Rainbow Falls Reviews

The postpile to falls to pick up point is about 5 miles. It can be hot on the way, so be sure to bring enough water and hat. It is also uphill going back to the shuttle bus...1.5 miles. We were unable to get to the base of the falls because of repair work. The big tree at the first observation point has big roots, unique seats and shade.

Make sure before going on this 3.4 mile trek that you have proper hiking gear because it's not as easy as it seems if you aren't prepared!

We camped out @ Twin Lakes & drove about an hour up to where Rainbow Falls Trail starts & its a short hike up the Waterfall , keep an eye out for signs they guide you to where fall is ,their is other trails that take you to Devils Postpile.
If you go late in the afternoon i suggest not taking to long on the fall if your trying to go to Devils Postpile . We made that mistake & didnt go.

The Rainbow Falls spills over in to a lake pool and it is an amazing view to hear and see for you're own eyes!

Don't be intimidated by how far it says it is from the Postpile. Instead, grab the shuttle to stop number 9 and then it's only about 1.25 miles each way trailhead to trailhead. It's a pretty waterfall. Make sure to bring water though, it can be hot in the summer.

The 'hike' isn't much of a hike, it is not strenuous at all. A very well maintained trail leads out to the falls without much of change in steepness. If you haven't seen the falls, make this part of your trip.

This was one of the highlights of mammoth for me. The hike isn’t to long and you are rewarded with a breathtaking view of the falls. It was hot during the midday adventure so bring water. And since you made it there. Go a little further to the lower falls. Completely different but nice to see.

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 forest path to get there. Easy hike - but not a sidewalk!

Beautiful falls, but pretty crowded. We hiked in from Horseshoe Lake in Mammoth, about 8 miles to Reds Meadow. From there it's an easy walk to the viewing point. There are some steep steps down to the water which is not for the weak, or frail.

Amazing waterfall which is definitely worth the hour walk to visit - just make sure you wear good shoes and take plenty of water!!

It's a bit of a hike to get to rainbow falls but it's worth it! We were there in September when there wasn't much water about but it still impressed us! It's amazing how the falls have eroded the rock over 100s of years!

What a wonderful trail, saw chipmunks and squirrels along the way, paths well signposted and bear boxes available for food storage in the car park.

The hike to get to Rainbow falls trails along a relatively flat dirt path. The scenery is beautiful. There are remnants of scorched earth and trees that line the hillside. Worth the hike to see the falls.

I have been coming to Mammoth, CA since I was very young. It's the one place I have to bring my friends to every time we come up. The stairs to get down to Rainbow Falls is a little tough because it is so steep, but so worth it. If you are brave enough I suggest going for a swim, the water is normally very cold at first but feels nice once you get used to it. The best thing to do is sit on a rock located closer to the falls and sit and feel the mist from the falls hit your face. One of the best feelings in the world. I could probably spend all day there. The only thing I suggest is if you can, go to the falls on a week day. If you go on a weekend it is normally way to crowded, which makes for a less enjoyable time. Also, the hike is pretty short. By the time u hike to the falls you will most likely be feeling pretty warm and might want to take a dip :)

Not an easy hike on a hot day, but well worth it when you get to the falls. The falls where full and flowing and had a beautiful rainbow.

Beautiful waterfall. You can see other folks reviews on the hike. I'm going to give the logistics we used to get there.
We were only in town for a long weekend, no car
From our condo (Snowcreek), we took the Town Trolley into "the Village". The trolley is red and green and looks like a trolley (smaller than the bus, lots of windows). The Trolley was free.
From the Village, we changed to the bus that takes bikes up to the top of the mountain. (painted white, larger than the Trolley, had a bike trailer that would hold 15 or so bikes on the back). Might read "Bike Park" on the front in the lights. The 'bike park' bus was free
All of the stops were near-ish to Toomey's restaurant.
Okay, after taking the white, 'bike park', bus to the Mammoth Mountainside, we were dropped off in front of a statute of a woolly mammoth. From there, we walked to the Adventure Center and purchased for $15 a ticket on the Red Meadow shuttle.
My travel companion was told the shuttle would be painted red. It was not. It was white. It looked like the bus for the Bike Park, but without the bike trailer on it. It picked us up at the same woolly mammoth statue drop off point. It had Red Meadows in the light above the windshield. Note that we took the shuttle several hours after we purchased the tickets
The driver gave us advice, and we got off at stop #9.
We were told it was a 45 minute walk to the falls and 1 hour back (slight incline).
We made it in 1:30, including a brief stop at the falls, because we were rushed. I had to rush my travel companion. I would suggest allowing for more time, but we made other choices before the hike so we were time crunched.
The hike to the falls (we skipped Devil's postpile) is an out and back. You catch the bus very close to where it dropped off, but you do need to climb a few steps across the street, and catch the bus at the campground.
There is a bathroom close to the trailhead.
We were warned that if we missed the last bus (which was the one we were taking), we would have to either spend the night somewhere at the campgrounds or try to walk several miles to the ranger station to get cell phone coverage to call a taxi. So we rushed to be sure we didn't miss the last bus.

