I found a secret waterfall at this Florida park

What better time to start chasing waterfalls then now?

Well, maybe now isn't the best time with social distancing and quarantine in place and such, but you can definitely put "Florida waterfall hunting" on your future to-do list.

Many people may think Florida should be full of waterfalls, after all, we are a lot like a rainforest in many ways -- however, that's not the case.

Anyone who is familiar with the landscape of the state knows that it's generally very flat and not much higher than sea level. There are no mountain ranges, no rolls hills, and not much for water to actually "fall" off of.

It's really no wonder that cascades are an oddity here; which makes finding one just that much more exciting.

If you fancy seeing a rare Florida fall, then I have just the spot for you.

Better yet, the location is super easily accessible and cheap to visit, I actually stumbled across it completely by accident while checking out a different state gem.

This unique spot is located inside of Rainbow Springs State Park, in Dunnellon. (Just over an hour and a half drive from Tampa & Orlando).

If you have a spare $2 for the entrance fee and a good pair of walking shoes, you can enjoy the sound of roaring waters only a few feet away.

Notice how I said a few feet away...

There are barriers stopping tourists from climbing onto the landscape and accessing the falls. So you will have to admire from behind the fence, but don't worry there, there are still plenty of good photo ops.

The falls are man-made, which might make them a little less spectacular for some; but for others, it's no less impressive.

I know what you're thinking, "anyone can make a waterfall, there's nothing special about a man-made one." Well, actually, there's a lot of special things about this one. In fact, there's an entire page written about the history of it on the official park site.

So yeah, it's certainly not your average backyard waterfall!

I think what makes this cascade so well hidden is that no one really comes here for it, and it's located off of a short beaten path. Despite how amazing a waterfall is, especially in these parts, the park is actually best known for its enchanting blue springs swimming hole (photos here).

If you are planning a trip here, do note that weekends are usually packed. When I went on a Saturday I sat in a line for two hours waiting for a parking spot. Weekdays are a much better time to visit, but the park does still tend to fill up at peak hours.

Another really cool feature of this park is that there are miles of trails to explore, and you can bring your pooch. Dogs aren't allowed in the swimming area, but you can certainly bring them along as a hiking companion.

Happy waterfall hunting!
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To find out more about the park, hours of operation and more things to do, click here.