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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
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!
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.
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!
"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!
A short hike from the postpiles and well worth the trip. Be sure to go down to the base since you are there.
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).
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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
7 years ago
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
11 years ago
Our first time here and it was definitely worth it! For those who haven't been here, hopefully this will help! First we drove to the Adventure Center in Mammoth Lakes, (10001 minaret rd), and purchased shuttle tickets, ($7 for adults and $4 for kids). There were 14 of us, ranged from 50-5 years old. We waited in line for about 15 minutes for the shuttle. If you want an easier & quicker hike to Rainbow Falls, get off at hike trail #9. It was about a 30-40mins bus shuttle from the adventure center to trail #9. Once you get dropped off, it's about 1.3-1.5 mile walk. Some parts are rocky, but manageable. Once you reach rainbow falls, there's a breathtaking view! If you want to go in the water, head farther down a good amount of stairs. BUT the stairs are steep! We walked down to the bottom of the waterfall and took nice pictures, felt the water (Cold! But you get used to it!) Then walked back up the stairs, followed the trail back to trail hike #9, waited another 15 minutes until the shuttle came back to pick us up and back to the adventure center. Well worth it! Enjoyed our time! It's worth it! Just be careful, wear sunscreen, and stay hydrated! read more
12 years ago
This is such a beautiful waterfall that you can go swim in! We hiked from Devil's Postpile 2.5 miles. Which is a must see- beautiful rock formations. You have to park your car at the ski lift area and take a shuttle down, it does cost- just get the all day pass and you can stay all day hiking all the trails in there. This is an epic waterfall and I love that you can get in it, I can't stand it when you go see a waterfall no matter how beautiful it is but can't get in it. I like to interact with nature so this is so cool! I was surprised this is a huge tourist attraction- people from all over the place was up on that shuttle bus with us and for good reason it is beautiful. The steps going down at the waterfall are a little steep but so worth going down in there. Pack a lunch/snacks before heading in but be bear cautious. There's a few trails to explore in this area. They will only let you drive in if you're staying at the campgrounds otherwise you must take the shuttle. read more
10 years ago
This is an easy/moderate hike. The trail started from Devil's Postpile, which is about 2.5 miles about an hour to an hour 20 minutes depending how much endurance you have. I'm currently 18 weeks pregnant and the only breaks I needed was during the .7 mile incline to the shuttle pick up area. The scenery is breathtaking and the waters were clear and plentiful. The grand finale was the rainbow fall itself. If I wasn't so sketchy on my back, I would have totally made the stairs down just to stick my feet in the water. (next time) Shuttle tickets for the day is $7 from the Adventure Center. There are other stops to take if the Rainbow Falls isn't a hike you would be interested in but lets be real...this is something that you have to see and experience! Totally worth all the dust, bugs in the face and shortness of breath. read more
Rainbow Falls is without question worth the additional 1.5 mile trek from Devil's Postpile. The scenery along is trail is super amazing as you follow the river toward the Falls. There are a lot of fallen trees and plenty of areas with fire and lightning damage. There is also a good amount of wildlife along the way. At two points along the trek we had a deer cross the path right in front of us which made for some awesome photo opportunities! The trail itself is mostly dirt but turns into energy sapping sand as you get closer to the end (tip: walk along the sides of the trail to avoid sinking). My low cut hiking shoes were fine for the trek and I left my poles at home since there were no significant changes in elevation. The end of the trail is also fairly open so remember to bring sunscreen and a hat. The actual Rainbow Falls is super amazing (see pictures)! The top view is nice but hiking down the last set of steep stairs to the bottom offers the best photo opportunities! The area was pretty crowded when we got there in the middle of the afternoon. It was uber relaxing eating lunch by the Falls. On a last note, our group was fairly experienced at hiking (Bridge to Nowhere and Mt. Baldy in Los Angeles) but the elevation definitely took a noticeable toll where we were completely exhausted and were nodding off on the shuttle ride back from Reds Meadow Resort (Shuttle Stop 10). read more
11 years ago
WOW!! This is the biggest waterfall I've ever seen!!! It was truly breathtaking and something you HAVE to see if you're in the mammoth area. We hiked from Devils postpile and it took us about an hour at a moderate pace. You can look at the waterfall above the falls or you can take the stairs down to really witness it in all its glory. You can feel the spray when you're not even standing that close! We went on a cloudy day so we couldn't see the rainbow, but it was still so beautiful and worth the hike! Get off at stop six to hike from Devils postpile or stop 9 is just a 30-45 min hike to the falls! read more
11 years ago
So glad we took this hike! My husband, son (12 yr old), and I hiked from the ranger station to Devils Postpile, and then to Rainbow Falls. It's a very short walk to Devils Postpile, nice and easy. Then, it's a little over 2 miles more to the Falls (5 miles total round trip). That one isn't too difficult, but there are hilly parts and steep stairs. My son complained a little on the way back, but it was worth it :) The Falls are absolutely gorgeous! And even on a partly cloudy day, complete with a few thundershowers, we saw the rainbow in the mist. After the hike, we headed on out of town to the hot springs! Perfect day! read more