We really did see the rainbow at the falls. We also walked down to the lower falls. The viewpoint provides some excellent views.

Beautiful falls but it does require a significant but not arduous hike to and from this wonderful site.

Beautiful any time of the year. If you are fit enough for a 2.5 mile hike in high altitude, go to Rainbow Falls. Even though we came at the end of summer, this falls is still pouring gallons of water over its edge. Be a smart hiker and wear appropriate shoes, use sunscreen and bring plenty of WATER. We saw too many folks unprepared for this environment.

Great trail we walked from the devil's postpile but you can access the trail further down the postpile road. Falls great and the dog loved the river. Nice hike for all.

I was here mid-September and it was still pretty crowded so I'm guessing summer is crazy. The hike to the waterfall is easy so quite a few young children were on the trail and it was nice to go a little further and head to the next waterfall for a picnic. The big bummer was that the stairs that lead to the bottom of Rainbow Falls is closed for all of 2017 so there was limits to seeing the rainbow and getting good pics of the falls.

Rainbow Falls is one of the hikes in the Mammoth Lakes and Devils Post pile area that should not be missed.

the hike can be a bit strenuous, especially , the uphill portions. Take the steps to the bottom of the falls- it's well worth all of those steps!

Follow the trail past Devil's Postpile (approx. 3 miles) to Rainbow Falls. As you hike and take in the serenity of the Sierras, listen to the wind. It is alive. Be sure to hike to the bottom of the falls. From there, you can appreciate its majesty. Take a swim in the bracingly cold water. You will be invigorated. Instead of hiking back to the Postpile on the same trail, follow the trail to Red's Meadow. It's about a mile and a half. There you can buy provisions, snacks, water and assorted goodies. There is shade and restrooms. From there, you can take the bus back to Mammoth Mountain where you began.

This is a great hike for all ages with beautiful tranquil views. Hiking in Mammoth is always a treat and this one destination is a must.

It's incredibly scenic and easy to hike to for whole family. Take a picnic basket and wine, can't be better.

The walk from either the Devil's Postpone or the Rainbow Falls car park is well worth it, and don't stop at the upper falls - as impressive as they are, the lower falls are just as impressive and if you're hot you can get access to the river to cool down at the lower falls. On a hot day, this is a really chilled way to spend an afternoon.

This is a busy trail filled with car and bus tourists, and not so many hikers. It can be reached from 3 nearby trailheads: The Devil's Postpile Monument, Red's Meadow Resort, and the Fish Creek trailhead. All are nearby. Park at Red's and enjoy a shake in the diner after it's finished.

The falls are impressive. The lower falls view is nice, but not a must-do.

The trail is flat and very scenic but make sure you make the effort to go to the waterfall at the end as it's worth it. Take some lunch with you and sit and watch the waterfall.

Rainbow Falls is remarkable and memorable. It is worth the short hike in from Shuttle stop 9 to see it. It was not very crowded, even though we were there on the weekend.

Great moderate hike to the falls...very scenic and a nice place to relax after the hike and to see the area

If you are going, go early before the crowds come. These falls are something to see and just beautiful hiking all around the area. Personally, when we go, we take the long hiking trails all around the area.

I have been going on this hike since I was young. It doesn't get old! Although, it can get hot in the middle of the day... Not lots of shade. Bring water and snacks. Enjoy the view!

This is a great waterfall to take photos of, not jump off of.

