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Rainbow Falls

End of CA-203 West
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546

Local phone: 760-934-2289

Website Get Directions

Hours of Operation: Ranger station hours vary

Closed : October 11, 2022

Please Note: The mandatory shuttle runs through September 5, 2022. After that time, visitors can enter in their own vehicle. Starting on October 1, 2022, please be prepared for up to 30 minute delays due to tree work along the road. The road will close for the season on October 11, 2022. The road is slated to reopen, weather dependent, Late May – June 2024.

The 101-foot waterfall is part of the Devils Postpile National Monument. It is known for the colorful rainbow that its mist creates. The best time to experience the rainbows is midday, when the sun is highest.

The mandatory shuttle is operated by Eastern Sierra Transit and boards at Mammoth Adventure Center. Personal vehicle travel is allowed outside of the shuttle season.

Accessibility to the Waterfall

2.5 miles or 5 miles round-trip moderate hike.

Traveler Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

Overall Rating: 4.5

based on 328 reviews
Rating: 5
Falls with a walk.
Scenic water fall at the end of a hike that is well worth the effort. Easy to combine Rainbow Falls with the Devils Postpile all in one afternoon. Worth a visit, but be prepared to walk a bit over a...
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Rating: 5
What a hike!
We (4 seniors) hiked to Devil's Postpone. It wasn't too difficult. We are not seasoned hikers. Then we went on to Rainbow Falls. It was a hot day and a longer hike than we were prepared for. The...
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Rating: 5
Beautiful hike
Took the shuttle ($15/person) to stop 6 where we got off and did this 4+ mile hike via Devils Postpile. It was hot with little shade, but the falls were well worth it.
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Amenities

Fall

Full day

Half day

Hiking & Backpacking

Summer

Takes 1 - 2 hours

Takes 2 - 3 hours

RELATED BUSINESSES

Devils Postpile National Monument
Please Note: The mandatory shuttle runs through September 5, 2022. After that time, visitors can enter in their own vehicle. Starting on October 1, 2022, please be prepared for up to 30 minute delays due to tree work along the road. The road will close for the season on October...
Devils Postpile Campground
Established in 1911 by presidential proclamation, Devils Postpile National Monument protects and preserves the Devils Postpile formation, the 101-foot high Rainbow Falls and pristine mountain scenery. The formation is a rare sight in the geologic world and ranks as one of the world’s finest examples of columnar basalt.  Visitors can...
Eastern Sierra Transit Authority (ESTA)
ESTA offers a variety of bus services, including; deviated fixed routes, local in-town dial-a-ride services, multiple town-to-town services throughout the Hwy 395 and Hwy 6 corridors, and interregional service (CREST) extending from Reno, Nevada, to Lancaster, California, with connections to the Los Angeles area. Locally, ESTA operates summer and winter...