Pro tip: Take the shuttle (approximately $15 per person round-trip). You take it from the Main Lodge and they run every 20-30mins from 7amish to 730pmish (as of Aug 2025). You want to get off at Red's Meadow and hike to the falls. It's easy-easy/moderate and is the shortest distance to the falls. Do not take it from Devil's Postpile because it will add 1.5 miles of open sun hike to the falls. Once there, reward yourself with glass of wine and lunch. The water is cool to cold (depending on the time of year) and refreshing. Highly recommended read more

Rainbow Falls - Hiking Near Me

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There's almost a guaranteed rainbow and maybe even a double rainbow if you're lucky at Rainbow Falls! From the shuttle stop, it's a 1.6 mile exposed hike to the falls, then some stairs to the bottom. We were prepared wearing our swimsuits to take a dip in the frigid water! Totally worth it. So beautiful! read more

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This review is for Rainbow Falls via Devils Postpile Trail which was a ~5 miles round trip that took ~2.5 hour to complete. This was a stunning hike with the columnar basalt formations near the beginning of the trail and ending at a raging waterfall! Trail was mostly a wide dirt path through the forest with minimal elevation changes. Furthermore, the trail ends with a steep steps to the bottom of the waterfall! Minimal mosquito presence. Free to drive your vehicle to trailhead on Saturday before 7am. Or pay ticket prices for shuttle bus after 7:30am. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/s8IXtE0SboY read more

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Amazing!!! Best hike I have ever been on. I'm happy I got to connect with nature. I will definitely be back soon.

Came on a busy summer weekend when we were required to take a shuttle. This hike is about 3 1/2 miles round trip depending on where you start and end with significant elevation drops and gains but is SO worth it. Our 8 and 12 year old did it with only a little bribing. Highly recommend ending at Red Meadow so you can eat at the delicious cafe or have a cold drink from the market surrounded by the gorgeous-ness of the area! read more

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I began at Devils Postpile and continued Pat for two miles to reach the falls. It is a beautiful large fall 100 feet high and a good width too. There are three official viewing spots, two up top and one at the base of the falls. To get to the base you do have to climb down some fairly steep steps and navigate the boulders and rocks at the bottom. Not too bad but not for everyone depending on their balance and physical abilities. I sat and at lunch at the base. It was cooler down there too which provided some relief after the hike which was mostly in the sun. Lots of places to grab photos as everyone around was doing. It was particularly pretty with small groves of golden aspen along parts of the trail. read more

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If you're looking for a beautiful accessible family hike in Mammoth - Rainbow Falls is it. Just be sure to arrive on the earlier side (it does get busy later on in the day), and be sure to go down the stairs to get the full stunning rainbow view. We had a lovely time and it was fun seeing all of the young children frolicking in the water while their parents waded in with beaming smiles - beneath the rushing falls. Trust. read more

The falls are beautiful and worth the hike. We had to buy tickets and take a mandatory bus from the Mammoth Activity area near the mammoth statue. The ride was nice and the driver pointed out several things along the way. You can get off and on the bus throughout the day at a variety of stops. To go to Rainbow Falls, you exit at stop 9 or 10 and the hike there is mostly downhill, so the way back is uphill. I would estimate that it is around 3 miles round trip and you should bring water (signs recommended 3 liters) and dress in cool clothing. Once at the falls, there are three viewing points with two being above and one is down some steep steps below the falls. We found the first gave the best view of the rainbow at around midday while the lower one allowed you to feel the cool mist of the water. If you aren't seeing the rainbow and the sun is above, take off your polarized sunglasses. Enjoy! read more

Rainbow Falls - Falls with a fisheye. - Hiking Near Me

"Somewhere over the Rainbow (Falls) ....and dreams that you dream of... dreams really do come true," remember this song? As it was a dream of mine to experience Rainbow Falls in person and I finally did! Not only that, but have the honor of writing the first Yelp review too ....YYYYEEEEAAAHHH!!! I'm feeling pretty badass and happy right now (YAY!!). If you park in Devils Postpile parking lot, it's a 2.5 mile hike to Rainbow Falls and the trek is so worth the views. This hike is an easy, clear straightforward -so please don't get intimidated by thought of possibly getting lost and/or reading 2.5 miles. I recommend a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and a small bottle of water for the trek to the falls. Anyhow, Rainbow Falls is the highest waterfall on the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River, in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. Rainbow Falls is an absolutely gorgeous view of water cascading 101 feet ...and that sight will get definitely get one hooked on chasing waterfalls (I know that's how my boyfriend and I felt)...and if your lucky, with the right sunlight -you can catch a rainbow over the falls too! read more