As an adventure enthusiasts who likes to cliff jump, I can see someone wanting to do that here. I would strongly recommend against that. The waterfall is strong and the bottom is difficult to see. With that height, you can seriously injure yourself or perhaps be killed.

Traveler Tip: if the waterfall is flowing then don't go under it where the water lands. It can push you under and perhaps even drown someone who is not a strong swimmer.

I'm a fellow traveler so I appreciate when other people have given me tips/recommendations while in a new city. If this information is helpful, please let me know by hitting the like button. Even if this review helps only one traveler then it's worth it to know I'm contributing towards making someone's experience better, giving to the global community, and paying it forward. Safe Travels!

It sure was beautiful, and the hike from the parking lot was nice too. Arrive early to beat the crowds. The road down from the ranger shack was quite intimidating with some steep drop offs in some spots, still these falls are a must see.

One of the best places around Mammoth lakes. I recommend go there in the bus int front of the hotel Mammoth Mountain Inn and make a stop in point 6, walk 2 miles towards Rainbow fall or you cant get down in point 9 and walk one mile o Rainbow fall... you will love it!

Excellent waterfall but the trail trail is a slight downhill to the fall. Be prepared to “huff it” more on the way out. It gets some people.

It can get crowded during the “rainbow” time of day. Worth the effort And the stream is an ideal of setting for fly fishing.

I was surprised by the volume of water flowing in October. Very pretty and easy to get to. To get the rainbow, the sun must hit the falls. The steps down to the bottom were closed.

Nice hike. I was complaining the the cell worked down there and someone suggested that I turn it off... So I did!

We took this 1.5-ish mile (one-way) hike in the late afternoon, and still had time to see everything we wanted and return to the shuttle for the return trip to the top before sunset. The trail is very wide and very accessible. I even saw someone pushing a stroller on it. The 1992 fire devastation is still apparent, but the pine trees are beginning to rebound. There was also a severe wind storm in 2011 that decimated a large number of pine trees. But, the Forest Service is cleaning it up, and wildflowers were prevalent because the sun could reach the forest floor. Even in a drought, the falls were flowing nicely. And, with all the green grasses around, I had to remind myself that California is severely lacking water....

A mile or so from Red's Meddow, this large fall creates a rainbow when the light hits the mist just right. The falls can be viewed from above or you can take the stairs down to the the bottom. Great for pictures and to cool off on a hot afternoon.

It's a beautiful place, but weekends and holidays can be extremely crowded. Try going early or late, and try for a weekday if possible.

There was LOTS of water, which is a treat around here :) The hike was just long enough for a quick trip, the entire trail was beautiful, not too many people.
The only caveat was the trip in the shuttle bus...:(

We got off on stop 9 and hiked down. We saw part of the forest that was burned down by lightening strike in 1992. It was a eerie feeling, yet many new young trees are populating the area with the old trunks from the past mixed in the landscape. Continuing on, there are two observation points to see the falls and the rainbows. Unfortunately, when we were visiting the staircase leading to the falls was closed due to falling rocks. We hope next time we come to visit we will have a chance to swim at the base of the waterfalls.

Caught the shuttle which was about $8 which took you up to the 9 attractions that are only accessible with the shuttle bus get off at a sight you want to see then walk the treks to the next shuttle drop off pick up point.

Was able to drive to Falls due to Handicap plaque. No fee.
Not a strenuous walk to Falls.
Hiked during July of 2015 during California drought.
Falls were surprisingly active!!
Grandkids were excited after being disappointed in Yosemite where there was little water.
Saw the Rainbow!!

For an easy day, take the shuttle to stop 9 to walk to Rainbow Falls. It's a very easy walk with little elevation change. For a longer and more challenging hike, go from Devil's Postpile to Rainbow Falls (about 2 miles). There isn't much of an elevation change, but it is a long walk and in full sun. We also had to deal with smoke from a fire so that made it more difficult. Also, once you're at Rainbow Falls, if you continue down to the Lower Falls there are jump rocks and a swimming hole. It's a tough half mile down and up though so be prepared. Tip: when you hike back from Rainbow Falls to the shuttle, there is a sign at a fork that points one way to the Rainbow Falls trailhead and another way to Bus Stop 10. TAKE THE RAINBOW FALLS path to stop 9. It's WAY easier and not straight uphill!! I don't know why the sign doesn't say "Bus Stop 9" but it confused everyone.

