What unique features did Rainbow Springs State Park offer in the past?

Rainbow Springs State Park was once a privately owned tourist attraction that featured "sub-boats" with underwater viewing compartments and a "tree level" monorail with a view of a tropical bird aviary.

What activities can visitors enjoy at Rainbow Springs State Park today?

Visitors to Rainbow Springs State Park can enjoy a variety of activities, including tubing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and picnicking.

How did the development of the interstate highway system impact Rainbow Springs State Park?

The development of the interstate highway system in Florida eventually led to the demise of Rainbow Springs as a tourist attraction, as the interstate passed by the small towns that hosted such attractions, and newer, modern attractions in Orlando drew many visitors away from the older parks.

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

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

26 Oct, 2025

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Summary

Visitors discover a "new Florida experience" at Rainbow Springs State Park
Children delighted by seeing otters and underwater "forest" of fish and plants
Park's history as a former tourist attraction with unique features like "sub-boats"

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.