KP Hole Park — Attraction in Ocala

Not for the faint of heart and totally should be on everyone’s bucket list!! The most fun, the most beautiful and toughest thing I have ever done!!! I fulfilled a life long dream to get on an inner tube and float down the 5.7 miles of the rainbow river letting the river take charge. WOWZA what an experience!!! Lots of fish, otters, birds, crystal clear waters so beautiful you don’t believe what you are seeing. I thought getting cold from the 72-74 degree water for almost 4-5 hours would be a challenge- totally not- the water is delightful and didn’t feel cold at all once I got in!!! Hacks: Pay for the VIP parking $20- guarantees you THE BEST PARKING spot and $5 off the rental of equipment- tube, kayak or canoe. I got the first parking place, only steps from the ticket counter and on Memorial Day weekend no less!!!!!! Wear water shoes - do not go barefoot (hot pavement when you get out and wait for the shuttle to take you back) and do not try to wear sandals- one step in the sand or mucky part of the river bottom and your shoes will be off. bring cash - there was no line at the cash only ticket booth and have money for the shuttle driver’s optional but sooo much deserved tip. I wanted to kiss him i was soo tired and thrilled to see him. they do NOT allow your own tube or float device- your choice is use their tube or bring or rent a kayak or canoe. Consider carefully. The inner tube looks like the easier or most relaxing choice but if you are fat and out of shape like me or have neck or rotator cuff injury- it’s a torture device on your neck or shoulders depending if you float on top of it or come up under and have the HUGE INNER TUBE under your shoulders and chest. You might want to consider paddle board or cameo. If they would have allowed a big pool noodle (IYKYK) I would go tubing EVERY DAY- comfortable and frees up the use of arms and legs for going down river. But since they do not allow your own tubes or noodles- perhaps consider the shorter float experience from the Rainbow River State Park- it’s about 1.5 miles and about a 2 hour float. - the one from the KP hole is approximately 4-4.5 hours - 5.7 miles. Many young and in shape people struggled too with the discomfort of the HUGE inner tube- so it just wasn’t an old, fat person problem. GET very close to the left bank of the river as you get to the KP hole TUBER pick up point- it’s just past SWAMPY’s, immediately after you go under the bridge- if you miss it and float by, you will find it VERY HARD to swim against the current to get back to the small and sorta poorly marked exit point. And it’s tough getting out- it’s a moss covered, water covered ramp and the water is higher than standing level. You can’t walk up the cement ramp cuz it’s shoulder height in the water. You have to float onto to in your tube or canoe or kayak or float your body over it, dragging yourself on your belly onto the ramp. Which is no small feat after almost 5 hours of holding yourself up with your shoulders!!! take water in a non-disposable container and tie it to you tube- getting it out of a dry bag that is attached to your tube is nearly impossible. I had mine in a dry bag and I was so exhausted and so few places to stand - I couldn’t get my water out of my bag and became quite dehydrated. the sun is real- I don’t use sunscreens cuz most have carcinogenic chemicals in them - I use Ion Skin Support from Intelligence of Nature- and even though I am a pale skinned formally redhead now grey, with tons of freckles - my skin got pink but I didn’t burn or blister after almost 5 hours in the sun, floating in reflective water - I didn’t hurt or peel later either!! AMAZING BALLS!! if you are a sunscreen person - use it. take a easy to eat snack in a non-disposable container.

I am definitely going back- I think I will either use a life vest the KP HOLE can provide and just tie the inner tube to me and I will just float in the water in a life vest, along side the tube OR try Rainbow River’s starting point - about a...

🌊 Overview & Ambience

KP Hole Park provides year-round access to the crystal-clear springs of the Rainbow River, consistently kept at about 72 °F—ideal for cooling off even on the hottest Florida days . The river’s clarity is extraordinary; one Reddit kayaker described it as “just unbelievable seeing this whole river pretty much looking like an aquarium” .

You’ll find lush riverside forests, abundant wildlife—fish, turtles, birds, maybe an otter or alligator—and a serene, natural escape. As Marion County notes, the park is a “family‑friendly” spot with picnic pavilions and grills, perfect for a relaxing day outdoors .

🚣‍♂️ Activities & Rentals

Tubing (April–September): Official park tubes only—personal ones not allowed. A standard tubing package (admission + tube + shuttle) runs $30, or $25 per person for groups of four+ . Floats take ~4 hours downriver.

Kayak, canoe & paddleboard rentals: Available all year. Single kayaks/canoes are $10/hr, double kayaks/paddleboards $12/hr. Downriver + shuttle combos also offered ($40–$50) .

Swimming: A lovely designated area with easy river access—pristine and refreshing .

⚠️ Practical Details

Fees: $7 entry per person; paddlers launching their own small craft pay $10 plus admission, motorized vessels $20 .

Hours: April 1–Sept 30: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.; Oct 1–Mar 31: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. .

Restrictions: No alcoholic beverages or disposable items; only official tubes allowed; no pets except service animals in park grounds (optional on private boats) .

🧭 Logistics & Visitor Tips

Shuttle timings: Rentals and shuttles typically wrap up by midday—arrive early, especially in summer, to secure your spot .

Capacity: The park can fill up—arriving early (8–9 a.m.) is ideal.

What to bring: Towels, water shoes, sunscreen, reusable water bottles, snacks or picnic lunch. No unexpected fees for parking.

👍 What Makes KP Hole Park Special

Stunning water clarity—frequently compared to an "aquarium" experience .

Variety of ways to enjoy the river—swimming, tubing, paddling, diving.

Scenic and family-friendly vibe, with grassy pavilions and a laid-back riverscape .

Rich local history dating back to the early 1920s as a retreat, now nestled within a Protected Aquatic Preserve .

👎 Considerations

Midday crowding, especially during peak season—arrive early.

Gear restrictions—strict policy on personal tubes and alcohol.

Shuttle cutoff by afternoon—plan logistics accordingly.

⭐ Final Verdict

KP Hole Park is a top-tier natural attraction in North-Central Florida. Its pristine waters, outdoor versatility, and laid-back atmosphere make it ideal for families, solo adventurers, and paddling enthusiasts. For best enjoyment: plan to arrive early, pick your adventure (swim, tube, or kayak), and soak in the beauty.

Rating: 4.5/5

🔗 Quick Summary

Feature Highlights

Water clarity “Looks like an aquarium” Activities Tubing, paddling, swimming Amenities Rentals, restrooms, pavilions Cost $7...

A group of us made the trip down the river in mid July and it was a lot of fun! Make sure to wear sunblock and bring it with you to reapply it is easy to get burnt down here! The trip took us somewhere between 4 - 5 hours. The water was very clear and beautiful. We saw a lot of fish, birds and beautiful river views along the way! For the most part we were able to just float down the river but ever now and then we had to paddle to get away from the edges but that is expected! There was a spot along the way that you could pull your tube to the side and use a rope connected to a tree to jump into the water, a lot of people had fun doing that! They do not let you bring in disposable containers so bring your water in a reusable water bottle and put any snacks into Tupperware dishes without their wrappers! There is a restaurant at the end of the tube trip. We didn't eat there but and after that long on the river you may be hungry so think about bringing some money/credit card in a waterproof safe place so you can eat before getting back on the shuttle! Also, it does fill up quickly so I suggest planning to get there early!

A few things to bring: Sunblock (a UV water shirt isn't a bad idea if you burn easy) Waterproof bag you can connect to your tube handle for belongings Rope to connect tubes Water shoes, there are rocks near entrance and exit Water in a non disposable container (they don't let you bring in any disposables) Money/credit card if you want to stop at the restaurant before getting...