Rainbow Falls - Rainbow falls - Hiking Near Me

A short hike from the postpiles and well worth the trip. Be sure to go down to the base since you are there. read more

Rainbow Falls - Hiking Near Me

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I never realized how underrated Mammoth is. There's a bunch of campsites and hikes passed the resort and Rainbow Falls was one of the hidden gems. Getting there: You will pass Mammoth resort and ski lift, where you will come to the entrance of the park. The fee is $10 per day, and they only accept credit/debit cards. (If you have a National Park pass I believe they are accepting those as well, but I would double check). One mile past the Eureka Diggins Area the pavement ends. From there drive 2.5 miles to a point where the road forks; take the left fork, staying on Road #25. After 1 mile Road #25 veers to the left. Stay on Road #25 (do not take Road #25-29). After 1.5 miles more the road forks again. Take the left fork, still Road #25 (do not take Road #25-31). Continue for 1.7 miles to the next fork. This time take the right fork (do no take Road #25-32, which leads to the Morristown Diggings). Driving the last 0.7 miles, you will reach the trailhead where there is ample parking in the lot. Experience: Rainbow Falls via Devils Postpile Trail is a 5-6 mile hike round trip. There were a ton of people at the trailhead, so we made sure to keep a breathable mask on around people. After passing the Devil's postpile, the amount of traffic drops because there are a lot of up inclines and declines. Once you reach the waterfall, you'll see an aerial view from the top. In order to get in the water, you have to hike down either via the steep stairs that will take about 5-10 minutes or through the trail that takes about .5 miles. The views are totally worth it! Tips: - Bring proper hiking shoes. The terrain is a little rough, and if you do not have proper shoes you could hurt yourself. - Bring snacks and lots of water. Regardless of your endurance, you'll want to bring water and snacks. The hike isn't that long, but it did take us about 3-4 hours (including hanging out at the waterfall). read more

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A great short hike! Come early, and be rewarded for it! Parking/location: HUGE HUGE importance to come early! Sunrise was about 6:20 and we made a big effort to come there by 5:45 or so to make it in time. Another vague information I found useful is that if you're planning to go to Rainbow Falls AND Devils Postpile, park at Devils Postpile. This way it's a straight hike to both. You'll hit Postpile and then in 2 miles, Rainbow Falls. Only park at Rainbow Falls parking if that's your only goal. It's a straight shot from parking to there. 0.5-1 mile distance and easy. Helpful tips: 1. No bathrooms, so baby wipes is a must. 2. Come by sunrise, you'll miss the parking fee and the long waits for pictures and parking headaches. 3. Once at Rainbow Falls, cross the slippery log to get right at the base for some amazing portrait photos. 4. Devils Postpile was meh. It's a see there been there kind of deal. We think the hike to Rainbow was enough personally. Overall, well kept, amazing time at Rainbow Falls!! Please don't litter your masks and keep this place as nature intended it to be! read more

Rainbow Falls - Morning sunrise views - Hiking Near Me

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This is an amazing hike! We parked at the Devils Postpile National Monument parking lot. After you see the Devils Postpile you continue down the path and follow the signs to Rainbow falls. It is somewhat of a moderate hike. We did see kids and dogs on the hike, but many little children were crying and it was too much for them. Most people were respectful, wearing masks and stepping off the trail for each other. The trail has some narrow spots. There are a lot of beautiful tree trunks, scurrying little chipmunks, and birds. The trails are well marked and when you get to the fork you can either take Rainbow Falls or Lower Falls. We did Rainbow first. There are several spots that you can view from up top and then stairs depending to the bottom. Believe me the stairs are steep. Once you get to the bottom you can either wade through the water or climb over the rocks to get to the falls. The mist is heavy so be careful of your phones when taking pics. Many people were swimming and it was very cold water. Some brought masks to view under the water. There were dogs at the bottom, but not in the water. The sun came out and there was the most beautiful Rainbow over the falls, it was breathtaking. We headed back up the steps and headed to Lower Falls. Review coming soon. Highly recommend Rainbow Falls. read more

