Rainbow Falls
- Height
- 101 ft
- Hike
- 2.5 mi each way
- Permit
- Required
- Dogs
- Allowed
Rainbow Falls drops about 101 ft on Middle Fork San Joaquin River in Madera County, California. Reaching it is a 2.5 mi hike each way.
The falls
| Height | 101 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | Highest waterfall on the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River. Named for rainbows that appear in the mist on sunny summer days. |
Access
| Hike | 2.5 mi each way |
|---|---|
| Parking | Mandatory Reds Meadow shuttle from Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge in season; stop #9 is Rainbow Falls (drop-off). Drive via Minaret Vista when shuttle is off. |
| Fee | Shuttle $15 adult / $7 child (3-15); or $10/vehicle amenity when driving |
| Reservation or permit | Required |
| Reservation window | Shuttle tickets limited; reservations strongly encouraged at Mammoth Mountain for peak hours. |
| Managed by | National Park Service (Devils Postpile National Monument) |
| Note | Trail to Rainbow Falls is hot and dry with little shade; bring water and sunscreen. |
|---|
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
How tall is Rainbow Falls?
Rainbow Falls drops about 101 ft.
How long is the hike to Rainbow Falls?
It's a 2.5 mi hike each way. Parking: Mandatory Reds Meadow shuttle from Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge in season; stop #9 is Rainbow Falls (drop-off). Drive via Minaret Vista when shuttle is off.
Do you need a reservation for Rainbow Falls?
Yes. A reservation or permit is required: Shuttle tickets limited; reservations strongly encouraged at Mammoth Mountain for peak hours.
Is there a fee at Rainbow Falls?
The fee is Shuttle $15 adult / $7 child (3-15); or $10/vehicle amenity when driving.
When is Rainbow Falls flowing?
Highest waterfall on the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River. Named for rainbows that appear in the mist on sunny summer days.
What are the rules at Rainbow Falls?
Dogs are allowed.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Fishing nearby
Public land
Rainbow Falls is inside Devils Postpile National Monument .
Just outside: Ansel Adams Wilderness (under 0.1 mi) , Inyo National Forest (under 0.1 mi) , John Muir Wilderness (0.8 mi) .
Sources
4
- https://www.nps.gov/places/deporainbowfalls.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager, waterfall.heightFt, waterfall.flowNote, waterbodyName, access.hikeDistanceMi, access.hikeDistanceBasis, access.amenities.note)
- https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/gettingaround.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.parking)
- https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/fees.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee, access.permitRequired, rules.dogs)
- https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/reds-meadow-and-devils-postpile-shuttle-information.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.reservationWindow)
More: California waterfalls