The cool, clear waters of the headsprings are incredibly refreshing place to swim. The average depth in the natural swimming area runs from 10 to 18 feet, and the water temperature averages 72 degrees year-round.

The water in Florida’s Rainbow River stays a constant 72°F (22°C) year-round. This temperature is maintained because the river is fed by first-magnitude artesian springs that pump out hundreds of millions of gallons of water daily from the underground Floridan Aquifer. Because the water temperature remains stable regardless of the air temperature, the river feels strikingly different depending on the season: in the sweltering heat of a Florida July, the 72-degree water feels ice-cold and incredibly refreshing, providing an instant "cold plunge" effect. Conversely, on a chilly winter morning in January, the water can feel "steamy" and relatively warm compared to the outside air. This constant temperature makes the Rainbow River a popular destination for tubing, kayaking, and snorkeling throughout the year, as it never reaches the freezing temperatures of northern rivers, though most swimmers find a thin wetsuit helpful if they plan to stay submerged for more than an hour.