Must See Destinations

Plan Your Visit to KP Hole Park

You still haven’t visited KP Hole Park? You just can’t get enough of the great outdoors. Ever since you were a kid, you’ve loved spending as much time as possible enjoying nature. Even now as an adult, you find yourself daydreaming about the adventures you’ll get up to this weekend, from hiking to kayaking to picnicking at the park.

And yet you still haven’t found the opportunity to make it to KP Hole Park, despite how often your friends and family talk it up.

Well, we think it’s high time you set aside a few minutes to finally plan your visit. A day of fun awaits at this park, no matter what recreational opportunities you choose to participate in.

If you’re ready to take a trip to KP Hole Park, keep reading! Below we’ll share everything you need to know about planning your visit, from the park’s history to its hours, location, and attractions.

About KP Hole Park

KP Hole Park
KP Hole Park

KP Hole Park is an established park with plenty of history! The park started in the 1920s as a place for boys to get away from it all. Shortly thereafter in the ‘30s, women were also allowed to use the park as a retreat for recreation.

Then, Marion County purchased the park in 1953 and opened it up to the public so that families can enjoy the Rainbow River. The park was run by contractors until 1993, at which point the County began direct oversight of the day-to-day operations (as it continues to do to this day!).

Today the park is used for numerous recreational activities, from tubing to swimming to boating and more. These activities largely center around the Rainbow River, which runs through KP Hole Park.

KP Hole Park
rainbow river

The Rainbow River is consider as important natural resource by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the National Parks Service. It’s fed by multiple springs, making it an intriguing and beautiful place to discover the natural world.

Things to Do at the KP Hole Park

KP Hole Park
Things to Do at the KP Hole Park

KP Hole Park has a diverse array of recreational opportunities, making it an excellent place to visit whether you’re heading out for a solo day of adventure or bringing the entire family with you. The park offers opportunities for swimming, paddling, tubing, and more.

If you’re looking to cover as much mileage as possible on the Rainbow River, you might plan for a day out on a boat. KP Hole Park offers kayak rentals with the cost of entry so you can paddle your way along the shore as you check out the park’s wildlife. And if your boat is motorized, you can make use of the park’s boat ramp. The boat launch fee is $20.

Those who want to take things a bit slower may consider a float down the river. Tubing season runs from April 1 to September 30.

During tubing season, you can rent tubes from the park during the hours of 8 AM to 12:45 PM. KP Hole Park’s tube rental package covers the park entry fee, tube rental, and the return shuttle and costs $25.

The float length depends upon how quickly the water is moving that day but has an average length of four hours. The float ends at Blue Run Park, at which point KP Hole Park will shuttle you back to the parking lot.

Take note that if you want to float the river, you must rent a tube from KP Hole Park; personal tubes aren’t allow. You’ll also be asking to leave alcohol and any disposable containers at home, as these aren’t permitted within the park.

After your day spent paddling, swimming, or tubing, take a breather and recharge with some food! Bring a picnic lunch to cap off your day while you spend time recounting your adventures with family or friends and enjoying the beautiful scenery around you.

Hours, Location, and Prices for the KP Hole Park

KP Hole Park is located about an hour and a half northwest of Orlando in Dunnellon. To get to the park, simply type the following address into your GPS:

9435 SW 190th Avenue Rd

Dunnellon, FL 34432

The park is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Hours differ depending on the season, with Florida’s long summer days meaning the park can stay open for longer. Before you leave, be sure to check out the table below to account for these different hours.

SeasonHours
Winter (October 1 to March 31)8 AM to 5 PM
Summer (April 1 to September 30)8 AM to 8 PM

Entry to the park costs $5 per person, which also includes the cost to rent paddle vessels like canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. The costs of other additional activities are list below:

  • Diving: $15
  • Motorized vessel: $20
  • Tubing package (includes entry fee, tube rental, and return shuttle): $25

Upon arriving, you can park in two different lots. The parking lot locate within the park follows the same hours as the park, while the one located across the street is open for 24 hours.

As such, to avoid getting locked into the park at closing time, use the 24-hour parking lot across the street if you plan to return to your vehicle after the park shut down. The last thing you want is to ruin your day of fun by being forced to find an alternative way home!

Wrap-Up

Now that you have all the details to plan your trip to KP Hole Park, what are you waiting for? There’s a whole host of activities to enjoy. Whether you choose to swim, tube, or kayak this time around. There’s always more to experience, making it an excellent destination to return to time and time again.