Rainbow Falls
- Height
- 80 ft
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Required
Rainbow Falls drops about 80 ft on Wailuku River in Hawaii County, Hawaii.
Closures and warnings
Stay behind railings. Wailuku River has recorded multiple drownings at Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots; swimming is not a safe use of this overlook. As of September 28, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 80 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | State Parks: 80-foot Rainbow Falls; rainbows often form in morning mist |
| Swimming allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Jumping | Prohibited |
| Current | Strong |
Access
| Road | Paved |
|---|---|
| Road note | Rainbow Falls area on Rainbow Drive off Waiānuenue Avenue, downtown Hilo (Wailuku River State Park). |
| Parking | Rainbow Falls area parking on Rainbow Drive off Waiānuenue Avenue, Hilo |
| Fee | Non-resident entry $5; non-resident vehicle parking $10; Hawaii residents free with Hawaii ID/DL; children 3 and under. |
| Hours | Daily 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; gates lock at 6:00 p.m. |
| Reservation or permit | Required |
| Managed by | Hawaiʻi Division of State Parks (Wailuku River State Park) |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Rainbow Falls open?
Stay behind railings. Wailuku River has recorded multiple drownings at Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots; swimming is not a safe use of this overlook. As of September 28, 2026. Hours: Daily 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; gates lock at 6:00 p.m.
How tall is Rainbow Falls?
Rainbow Falls drops about 80 ft.
Can you swim at Rainbow Falls?
No, swimming is not allowed at Rainbow Falls. A strong current is reported here, use caution.
How do you get to Rainbow Falls?
The road in is paved. Rainbow Falls area on Rainbow Drive off Waiānuenue Avenue, downtown Hilo (Wailuku River State Park). Parking: Rainbow Falls area parking on Rainbow Drive off Waiānuenue Avenue, Hilo.
Do you need a reservation for Rainbow Falls?
Yes. A reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Rainbow Falls?
The fee is Non-resident entry $5; non-resident vehicle parking $10; Hawaii residents free with Hawaii ID/DL; children 3 and under.
When is Rainbow Falls flowing?
State Parks: 80-foot Rainbow Falls; rainbows often form in morning mist.
Nearby
Nearby
Public land
Just outside: Wailuku River State Park (under 0.1 mi) , Wailuku River State Park / Rainbow Falls (under 0.1 mi) .
Sources
2
- https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/hawaii/wailuku-river-state-park/ (accessed September 30, 2026; backs manager / waterbodyName / waterfall.heightFt, access.fee / hours / parking, waterfall.flowNote, access.permitRequired, access.roadSurface, access.roadNote)
- https://bigislandnow.com/2025/02/09/27-drowning-deaths-have-led-to-a-new-sign-warning-of-the-dangers-of-wailuku-river-in-hilo/ (accessed September 28, 2026; backs swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed / hazardNote)
More: Hawaii waterfalls