Rainbow Falls is a short hike once you get to Reds Meadows. You can hike to the bottom of the falls. It is beautiful, especially in early summer when there's a lot of water. You'll see why it's called Rainbow Falls.

Because of our drought, the falls were a trickle, no rainbows in site. Great hike but anti-climactic. Will try again in the Spring!

It is a good long walk from Devils post pile, but well worth it. We also walked down the steep stairs to the bottom of the falls and my daughter braved the cold water and swam to the base of the falls. Great place to visit.

rainbow falls was pretty impressive even during september when the flow is not as strong. the trail was quick and easy to get to the falls from the reds meadow trail head. would make a cool day hike to go from devils postpile and hike to here and back out again

Beautiful fall with lots of water. Walk down to the bottom of the fall. It's not difficult walk down or back up.

Nice walk from the shuttle stop to Rainbow Falls. There are 3 overlooks, however the lower bridge was closed for renovation.
Definitely recommend a stop here if you are visiting Devils Postpile

A good time to visit Rainbow Falls is after Labor Day when they open the gates and you can drive down to Reds Meadow and hike from there. Do the loop that includes Devil's Post Pile. Easy hiking for all. If you take the shuttle down, plan on leaving enough time at the end of the day because the shuttles crowd up when it's time for everyone to leave at once.

Saw with Devil's Postpile and it was a good hike! Just give yourself a little time and don't forget your water.

Beuatiful! The mist creates a rainbow, hence the name. See the Devil's Postpile while you're there. Take water. Not handicap friendly.

The hike from Devils Postpile to Rainbow Falls was too long. It is hot during the summer so the hike was not as pleasant. The waterfall does look pretty and there is a nice rainbow, but we were only allowed to look at it from the top. For us, the bottom was closed for renovation.

This is a really easy hike for people who are in moderately good shape, but the trail was super dusty with small gravel that constantly got inside our shoes. Met a lot of well-behaved dogs and well-behaved pet owners that cleaned up after their pets. The only real knock against it is that the lookout area is small and gets crowded easily. Some people were merely sitting there catching their breath or chit-chatting, while others had to wait for them to move to get a clean view of the waterfall.

We took the bus to the postpile drop off. Then walked the trail to the falls. It was amazing. So beautiful. The trail was very dusty from other travelers and there is limited to no canopy. Just keep this in mind but it was worth it. So beautiful.

The San Joaquin river runs through this part of the forest and spills over a 101 foot ledge that makes for beautiful pictures and a backdrop to your morning or afternoon hike. Well marked trails take you there from the parking area, and you can easily extend the hike over to Devil's postpile and really take in the amazing scenery. To think it was almost demolished back in the 1940s for a dam project! Thank goodness people stepped in and preserved this amazing bit of nature. It's gorgeous and a very easy trail with minimal elevation change (maybe 200' over a mile). Go and enjoy and takes lots of pictures! During the summer you will have to use the park transportation system - Stop 6 is Devil's Postpile and 9 is Rainbow Falls. In the "off season" you can just drive in - that's what we did. October is a great month to visit Mammoth!

Great hike with a nice waterfall and a rainbow at the falls. Carry a snack and have a great time. Easy hike with kids too...

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 Falls were amazing, but we were totally exhausted.

Beautiful falls. There is a bus that can take you the place plus a short hike. You can actually go down close to the falls. Just listening to the sound of the water is so relaxing.

If you're looking for a simple, beautiful scenic hike, look no further. This is a must do hike, plus you can combined it with a small hike to the Devil's Postpile, which is pretty amazing too. Makes for a great morning excursion. Take the shuttle to stop #9, hike to the falls then continue to the Devil's Postpile and to stop #6, where the shuttle will pick you up again. It's a great hike.

Tip: You could also go the reverse way and stop at stop #6 first.

Park at Red Meadows Resort & Pack Station, there is a general store as well as a restaurant to start and end your hike.
Rainbow Falls has some shady areas, perfect for a picnic lunch. To see and photograph rainbows in the water/mist, be there in early afternoon when the sun is shining from the side onto the waterfall.
Take extra water, this is a hot hike.
Be sure to go to Lower Falls, a great spot to get your feet wet or swim, and fish.

Raibow Falls is always beautiful but especially this last July 2017 after the heavy snowfall this past Winter. The hike is beautiful and it's amazing to see the land recovering from the fire along the trail.

