Rainbow River Canoe & Kayak — Attraction in Dunnellon

My wife, daughter (older), and I went on a trip down the Rainbow River this last weekend. The folks at Rainbow River Canoe & Kayak were exceedingly patient and helpful for this trip. Since I was coming in from several hours away, I was delayed in arriving at their shop. We called to let them know that we wouldn't be there at our scheduled time. They were gracious and rescheduled to a later time for us. All there were friendly and very accommodating.

Their shop was clean and inviting. It was a little hard to find, but that is what Google maps is for on a mobile phone! They explained the river on a large map to us and what we should expect along the way. Everything was exactly as they described. They told us about the extra $5 fee that would be needed per person at the boat launching location. They again announced it SEVERAL times before we left their shop location. If you get to the launch location without knowing this, it isn't their fault.

Ron, our driver and boat launching expert, had the patience of a saint! I'm sure that he has to deal with a lot of camp-song's while driving the bus to the launch site. Our trip was no exception.

As for your traveling experience up the river and back down...Don't attempt to get out of your boat at the headwater spring location. You must pay the $2 fee at their landing location if you are going to be personally in the water there. They will keep you corralled in the roped off area there. Otherwise, the tyrant...uhh, I mean park official, will come out blowing her whistle at you and do a lot of yelling. Even if you get off your boat and swim in the roped off area...no $2...no swimmy. You can paddle the area at the headwater, but not get out of your boat.

If you do want to get into the water on the river, just be sure not to be in the park area near the headwaters! There is a sign warning you as to where that area begins. The water is crystal clear the entire way and we saw many colorful large fish and an otter. The current is VERY strong, so be cautious! Stay very near to your boat. This is fresh water, so you don't float like in the ocean.

We took the route leaving the launch site and going upstream to the headwaters. Then went back down all the way to where the rivers meet and came back out at the shop location. It was a total round trip of about 4 hours for us. Make sure you think about sunscreen or covering a bit or you will get sun burned.

If I do this trip again, I will use these people. There are probably cheaper ways to paddle this river, but they were exceptionally friendly and good at...

At the end of the river tour, a team member directed me to bring my truck over to the landing and offered his assistance while my sons and I tended to our kayaks. I politely declined and continued the onload, as the three of us had arrived earlier than the rest of our party and I had the team member’s permission to wait and load the remaining two kayaks.

Despite ADA/Disabled Veteran tags clearly displayed on my vehicle and a member of our party walking with a cane, a different team member, the shuttle bus driver, pulled up with the bus and honked his horn as we were nearing completion of the onload. He did NOT get out and offer any assistance, however he did make “hurry up” gestures. This was no surprise, as this same employee was hardly helpful when we arrived—barking orders on how/where to park (although earlier another team member had welcomed me to the site and politely told me where to park).

After paying $117 to have our own kayaks shuttled to the launch, listening to this same bus driver scold passengers for talking as if this was a school bus, and getting a horn blown at us as if we were being a nuisance rather than offering any assistance, I decided I had enough of his badgering. When he came out of the shuttle bus and told me that I had to move (he’ll attest that he came out to offer help: totally false), I told him that he had been barking orders at me since I arrived and now he can “Go F off!” He replied, “I will as soon as you move out of here.” I didn’t stick around to speak to any management. Waste of time.

Banned? GLADLY! I prefer using apps like GoPaddling to enjoy our country’s great rivers, lakes and canals anyway. With just a little bit of research and planning, one can easily find sooooo many other options to explore Florida without dealing with establishments such as this.

Here’s a helpful hint if you do decide to use this establishment’s services: don’t worry about bringing cash for the $7.00 launch fee at the park. They take plastic. It’s just an angle Rainbow River Canoe and Kayak use to make sure you have cash for the not-surprisingly empty tip jar on the shuttle bus. It’s a shame, because ALL of the other staff were exceptionally...

We had a great time Kayaking & Paddle-boarding on the Rainbow River with Rainbow River Canoe & Kayak. They were especially helpful & accommodating, since I originally booked our float for the wrong day/week & were able to squeeze us in on the day of. We floated with them twice last week & check-in, drop off, shuttle, & get-out were all a breeze. My friend took her inflatable kayak the first trip & we both paddle boarded the 2nd trip. The staff were very friendly & knowledgeable. We enjoyed getting to know Brett & Derrick. (Jack you were nice too but we didn’t meet you till the 2nd day—thanks for the recommendation about Homosassa Springs—we made the trek!) Very down-to-earth people & we enjoyed the many laughs & conversation! We were very impressed with the beauty of the Rainbow River & all the wildlife we were able to experience. If it weren’t for some tips & tricks mentioned by the guys at RRC&K, we would have missed out on some pretty cool things! Lovely business & lovely people—we’ll definitely be back to both Rainbow Springs & RRC&K! :) P.S. Derrick—Goodluck in Maine & we hope you enjoy it! Eat plenty of Lobster & soak up family time! Brett—We hope you continue to enjoy your semi-retirement & the upcoming Football Season! :) You...