Paddling & Boating
Paddling & Boating in Dunnellon, FL
Dunnellon offers two beautiful rivers for kayakers to enjoy while they visit. Sometimes referred to as Two Rivers City, the Rainbow and Withlacoochee Rivers meet in Dunnellon between Centennial Park and Blue Run Park of Dunnellon.
Each river has it’s unique offerings. The Rainbow River is bright, spring-fed, 72 degrees, and crystal clear. On the contrary, the Withlacoochee river is steeped in Cypress leaves, leaving the water a dark tint. Lined with a shadowy canopy, there is abundant
The Rainbow River
Boating and Paddleboarding are the main attractions of the Rainbow River. While others might enjoy tubing down the river from Rainbow Springs or KP Hole, a kayak or stand-up paddleboard (SUP) gives you a unique perspective of the river that you can’t get from other modes of river adventures.
While paddling down the river, you’ll notice that you can see all the way to the bottom, even in the deep ends. This allows you to see a clear view of the freshwater fish like Largemouth Bass, Bluegills and Bowfin. If you adventure in the early morning or just before dusk, otters venture out to play and feeding on the large snails.
The Withlacoochee River
Dunnellon, Fl is the final stop on the South Withlacoochee Paddle Trail ( Click Here for the South Withlacoochee Paddle Guide ). The river flows from south to north lined with lush cypress floodplain swamp. It’s a great trail for beginners with great fishing and wildlife viewing.
This 76-mile-long trail was once a refuge for the Seminole Indians. While this is a long trail, there are many access points to make the trip manageable for first-timers or it offers camping for more seasoned kayakers.
