6 Best Things To Do In Dunnellon, Florida

things to do in dunnellon florida
Kasey
Kasey 
Updated
| 3 min read

Dunnellon may not come off as an appealing place for a family vacation, but from golf lovers to kayakers, Dunnellon has plenty of activities to make your next vacation one to remember. Located southwest of Ocala, Dunnellon is covered with parks and places for outdoor activities that will keep you occupied throughout your visit. If you want to get back to the outdoors, this little town has everything you need to immerse yourself in the some of the greatest lakes and wooded areas Florida has to offer, without all of the tourists. If you have your own set of golf clubs, don’t forget to pack them on this vacation because first place on our list of things to do is Juliette Falls Golf Course.

1. Juliette Falls Golf Course

Golf course
Source: Pixabay

This family friendly golf course is open year round and is located near the Nature Coast. It was recently named in the top 10 new courses in the Nation. When you visit this low-key golf course you receive a complimentary bucket of range balls and you get access to the chipping area, clubhouse, driving range, practice greens and you can take lessons from some of the pros on site. Although this course is new, appropriate golf attire is required. You can even rent golf carts to help you get around this beautiful 10-acre (4 hectare) course!

Juliette Falls Golf Course

Address: 6933 SW 179th Ave Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432

Website: Juliette Falls Golf Course

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2. KP Hole Park

KP Hole Park (Marion County, FL)
Source: Photo by Flickr user Paul Clark used under CC BY 2.0

Florida is known for having a variety of springs to visit year round, regardless of the temperature outside. Each spring is always around 72°F (22°C) and crystal clear! For something more leisurely than a round of golf, you can migrate on down Rainbow River in a tube from KP Hole Park. Since it is a river tubing experience, you don’t end up where you started, but don’t worry. There is a shuttle service at the end of the course that will bring you back to the starting point. If you want a nice afternoon on the water with your friends or family, this tubing experience takes around 4 hours.

KP Hole Park

Address: 9435 SW 190th Avenue Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432

Website: KP Hole Park

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3. Rainbow Springs State Park

Rainbow Springs State Park pano02
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ebyabe used under CC BY 2.5

If you are interested in being by the water, but tubing isn’t your ideal activity, you can head to Rainbow Springs State Park! This park is located north of where KP Hole Park, where you can swim, canoe, or have a picnic. There are guided ranger tours where you can learn about some of Florida’s history. You can also take a stroll through the garden and if you wanted to launch into the outdoors on your visit, you can even camp at the designated campsites around the park. If you’re itching to get on the water instead of in it, there are boat tours available as well.

Rainbow Springs State Park

Address: 10830 SW 180th Avenue Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432

Website: Rainbow Springs State Park

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4. Captain Mike’s Lazy River Tours

Withlacoochee River facing north
Source: Photo by Flickr user B A Bowen Photogr... used under CC BY 2.0

If you are really interested in boating and getting a better view of the preserved forest areas in Dunnellon, you can take a Lazy River Tour with Captain Mike! These tours are known to be some of the most scenic tours in Florida. This tour goes down the Withlacoochee River, which flows right outside of Ocala. You will learn about the flora and fauna in Florida, along with some local history. Before or after your boat tour, you can eat at one of the best restaurants in the Dunnellon area, Stumpknockers. It is located right on the river and is where Captain Mike’s boat leaves from for every tour. You can learn more on his website.

Captain Mike’s Lazy River Tours

Address: 13821 SW State Rd 200, Dunnellon, FL 34432

Website: Captain Mike’s Lazy River Tours

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5. Nature Coast Manatee Tours

A snorkeler swims with florida manatee
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Hillebrand Steve,... used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Florida is known for having these large, grey, slow-moving sea cows called manatees. They are notoriously found in shallower, warmer waters and in Dunnellon, you can take a tour to see these large animals up close and personal! Floridians love manatees and this is your chance to get in the water with these humble creatures. Snorkel equipment is included in the tour price to ensure you have the opportunity to get face to mask with the gentle giants. If you or your family is looking for a more hands-on experience with what Florida has to offer, this tour is something you won’t want to miss. Over the summer, this tour also offers scalloping trips. You can learn more about these tours on their website.

Nature Coast Manatee Tours

Address: 7283 W Lincoln Ln, Homosassa, FL 34448

Website: Nature Coast Manatee Tours

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6. Captain Bob’s Airboats

Withlacoochee River
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user LittleT889 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

If you are looking for an adrenaline filled activity, Captain Bob’s Airboats is what you should do. You can take an airboat through the Withlacoochee River backwaters to look for alligators. You can fit 6 people on the boat and there are a variety of tour options from 1-2 hour rides to a sunset tour as well. To ensure you can experience the Withlacoochee River from an airboat during your visit, make sure you make a reservation for your party.

Captain Bob’s Airboats

Address: 12189 S Williams St, Dunnellon, FL 34432

Website: Captain Bob’s Airboats

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Looking for your next destination?

When looking for your next vacation or travel destination, don’t discount Dunnellon Florida. If you are a traveler who likes to stay off the beaten path and actually experience a location instead of the tourist traps, Dunnellon will give you an insight into Florida culture and wildlife. Another plus of visiting Dunnellon, is you can take a car into Ocala for shopping, restaurants and other activities, but at the end of the day you can retreat back to your quiet oasis and enjoy serenity and peace. Regardless of what you are looking for in a travel destination, Dunnellon has a wide range of activities centered around the wonderful outdoors.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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My name is Kasey Lynch and I have been traveling since I was 8 years old. I love being on the water and surrounded by friends and family. Traveling is a way to gain insight into other people's...Read more

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