Tubing, Snorkeling, and Otters: A Family's Unforgettable Adventure at Florida's Rainbow Springs

In October 2025, visitors to Rainbow Springs State Park, a designated national landmark about 20 miles west of Ocala, Florida, are discovering a "new Florida experience." A family from Jupiter, including sisters Ali Shelton and Christie De Rojas and their children, recently visited the park and were captivated by its natural beauty.

The family began their adventure with a tubing float on the Rainbow River, where the children were delighted to see otters playing in the wild. They then explored the park's headspring area, where the crystal-clear, sapphire-blue waters enchanted them. The children loved putting on goggles and seeing the underwater "forest" of fish and plants.

Rainbow Springs has a fascinating history as a former privately owned tourist attraction, with features like "sub-boats" with underwater viewing compartments and a "tree level" monorail. The park's development and eventual closure in the 1970s due to the rise of larger attractions in Orlando is chronicled in the on-site exhibits. In the 1990s, the park was acquired and reopened as a state park, with the support of local residents.

Today, Rainbow Springs offers a range of activities, including tubing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and picnicking, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of this national landmark.