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2 options to begin the hike - either from 1) devil's postpile (which seems longer) or 2) rainbow falls trailhead. We went to devil's to start. We went on a Wednesday at 1pm and parking was available. Folks were on the trail but it not crowded at all. Most of the time we had the trail to ourselves. A lot of folks also have masks when we went. It is NOT for the faint of heart. While it is mostly flat, there are grooves and climbs along the way (both there and back). If you're doing devil's postpile route, I wouldn't recommend doing the devil's loop. It took an extra 20 minutes. The view up top was nice but I can't say it's worth the detour (especially cause it was SO uphill!) I'm not gonna lie I was ready to give up on mike 4 on the way back, especially with the sun beating so hard. Started at 1:45pm, and finished around 4:30pm with all the breaks and stops. The stairs take you to the lower falls but beware below - no folks with masks as they take swims! read more

Rainbow Falls - The waterfall - Hiking Near Me

Easy trail. Go early to avoid the crowds. The mountain has a mandatory shuttle service 7am-7pm, I got there before 7am, just follow the directions on google, parking is simple, bring lunch to make it romantic, hang out, and continue down to the lower falls if you want a better workout. There is a restroom near parking#9, ladies bring your own wipes and work on your squats because my oh my, some bears or people like to piss on the toilet seat instead of inside the hole. read more

Rainbow Falls - Made it - Hiking Near Me

If you're looking for a short family friendly hike this is it! You will need to get on a shuttle, which is $15 per adult and $7 for children. It runs from 7am-7pm. To get to the falls you can hike from devils post pile and hike to rainbow falls or get off on stop#9. The last shuttle picks up from the village at 8:45am and throughout the day at the adventure center. We got the shuttle from the village, which worked out best because not everyone that was picked up at the adventure center was able to grab a seat. The ride is approximately 25 minutes. We went to rainbow falls from bus stop 9 and it was really easy. Our group had small children ages 2, 3, 5 and 6. They walked the entire time. Once you get to rainbow falls you can view the fall from upper level or go down the stairs, which are pretty steep. The scenery is very beautiful, I recommend this hike to everyone! read more

Rainbow Falls - Rainbow falls - Hiking Near Me

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Gorgeous falls pretty impressive amount of water even at the end of summer. Two look out spots and you can even go an extra half mile down to the bottom of the falls if you want to. Some wooden benches along the area to have a snack and enjoy the view. read more

Yes this place is breathtaking amazing relaxing water feels so nice me and my family love this place I will definitely come back again 07/2022 read more

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With global warming and having hiked in Oahu recently this year, I wasn't expecting much from this waterfall. However, it blew away my expectations - it's a legit waterfall. The name did not disappoint, as we totally saw a rainbow glisten through the falls. We drove to Red Meadows Resort and took the very full bus to Devil's Postpile. Don't let the number of tourists deter you though, they're mostly there to see Devil's Postpile and then to head back. After a short .4 mile hike to the Postpile, continue ~2.7 miles of mostly flat wide trail to the falls. Then, it's only a 1.3 mile mildly uphill climb back to the resort. There's also some stairs on the side where you can go to the base of the falls. read more

Rainbow Falls - Hiking Near Me

Definitely worth the hike. With all that I read about the hike I thought it was going to be 2-2.5 miles each way. Well here is a photo of a sign where we started. For the most part I would say anyone can do this hike. While on the hike I saw 2 elderly people that needed some type of walking support. I won't say they made it without challengE, but they did make it. To get down to the base of the falls it is a pretty steep staircase. The stairs are much taller than normal stairs. However if you can't make it down there are still 2 great spots to view the falls from the top. read more

Beautiful. Well worth the nice hike. My wife, baby and self did the loop past devils postpile to the falls and back to the main parking. We went off season in October before the park closes for the year so we were able to avoid the busses. The weather was perfect. The hike wasn't particularly tough even carrying a backpack with a baby. The falls are beautiful but my favorite part was walking through the valley and checking out the mountains. read more

Getting to Rainbow Falls: drive through on Minaret Road, pay $10 with card (no cash) at the check point before the Minaret Vista and then drive all the way for miles until it ends and park at the very very end of the road on lot #10. Then you get your compass on your phone and literally head South from the lot and then you'll see a stable for horses, and soon the entrance to the trail. If you had gone north, you would be by the camp ground with a general store and a restaurant and clean bathrooms, FYI. The trail is not hard so there were many kids 7 years of age and up and elders too going up and down the trail. After about an half hour trail through the woods, go down some steep steps (don't worry it has hand rails), you get to the bottom of the waterfall. Bring water shoes so you can go walk by the river bed. It is freezing though, don't forget!!! I could not get in the water! It's a beauty by the waterfall. I'm happy to say everyone were being respectful and wearing masks to adhere to the pandemic rules and regulations. read more