This is one of my favorite hikes. It’s an easy walk down but the walk back can be tiring. I suggest taking your time and it’s not as bad. The little kids made it fine without whining. It’s worth every step to see the waterfall. I highly recommend hiking down the stairs to get close up pictures too.

The falls are about 2.5 miles from the Devil's Postpile parking lot. The hike is moderate with some steeper sections. The trail is well marked. The falls are well worth visiting.

Our family hiked from Devils Postpile to Rainbow falls. The distance was about 2.5 miles and it was relatively flat and unnoticeable and decent downwards. Going back up to the Red Meadow resort was an upward trek. There is not a ton of shade and it’s very dusty. Bring water, sunscreen and wear a hat. Unfortunately we didn’t see a rainbow but it was still very pretty nonetheless. Some of my family members decided to go to the lower waterfall and were able to go into the water which was very cold. Overall this was a fairly easy to intermediate hike. The paths are flat with some rocks, no climbing required. It’s also very easy to navigate with all the signage. I would recommend grabbing the map to reference during the hike.

In terms of getting there we parked our car near the Adventure Center and purchased our shuttle tickets at the Adventure Center building. You can buy tickets inside the store or at the window on the outside of the building. Shuttle tickets are mandatory June 16 - September 5. Cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children. The length of the shuttle ride is about 30 mins from the time you are picked up until you get to Devils Postpile stop #6. However you can get off at any stop you like and get back on using the same day pass. We opted to get off at stop #6 and hiked to the Rainbow Falls which is stop # 9. We opted from there to walk to the Red Meadow stop # 10 where there is a general store and restrooms which were much welcomed after our 5 mile hike. The shuttle buses run frequently during the summer but they’re also crowded. It’s likely you will end up standing if it’s busy. I don’t recommend driving your vehicle into the valley. The roads are extremely narrow and very high up a mountain. A couple inches to the wrong side and you could fall off the cliff. I would actually prefer if they only let shuttles use this road because they can actually coordinate with each other, so that there is no issues with having to share the narrow two way lanes.

We walked here from Devil's Postpile and it was a great experience. The trail and the viewpoints are great, and the view of the waterfalls is amazing. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, even though the trail to the bottom of the falls was closed. Definitely worth the effort if you are physically able.

I have been wanting to go to rainbow falls for quite some time so we decided to do the horseback ride down, boy was it worth it. I got some beautiful pictures and it was a sight to see. The rainbow was very clear and even with the lack of rainfall I was not disappointed. I definitely recommend seeing the falls.

Rainbow Falls is spectacular. Be sure to go down the staircase to the bottom of the falls as well. And it's well worth it to keep hiking along the river to Lower Falls. So beautiful!

Unless you're camping, you must ride the bus into the canyon, so stay on the bus until you reach Devil's Post Pile, which is well worth stopping and admiring. The picnic area nearby offers wonderful easy access to the river, and it's good to cool off there before the hike to the falls. Once you get to the falls, be sure to take the stairs down to the base. It's worth the climb and you can once again splash in the water--just stay away from dangerous area directly beneath the falls. Unfortunately, the falls this year are less spectacular due to the drought, but still very interesting.

Take plenty of water if you plan to hike to Rainbow Falls. We loved it! Also, take your bathing suit!

Took the tram from main lodge, then we went from the top of the Devils Post pile further onto the Rainbow falls hike.. 2.5 miles. (about 1.5 hours). unfortunately it was a little overcast so no rainbow.. unfortunately we ran out of time and did not get to the lower part.. The hike itself takes you thru some beautiful forest and also passes the Rainbow fires area from the 90's with all the burned out forest look very cool.

The hike back is about 0.7 miles to the Red Meadows and take about 30-40 min. Red Meadows have a cafe you can buy water, beer and food while waiting for the tram back..

A little hike but worth the visit. The falls are huge and has a great view from top as well as from front of the falls after getting down the stairs in front of the falls.

This trail was nice and had a great end with the Rainbow falls. We didn't bring bathing clothes but went out in the water walking on slippery rocks to get closer to the waterfall. Really nice experience and it's said that when the sun shines you can possibly see a rainbow close to the waterfall.

