Upper Rainbow Falls

An ultra-popular hike to a stunning waterfall.

Hiking Easy

Distance: 3.8 km
Ascent: 119 m
Descent: 119 m
Duration: 0-1 hrs

Low Point: 2.2 km
High Point: 2.3 km
Gradient: 5˚

The hike to Rainbow Falls follows a wide, extremely popular sandy trail. Despite being located in the John Muir Wilderness Area, this short hike is an ultra-popular tourist jaunt. When you reach the overlook for Upper Rainbow Falls, you’ll see why: Rainbow Falls is a stunning 101-foot-tall cascade in a rugged rock canyon.

Photo from Upper Rainbow Falls — Photo: Trevor Benedict

Description

Bring your cameras: this waterfall is extremely photogenic! To best capture the colorful rainbow mist, try to reach the falls at midday when the sun is highest in the sky (Source).

During peak tourist season, you’ll have to board a mandatory shuttle at the Mammoth Adventure Center in order to reach the trailhead. Personal vehicles are allowed up the road to the trailhead outside of the shuttle season.

Sources: https://www.mammothtrails.org/trail/78/rainbow-falls-trail/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DevilsPostpileNationalMonument https://www.visitmammoth.com/adventure/rainbow-falls

Difficulty

Easy

Walking along a well-kept trail that’s mostly flat. No obstacles are present.

Low Exposure

The path is on completely flat land and potential injury is limited to falling over.

Remoteness

Close to help in case of emergency.

Best time to visit

Features

Similar routes nearby

Devils Postpile to Upper and Lower Rainbow Falls

Visit both the upper and lower falls on this hike.

Moderate Hiking

Distance: 6 km
Ascent: 193 m
Descent: 193 m

240 m away

PCT: Red's Meadow to Tuolumne Meadows

Miles 906.7-942.5 of the northbound PCT: From Devils Postpile National Monument to Yosemite National Park, through the photo-famous landscape of Ansel Adams Wilderness.

Moderate Hiking