How To Find A 1930s Amusement Park at Rainbow Springs State Park
Rainbow Springs State Park is partly man made and partly nature. The site once was the home of mammoths, Native American, and a town named Juliette which helped mine phosphate in the area. But in the 1930s, it became a theme park with glass boat rides, a zoo, a monorail, a rodeo, and more. But the theme park closed in 1974 as Orlando opened up with Disneyland and other more modern attractions.
As you enter the park, you have to pass over a railroad crossing. The park once had visitors coming by railroad. It was like a car is today to get everyone to the park.
The State took over and opened the park back up in 1974 with trails, a swimming area, tubing, canoeing, kayaking, and so much more. The park has three entrances. One for camping, one for tubing, and one for everything else. I went to the one for everything else.
As you enter the gates, this is your view from the cafe and gift shop. It is enough not to go any further into the park. But it gets even better!
The greenery is all around with the spring everywhere.
The swimming are looked wonderful but I did not have a bathing suit yet to try it out.
Seminole Falls is part of a hike that will take you up into the hills of the park. It is man made but still beautiful. The different birds that fly in and out of the trails include woodpeckers, hawks, owls, and lots of different songbirds.
On the first part of the trail, one side is the man made but the other side is still the natural springs that once was the place that mammaths would bath in.
The mix make this an incredible park to visit.
Rainbow Falls is man made but it make it no less wonderful to sit for a moment and listen to the sounds.
A smaller falls which is just across from Rainbow falls. The path can take you up to the top of Rainbow falls or up to the old zoo, a butterfly garden, and more trails.
The old zoo is abandoned now. The cages are small compared to what we would feel is correct for today’s standards. But it is amazing history for that was considered state of the art in the 1930’s.
The area around the zoo also is a wonderful picnic area so you should bring a lunch and a book to really enjoy a lazy day.
The old rodeo barn has long ago disappeared but the foundation is left to view and to the left of it is the Butterfly Garden.
The butterfly garden was a bit in winter mood but it was still very pretty. Behind the butterfly garden is several trailheads which run through the park.
The Yellow Trail which is 1.73, the Blue Trail which is .72, and the White Trail which is 1.96.
I took the trails a bit and they are wonderful. Nice and very relaxing. But take a lot of water as it can be very hot and needed depending on the weather.
Back at Rainbow Falls, I went up to the top of the falls.
That allows you to see the water as it makes it decent over the mountain.
At the top of the mountain is also a few great little ponds.
Plus a great view down to the Rainbow River.
Walking from the gift shop to the swimming are is this really great view of Rainbow River.
The swimming area had lots of people in it. It was only about 50 degrees out but the water stays at over 70 degrees year round. I really wanted to swim but I had Olive Oil with me and I had not buy a bathing suit yet but look how inviting the water looks!
The park is also littered with squirrels.
I loved watching the little fish as well. The park has so many opportunities to enjoy your day. They also rent canoe, kayaks, and other boats. Tubing is one of the big things to do but they are closed in the winter. They open up in April. But It is a great place to visit.