Floating in a tube on this popular Florida river can bring summer fun, instant relief from the heat

Mark H. Bickel, Fort Myers News-Press
·2 min read

We are fast approaching summer here in Florida, which means families will be looking for fun things to do to bridge the gap between that last day of school this month and the first day of school in August.

Where and how to cool off will certainly be near the top of the "things to do" list.

The most obvious options for this are Florida's beautiful coastal beaches and backyard or community swimming pools.

Maybe not so obvious would be floating down a river in an inner-tube.

Smithsonian Magazine recently revealed its Seven Perfect Summer Spots for Tubing in the United States and the Rainbow River in Dunnellon, Florida. The river is part of the Rainbow Springs State Park, located two hours north of Tampa in Marion County.

Highlighted in the Smithsonian article is the fact that "river tubing requires nothing more than an inflatable inner tube (or something similar) and some water."

In other words, for the most part it is economical for families that are looking to have fun and not blow their annual vacation budget.

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What Smithsonian Magazine said about tubing on the Rainbow River

Vacationing with her family from St. Petersburg, FL, Ryann Paredes, 7, relaxes in her tub before shoving off on a tube excursion on the Rainbow River Thursday morning, July 7, 2022 in Dunnellon, FL from KP Hole. People were kayaking and tubing on the Rainbow River as temperatures were soaring into the mid 90's today with a heat index well into the 100's. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]2022

"Just two hours north of Tampa is Florida’s Rainbow River, 5.7 miles of gently meandering waters brimming with fish like largemouth bass and shad, river otters, and even the occasional alligator. However, the latter doesn’t ward off tubers who come for the river’s crystal-clear waters, tucked among stands of tupelo and cypress trees.

The headwaters of the river, which features numerous vents that release millions of gallons of water daily, sit within Rainbow Springs State Park, a former tourist attraction that featured everything from glass-bottomed boat rides to submarine tours during the 1960s."

For a longer run, most tubers rent tubes at KP Hole County Park and meander downriver to Tuber’s Exit, an approximately four-hour journey. Those looking for a shorter, two-hour float should head to Rainbow Springs for a tram that will take you a couple of miles upstream. (Tubing isn’t allowed in the parks’ headwaters area.)

Vacationers to the Rainbow River tube on the Rainbow River out of KP Hole Thursday morning, July 7, 2022 in Dunnellon, FL. The Rainbow River is part of the Florida Wildlife Corridor which includes 17.7 million acres of land across Florida that residents are encouraged to explore and conserve. About 43% of Marion County is included in the corridor, including the Ocala National Forest and many area springs. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]2022

Smithsonian Magazine: Seven best places for tubing in America

More resources about the Rainbow River

From our archives: Floating on the Rainbow River in Dunnellon

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida staycation: Rainbow River in Dunnellon a tubing destination