Rainbow Falls
Overview
Rainbow Falls plunges 101 feet over a cliff of dark basalt, showcasing the erosive power of the San Joaquin River as it cuts through layers of ancient volcanic rock. The cliffs were formed by overlapping basaltic lava flows that erupted roughly 75,000 years ago during the late Pleistocene Epoch. As the river carved downward, it exposed a cross-section of stacked lava flows - a clear record of repeated eruptions layered one atop another. The falls continue to migrate slowly upstream as weaker rock erodes at the base. On sunny summer afternoons, mist from the plunge pool produces the rainbow that gives the falls their name.
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Rainbow Falls
Information on this page including description, photos and operating hours is provided directly by the business and subject to change at any time.
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