Here on the Rainbow River, it’s a cool crisp winter day and about as peaceful as it can get. Compared to summer, when tubers and kayakers fill the river like a freeway most weekends, winter offers paddlers an exquisite experience combining relaxation and nature.
Just two hours north of Clearwater in the sleepy town of Dunnellon, the Rainbow River has long been a favorite of Central Florida paddlers. Its crystal clear, spring fed waters flow for 5.7 miles and are ideal for kayaking. The source of the river, Rainbow Springs, is located at the headwater in Rainbow Springs State Park. This first magnitude spring has an outflow of about 400-600 million gallons of cool 72 degree water daily year-round.