I looooove waterfalls and this one does not disappoint. It's an easy hike and it's easy to get to, just hop on the shuttle at the adventure center at the mountain bike park and they will take you right to the trailhead and then pick you up for $7. The view from the top is awesome but to really experience it go down the staircase to the base of the falls where you can stand in the mist and actually see the rainbows that the sun's reflection makes. So do yourself a favor and go there! read more
8 years ago
12 years ago
What an amazing hike! So much wonderful stuff to see! Take plenty of water! ! We ran out by the time we got to the falls so just filled up in the falls water! We survived and happy to report no sickness&& omg u just can't beat water that cold and that fresh! We hiked this with our kids (9 & 16) who loved it!! The best part is GOING INTO THE WATER UNDER THE FALLS!! Oh sure it's freezing cold water, but well worth it! & because I went under head, hat and all, it was perfect for cooling my overweight butt off on the hike back up! Don't miss out on this hike people! & passing Devil's post pile, hike to the top of that too! Amazing! Oh and if u stop at the range station with young kids, ask them to make them jr rangers! The kiddos will get a cool book to fill out on the way down and if u stop by on ur way out the kids will get a cool patch! read more
10 years ago
Rainbow Falls is a natural wonder! The incredible size of the 100+ foot water fall is absolutely stunning and breathtaking! Even when we visited the waterfall in the late summer after the rainy season, there was still plenty of water flowing down it. The surrounding viewpoints are the perfect place for photographs or to just reflect and enjoy nature's beauty. Overview: Rainbow Falls is medium to moderate 5.5 round-trip mile hike. The trail starts along the same Pacific Crest Trail section that starts the Devils Postpile hike and continues onward along the San Joaquin River. The trail is well marked, but plan ahead and bring plenty of water as there are no aid stations along the trail. Dog Friendly?: No, dogs are not permitted on the Rainbow Falls hiking trail. Dogs are only allowed on leashes on the trails near the Sugarlands Visitor Center & Oconaluftee Visitor Center. read more
It's not about the destination but the journey to get there. Throughout the hike I was gobsmacked by the views and settings of this national treasure. One of my favorite parts about the hike was traveling through the burnt forest... I appreciated seeing how nature was filling in the spaces destroyed by the fire. Once we arrived at the falls, I set about trying to photograph it. Unfortunately it was very bright and I did not have a neutral density filter... My intention was to photograph it at a low shutter speed to get that beautiful, milky, cloudy effect on the moving water. I was able to achieve the look a little at 1/5 of a second, but I wish I could have gone a little longer. read more
6 years ago
There is a fee to get into the general area that you pay at the Department of Forestry shack that is posted there. Parking lot 10 is where you want to head to which is easy to get to since it will be the end of the road. A map will be given to you anyway and Google maps takes you right to it as well. Enjoy the scenery because there is nothing bland about this drive. The views are stunning. However, the road is narrow and you must watch out for incoming traffic. Once you get there, the hike is not very bad. You will hike for about 15 to 20 minutes to get to the falls. Surrounded by tall pine trees, grassy hills, and the smell of nature, it feels as if you are walking back in time. As you get closer you can hear the falls, which is a neat little detail. As you arrive. There is a "look out" point where you can appreciate the falls and its entirety as well as the rainbow it produces. It is best to visit this place when the sun is at its highest. You can get close and personal with the falls as well. There are access stairs that will take you all the way down to the falls and the creek. Although highly discouraged, you can swim near the falls , just be very careful not to get too close. Natives in the past use to frequent this area and you feel some connection. I highly recommend it follow me and my adventures ig @SinAguayo fb:Sin Aguayo read more
Okay our second time back to the Falls we actually climbed down and went to the river of where the falls were at. The climb down was steep. Be careful too because there are a lot of rocks but it is well worth it. The water was cold but refreshing after the hike that my same cousin and I did last year. We did almost a half day hiking around here including going to see the Minarate Falls which was completely dried up. But I did get my cardio in by hiking the JMT/PCT trails. I didn't bring enough water. My cousin wanted to hike from DPP to Rainbow Falls (would of probably taken the JMT/PCT trail to get there) but I knew we would of tired us out so I convinced my cuz to park at the trailhead and just hike that 1.5 mile to the falls. Word of warning though if you go during the off season like we did the parking is limited and there were still a lot of people there including tourists. Pro Tip: Senior Citizens can buy an all access pass to all the National Parks for 10 dollars at the Ranger Station shack at the top near Mammoth Mountain and be careful driving down that narrow road. read more
12 years ago
This is a gorgeous waterfall that flows strongly even during the early summer month of July. It can definitely compete with those in nearby Yosemite for beauty. I can definitely spend a long time relaxing to its sounds for long periods of time and not want to leave. This can be seen together with Devil Postpile on a hike that's not too difficult distance-wise, or even in terms of elevation change. The only challenge is doing this hike in high elevation. I admit I had difficulty at times with this otherwise simple hike if it was at near sea level like back home. read more