I feel so blessed to have found this great little piece of Heaven in Mammoth. It's a fairly easy, couple-mile-long hike, and of course beautiful all the way! The falls are gorgeous...unfortunately we didn't get there at the right time to catch the rainbow, but it was stunning nonetheless! I highly recommend going early to avoid the crowds. We got there at about 8:00 AM and it was perfect. Looking forward to this and other hikes next time we're in the area! read more

This hike will always be memorable for us. It was a nice 2.5 mile hike to the falls that was mostly easy. We took the route to the top of Devil's Postpile which took some more effort, but most of the hike was just weaving through a pretty flat trail. At a constant walking pace it takes about an hour to reach the falls so bring plenty of water, and maybe some snacks. Once reaching the top of the waterfall there are some spots to stop and capture amazing photos. This is where I proposed to my girlfriend at the time, and the pictures turned out incredible. There are some steep steps that have a wire cable for stability to help you get down to the base of the waterfall. The water is VERY cold so be prepared if you plan to go in. We went in August when it was hot, and the water was still cold to us and anyone else we talked to. You can walk through it, go swimming in it, and even hike around to get behind the waterfall but you WILL get wet going that far back. The hike back (and even there) provides two routes, one of which shortens the hike to the falls by about a mile. We took the long way to enjoy the scenery a bit more. Overall though this was our favorite of all the hiking spots we went to during our trip. read more

Rainbow Falls - Getting engaged at the top of the falls - Hiking Near Me

This hike is one that has been special to my family as they have been taking me since I was in a stroller. This is now a place that I take my friends and will take my own family in the future. It's only $10 to drive in, but I recommend just buying the annual pass for the National Parks as it gives you more options of places to visit all over the US. Get here early because it can be crowded mid-day, especially during the summer and early Fall. I always hike in with an extra little bag to pick up trash that people leave behind, as this space is very important to me. read more

Easy hike, lots of water. FYI, ppl are saying go early to avoid the entrance fee. Rangers charge you as you leave. Unless you want to spend the whole day there from before 7a to after 7p, which is pointless just to avoid a $10 entrance fee. Also, everything says MANDATORY shuttle. It's not, so don't get suckered into paying $15 per adult and $7 per kid. Get there early to avoid ppl and cars so you can get parking. Done deal. We arrived at rainbow falls trailhead at 645a and got done by 11a, drove to postpile's parking lot and did the quick walk up to see it. We got parking for both sites and paid the $10 fee at the exit. We saved $69 from not taking their "mandatory" shuttle. read more

A definite must visit when visiting DPP NM! You can do a 2.5mi one-way hike from DPP or drive up the road to the 1.5mi trailhead. The trail is well-marked, but can be a bit strenuous in parts due to the altitude. When you arrive at the falls, it is an overlook, but you can go down stair that take you to the bottom of the falls. There were several people swimming, but the water looked fairly cold. The falls were not flowing at full-force due to the season and the drought, but they were still spectacularly beautiful! read more

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Stunning! Don't jump off of this one though. This is a great waterfall to take photos of, not jump off of. As an adventure enthusiasts who likes to cliff jump, I can see someone wanting to do that here. I would strongly recommend against that. The waterfall is strong and the bottom is difficult to see. With that height, you can seriously injure yourself or perhaps be killed. Traveler Tip: if the waterfall is flowing then don't go under it where the water lands. It can push you under and perhaps even drown someone who is not a strong swimmer. I'm a fellow traveler so I appreciate when other people have given me tips/recommendations while in a new city. If this information is helpful, please let me know by hitting the like button. Even if this review helps only one traveler then it's worth it to know I'm contributing towards making someone's experience better, giving to the global community, and paying it forward. Safe Travels! read more

Beautiful easy hike. About 1.5 miles one way with beautiful views. Took my 8 and 6 year old and it was doable for them. Totally worth the views and highly recommend. We were told by Mammoth main Lodge that you had to take shuttle so we spent $8 a ticket with our group of 13 to find out we could of drove there and pay $10 entry fee instead. Not sure why were told that but could have saved money and time because you do spend a lot of time waiting. Could be because of busy summers but there was plenty of parking that we saw around 3:00 when we arrived. read more

