05/21/2026
When Rainbow Springs State Park was an attraction
Rainbow Springs ca. 1972: A leaf-shaped gondola from the Forest Flight monorail glides over a scenic waterfall at the old roadside attraction near Dunnellon – now a Florida State Park.
The monorail opened to the public in 1968. Florida’s then-governor, Claude Kirk, delivered a dedication speech to the assembled riders on opening day and then tried a gondola for himself. While Rainbow Springs’ glass-bottom submarine boats had provided water-level views of the springs since the 1930s, the new Forest Flight ride gave visitors a “tree level” experience of the surrounding area and aviary.
The Rainbow Springs attraction closed in 1974 but reopened as Rainbow Springs State Park in 1995, with a focus on historical interpretation, conservation and quiet recreation like kayaking and tubing.
Explore more photos of Florida’s historic aerial rides at the State Archives of Florida. ✴️
📷Department of Commerce collection. State Archives of Florida, Image DC725918.