You need to be prepared for this. We weren't (we would've been, had I researched this better. The one time I didn't, we got bit!), so I'm writing this review to give you a better view on how this hike is, rather than just saying "it's sooooo beautiful!" like the majority of the reviews here say. The pics speak for themselves, but the hike doesn't.

You have two options for the hike - you can hike this from Devil's Postpile and it's about a 3 mile hike to the falls, not including your hike back to a bus stop. Or, you can hike this from the Rainbow Falls trailhead to save some time but it's still about a 3 mile round trip hike. We hiked this from the trailhead - you can get there via the shuttle bus.

We visited the Postpile first (you can read my review if you're interested in my full take on the monument +falls), headed back to the bus stop and caught the next Red's Meadow-bound bus to drop us off at the trailhead.

Before I go any further, we were under the impression that both Rainbow Falls and Devil's Postpile didn't involve long hikes, per the lady who sold us our shuttle tickets. We only brought one bottle of water and we were wearing flip flops! Had we known we'd be doing some hiking, we would've worn appropriate footwear. Devil's Postpile is pretty short, but Rainbow Falls is a long, somewhat difficult hike. By the time we realized this, we were en route on the shuttle bus, too late to go back.

The trail is very dusty and seems to be never-ending. Combined with the fact that we were wearing flip flops, only had one bottle of water, up at 7000-8000 ft elevation and it was 85+ degrees out did not make us happy hikers. Plus, despite leaving Mammoth Lakes in clear, sunny skies, the sky was clouding up with threatening weather looming.

The trail itself is not that scenic. A lot of it is a burned forest.

The falls ARE pretty but you can't always count on a rainbow. If it's overcast, you won't see it -- and just our luck, it clouded up when we got there. There are a lot of people swimming in the water by the falls, so getting a people-free photo is difficult, if not impossible. You can hike down to the falls, but we just didn't have the energy.

The hike back was much worse - it's alllll uphill. You will get DIRTY on this hike from all the dust -- especially if you're unprepared like we were and wearing flip flops. We lucked out and didn't get rained on, but as soon as our bus pulled up to Mammoth Mountain, the skies cut loose. You can catch the bus at Red's Meadow back to Mammoth but expect to wait in line -- you might have to wait for 2 or 3 buses to fill up before you can get on.

In summary - be prepared for a long, hot hike (bring water and proper footwear) and bring rain gear even if it's clear and sunny at Mammoth Mountain! And make sure you allow at least 4 hours for this and Devil's Postpile -- this is NOT a quick excursion!

Beautiful day hike area with easy terrain that children and adults can traverse. Lovely scenery with birds and opportunities to view other critters.

We hiked to the devils postpile and continued our hike to the rainbow falls. We walked back to bus stop # 10

We hiked the 2.5 trail to Rainbow Falls and were well-rewarded with stunning overlooks of the falls in the morning light before the heat of the day. If this is a summer visit, I recommend you do the same.

Rainbow falls was just wonderful!!! Even saw Alvin the chipmunk there. It's a fair hike on a warm day but worth it.

Mountain beauty . You need to take the shuttle to get there which is $7. When the shuttle drops you off there is about a 15 minute walk to the falls. It is Very scenic.

Located adjacent to Devil's Postpile. Mandatory shuttle is seasonal. Check the Devil's Postpile before going. Dogs allowed on shuttle with approved muzzle, not the soft loop type. Take lunch, plenty of sunscreen, and water. Not handicapped accessible. You can extend moderate rated hike to Red's Meadow, and catch shuttle back from there.

It is a bit of a hike from Red Meadows Resort to Rainbow falls, but if you hike or wonder around the mall regularly, this should not be too hard for you. The hard part comes once you get to the falls. Here you have a choice to view the falls from the top or take all those stairs down to the foot of the falls for that picture you just gatta have. Bring water and a hat, as the hike to and from may be sun exposed The rainbow only appears at certain times, so if that is important to you, check with the rangers before you go.

It's longer and a little more strenuous than you think but SO worth the trip. Gorgeous falls with a swimmable pool at the base. Lots of people so go early or late.

This hike is started in either the place where Devils Postpile is or you can drive a little farther and only have a 1.3 mile hike instead of a 2.5 mile hike. In late September obviously the water flow is not as good as in the spring or summer but it is still a worthwhile hike to take. There are some good stretches where there is no shade.