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beautiful place. Simply great view we walked around 20 minutes but it was totally worth it read more

Rainbow Falls - Rainbow fall - Hiking Near Me

It is a good day hike. Pictures from the top is great. But need to experience the fall by hiking down to the bottle of the pool. Some people swim the cold water during summer time. Live life to its fullest. read more

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The best way to hike Rainbow Falls is way early in the morning and on the weekdays. We woke up at 5:45 am and drove down to Reds Meadow by 6:30 am. We arrived right after 7 am and the parking area was already filling up (very limited ~30 cars at most). There are 2 bathrooms if you need to go before you hike (highly recommend) but you should bring your own sanitary wipes as there is no soap in the bathroom. My family had 3 dogs and daughter in tow and it's a good 2 mile hike one way if you are wanting to see the Lower Falls (.7 additional from Rainbow Falls). It took as some time as we let our 3 year old daughter hike some of the way. It's $10 for parking and it's worth spending time with family in the morning when it's not too hot. Bring snacks and don't forget the water. I don't recommend doing the shuttle as you will be doing too much waiting and you have to catch the shuttle at the main lodge. If you don't get to the main lodge at a decent hour, you'll park far and have to walk to catch the shuttle on the way down and on the way up and have to walk back to the car. (I'm exhausted just writing about it). And I'm sure that the bus gets crowded and stuffy..Plus I'm scared of heights so I was able to remind my husband 3-5 times to hug the mountain side when we were going home. Overall it was a great experience. I recommend this hike to anyone because if I can do it I'm sure anyone else can (even my 3 year old daughter did). read more

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This is a must see waterfall in the Devils Postpile National Park. It's an easy hike down but can be strenuous on the way up if you are not accustom to hiking at high elevations. The trail is well maintained and there are lots of informational plaques. Don't forget to take water. Definitely hike in the early morning because there isn't much shade due to wildfires and there will be less people on the trail. Take the extra time to hike to the lower falls where the views are even more spectacular. Stop for snacks and beer at the small convenience store when you are done. Flushing toilets are available there also. read more

Rainbow Falls - Hiking Near Me

Easy hike, steps to rainbow falls are a little narrow and steps, so take it slow and everyone was very cautious and patient read more

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Good hike from the Red Meadows visitor center. Easy trail just expose to the sun. Hiking shoes is great if you plan to go to the lower falls. The falls is magical with the rainbow! Good family/kids activity. read more

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Great hike, beautiful views, ice cold lake to jump in afterwards! We didn't get to the main waterfall in the hike we followed unfortunately, but we did end at a smaller one which was still cool. Ice cold water where you're swimming with the fishes! read more

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An amazing place to visit highly recommend for everyone!!! The hike is a little long but well worth the experience. read more

Rainbow Falls - From the top of the water fall - Hiking Near Me

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Hreat hike from the Devils Postpile monument. The reward is this beautiful waterfall to refresh. A must see while in Mammoth. read more

Rainbow Falls - Hiking Near Me

Now THAT'S a waterfall. I love the various vantage points each with its own spectacular view. The hike itself is pretty easy and only took a few hours. Wide open path and not too many rocks to stub your toe on. We took bus (the only option before 7pm if I recall) from Mammoths main lodge to Devils Postpile and hiked to falls. I recommend hiking to bottom. Dip your toes and feel the mist. read more

Rainbow Falls - Top of rainbow falls - Hiking Near Me

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The hike to Rainbow falls is quite easy as far as I am concerned. Some people would rate it as moderate though, there are a bit of small inclines throughout. Remember the altitude is quite higher than Mammoth, it's about 9K-10K feet above sea level here. I came down with terrible altitude sickness when doing this hike, it was the first day in Mammoth and my first hike. Drinking water was the only remedy for me. Mainly though there's lots of straights with loose sand. The path is very well defined as its a popular trail and traveled a lot by people. I came here super early in the morning and the place wasn't too busy until I was leaving. During the fall time, the temperatures drop pretty low in the morning so make sure to bring gloves, because my hands were freezing. The entire hike from the parking lot to the actual falls is about 2.5 miles one way. The trail does fork a couple times throughout but signs help guide you the way, plus like I said just follow everyone else, the path gets really busy. The falls are pretty awesome, the water was flowing really good in the fall time. There are different viewpoints you can go to, but the lowest point was shut down for maintenance during my visit. A short easy hike from the Devil Postpile trailhead and worth it if you have some time. read more

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