A relatively easy 2.5 mile hike from the ranger station passing Devil's Postpile along the way. There aren't many steep hills to the falls, but there's not much shade so be prepared with lots of water when it's sunny. As the name states, you can definitely see a rainbow in the mists, which is very pretty. Definitely worth a visit. read more
12 years ago
One of the most beautiful waterfalls I have ever seen! It's a must when you visit Mammoth Lakes. I went with my bf and we enjoyed the hike. We started at Devil's Postpile and hiked all the way to Rainbow Falls! Make sure you check the weather because one minute it can be beautiful & sunny & then rain can really poor! Be prepared! Make sure to drink plenty of water while hiking!!! read more
13 years ago
Nice view of rainbow falls when you reach it at the end of hike. Need to bring water. Saw the areas where forest fires too place and a nice rainbow. read more
9 years ago
Be ready to hike! It is definitely worth it! Just bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and a hat! It is truly a beautiful site with breathtaking views! read more
6 years ago
Great hike, fairly easy. The road to get there is super narrow so be patient and drive slow. Awesome, breathtaking views and highly recommend for all who are physically capable. We did it with a double stroller, as it is possible, but not really recommended unless you have a few hours to spend. Pretty crowded but still enjoyable for a weekday. read more
9 years ago
9 years ago
My boyfriend and I took the shuttle to the rainbow falls stop. We got off and realized that we were the only people on this trail. We filled our water bottles at the water station and headed out. It was an easy trail with our hiking shoes. It can be a little slippery if you are just in your nikes. We ran into some fellow hikers which made me feel a little less scared of what was ahead. We also ran into some deer it was a great experience and finally after an hour or so we reached rainbow falls. It is such a beautiful waterfall and was worth the hike. The sun was beaming and it got a little hot. Just make sure you are prepared with your water and keep an eye out for bears! read more
14 years ago
9 years ago
I loved the reward of this hike, the waterfall is amazing specially at the time the rainbow shows, my buddies and I were able to see a deer. The driver of the shuttle was literally driving 35 mph on our way back from the hike (she is a blonde lady) watch out for her lol and the road is so narrow with nothing but a steep look into the woods. She probably had a red bull before her shift. read more
7 years ago
9 years ago
This hike is so worth it. I started the hike from Devil's Postpile and hiked down to Rainbow Falls. The hike can be tough on the way back up but its' so rewarding as soon as you see the beautiful, glistening, tranquil waterfalls. There is plenty water to swim in and plenty of flat ground space to have a picnic. read more
12 years ago
A scenic 2.5 mile hike from the rainbow falls trailhead. Very easy, very wide trail and the falls are gorgeous. Take the shuttle from the adventure center at the main lodge. Purchase shuttle tickets at the gondola station. Exit the rainbow falls shuttle stop or get off one stop earlier and see Devil's Postpile for an additional .4 miles since the trail runs into the Rainbow falls trail. Definitely worth it to see both. Note: In the summer shuttles run every 15 minutes. read more
5 years ago
5 years ago
11 years ago
Hands down Amazing! There really was a rainbow too! If you plan to spend some time here, bring a swim suit and some lunch. I highly recommend taking the stairs down to the base for a swim, even though the water is freezing. Read more about my experience on my blog at: www.closet-creep.com/2015/07/mammoth-ca-highlights.html?m=1 read more
12 years ago
Mammoth!! We camped in Mammoth for the first time this year (we usually only go when it is covered in snow) and decided to hike to Rainbow Falls. We took the shuttle with our friends and all of our mutts (must be muzzled) and got off at stop #9 and hiked into the falls. Lots of shade except for the part where you go through the burned area. Getting off at this stop is a short hike with sandy areas and rockier areas and if you go down to the bottom of the falls there are many stairs to climb down and then back up again. Some were double sized stairs. Overall though it was pretty easy for this couch potato. Since there was not as much water as usual, we did not see any rainbows. But we still had fun. Once we got down to the bottom of all the stairs we changed into our suits with the help of giant towels and took a dip in the water. It was pretty cold, and I felt pretty dumb for not bringing my river shoes, knowing we were planning on swimming in the water. But man I had a blast!! Swam over to where the water was coming down and the mist made it hard to catch my breath so I mostly stayed with my back to the falls. The dogs even got into the water but my pit mix got cold quickly with his short fur and almost zero body fat. And he scraped his nails and bled a little but he didn't care about that. Overall a super fun thing to do if you are in Mammoth during the summer. But don't be like us, bring your river shoes. One of us got a nasty cut on the toe from a sharp rock. I suggest you hike back to Devils Postpile for a longer hike, you'll get picked up at stop #6. read more
13 years ago
Awesome hike. It's easy. It's beautiful. It's worth your time. Do it! You'll get to see some pretty awesome stuff in this tranquil area. read more
More info about Rainbow Falls
Ask the Community - Rainbow Falls
Are the falls closed right now? I know the monument is closed but can I still hike up?
What's the closest place to camp or lodge?
anywhere in Mammoth Lakes is fairly close. I believe campgrounds at Devils Postpile are closed this season
Review Highlights - Rainbow Falls
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2 years ago