It was an awesome day. Went for my honeymoon. Pictures can only give you a glimpse of the dimension of beauty this place has. My wife and I were blown away with its beauty. Definitely worth the hike. Family friendly. Gods creation is awesome.

Rainbow Falls - wow, really beautiful falls!!! The hike is 1.3 miles one way, it's a nice walk to the falls - not completely flat though but manageable. You have to take mandatory shuttle from adventure center to get here. Get down at Stop 9 and start the hike. On the way back, you can either go to Stop 9 or Stop 10 (where the store is - you can buy some snacks or soda/mocha etc). Please note that shuttles do add a time overhead, so please allow yourself enough time. I would suggest doing this hike in afternoon - there will be lots of people then but that's also a time when you can get some great pictures!

While visiting Mammoth Lakes, CA we hiked up to the Rainbow Falls. If you time it just right, you can get the rainbow reflection from the sun's rays hitting the water molecules of the Falls. This was spectacular and worth the hike. Warning: no telephone reception around here.

This is definitely not to be missed when you are in the park. Just make sure each person in your group carries water, a hat and sun screen as most of the hike is unshaded. But once you reach the falls, the view is amazing, you can see rainbow most of the time from upper view. And the best part is the view of lower falls with about 200 steps.

This is a must see. We went on horseback and then hiked down to the waterfall and out our feet in and it was just incredible.

Great day hike while in Mammoth Lakes. Somewhat strenuous to go all the way down to the water, but if you do you can go swimming!

In season you have to use the shuttle bus, costs $7, but avoids paying the national monument entrance fee if you do. Fairly easy walk from the shuttle stop to the falls but the going is sandy, so trainers would be best. If you walk on to the lower falls there is a nice swimming hole.

This is a popular trail so just like, my review on Devils post pile you need to get here early. You can hike from Devils postpone or drive to the trailhead for Rainbow Falls. The trail has some hills and it took us 90 minutes roundtrip with 15 minutes direct at the falls. Be sure to carry water. There are not any bathroom facilities.

Getting here may take a little time, but well work the hike for anyone visiting Mammoth lakes in the Summer. There are two ways to get to the Falls--the usual way is to take the shuttle from the Mammoth Mountain Inn down to the start of the hike to Devil's postpile and continue past them and you'll reach the Falls. It's the most scenic but takes longer as it follows the Merced River. The shorter, dustier hike is from the pack station at Red's Meadows. Take you time and bring water to hydrate yourself because it is usually quite warm and dusty and the elevation can cause some nausea and headaches if you haven;t acclimated to the elevation. Once there, you can hike to rocks to get to the falls or enjoy a picnic lunch and enjoy the cool mist.

Walked from devils postpile on a well laid out but dusty trail. Well signposted on way. Lovely views of fall but not a day for rainbows!

This is a great hike out past Devil's Postpone. It's a good, easy hike with little elevation gain. We always see a rainbow at the falls!

First time here and I'm glad we did it. Its quite a hike so be prepared and bring Lots of water. I had my two children, 6 and 7 years old, they managed to finish the hike

Rainbow Falls is a short hike from the trail head accessible by shuttle from the Mammoth Mountain resort. The falls is totally spectacular.

Amazing hike with great views of the falls and a lovely place to have a snack while you cool off in the water. We started our hike at the Devil's Postpile parking lot. On a Friday morning it was almost full by 845am. The hike takes you right past Devil's Postpile which is amazing. We hiked all the way down to the falls and wet our feet in the water. We stayed for a few hours having snacks and taking in the scene! We loved the wild flowers and the falls! Definitely a hike worth doing but go early or later in the day! It is hot and dry on the way back in the hotter part of the day so take plenty of water! There are also no facilities!

With kids 7,9,11 and a warm day I was concerned this may all turn bad but not so.
The falls are great and still flowing well despite the drought.
We did not see the rainbow as we came in the morning to avoid the heat.
Walk down the steps, feel the cold water, relax and enjoy.

There are two ways to get there. The short way is less than a mile and the ong way is a nice hike, but is about 2+ miles.

Inthis region from Lone Pine to Mamoth lakes and further on to Yosimite NP you wil find great nature and splendid view points.
Mamoth Lakes is rather a smal place but with many schopping facilytis

Shuttle will drop you at the parking lot... The hike is about 1.5 miles to the top of the falls... Views of the falls were incredible even in the California drought... For the people really in shape, travel down the hiking trail and see the falls from where the water is....

The hike to the falls is easy, it is flat and basically on a dirt/sand road. Don't let the steep stairs down fool you, there are only a few, then it becomes a dirt path again. I was brave enough to wade into the water, it is numbing cold, but fun. Make sure you look around and enjoy the flowers near the falls. This is a beautiful waterfall!!!!!

The Falls are worth seeing. The hike is warm with little shade due to a large fire that swept through the area over 20 years ago (recovery is slow).

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.

Easy hike although it's pretty exposed to the sun, so bring a hat & wear sunscreen. There's a couple viewpoints, one up top almost always has a rainbow from the mist of the waterfall and the lower viewpoint (an easy hike down) shows it's size pretty well.

To make the hike a bit easier, start/stop (or at least one) from the trailhead. It's accessible from Devils Postpile just fine but it's not terribly scenic since a fire devastated the area and the trees are just starting to regrow (it's quite exposed to the sun).

This is a wonderful hike. It's easy on the way because it's mostly down hill. Way back...uphill, but not bad. Make sure to take plenty of water, even for your dog if you take one. It can be quite warm. We packed a lunch, water and had good shoes on. The falls are beautiful and well worth the hike. You won't be disappointed, just plan ahead.

Taking this hike is a family tradition!! Take lots of water and snacks for the long hike. Make sure you dress in layers since once the sun jumps out from behind the mountains, it gets quite warm!! Picture opportunities are endless so ensure you have a good camera and plenty of memory!

it is more than a mile hike from postpile visitor center but worth the visit. Nice vistas but way to the fall at the water level was closed for repair and that was a disappointment. Quite windy place.

2.1 miles round trip - lots of kids on trail but a must see in area

Limited parking - i went late in day

A very nice walk through different environments, fall colors were nice, path well marked, falls were wonderful even though I went late in the day.

Great hike back to see the falls. Some people swam at the base but was way too cold for me ! The Devil's Pit Pile is along the hike back. We did the trail on the lower track coming in and then went up the higher track on the way back to see the formations. It's worthwile to see them from above.

After a hike of about 6km from our parking lot, this waterfall was a very nice rewarding sight. You arrive at the top of the falls, unfortunately we couldn't see a provided walkway down to the water basin - we would have loved to take a refreshing dip.

This is a great local hike for one new to the area, or even doing it again. One of the more popular hikes, you will see plenty of other people, especially on weekends. But, I highly recommend this hike. Gently rolling terrain, streams, and a lovely waterfall at the end, before turning back. Pack a snack and enjoy the beautiful Sierra!

We started out hike from the Devils Post Pile Ranger Station. We arrived around 8:30 am and there were already many cars there. I suggest you start early. I know there are times you have to take a bus to get there because the parking lots fill up. I heard due to COVID the busses were not running but the lots were filling up fast So arrive early. From the Post Pile parking area its 2.5 miles to the falls The trails is easy with just a couple hills that may get you breathing a little faster. We hiked with our 11 and 13 year old kids and it was super easy for us. The last 3/4 mile to the falls you are in open sun so bring sun screen. We were here in mid July and started at 48 Deg. air temp. By the time we got back it was 83 deg. Once at the falls there are some amazing views and a steep stairway that leads you right down to the water. My Son and I took the rocks right to the bottom of the falls where you are getting wet. It's a great spot to take a break and enjoy the super cold water prior to hiking out. Bring water, sun screen, and maybe a snack. We saw many people that looked like they were not in good enough shape to be hiking this trail. Many looked like they were unprepared and had no water. People were sitting in the shade looking like they were about to pass out. So take water not a can of Monster, maybe a good snack, and plan plan a couple hours. There are many things to see along the trail and make sure you check out the wood bridge that crosses the San Juaquin River. Its located about half way down the trail and only 150 feet off the trail. This is where the PCT trail crosses the rover.

So the hike is worth the view. Start early and bring water. plan on a half day and check out the Devils Post Pile which is on the same trail. It's well worth the effort and a great experience.

Its hard to describe once you get here. After hiking from devils postpile, this is a great reward to relax your feet to dip in (yes its a bit cold) and just enjoy the beautiful falls.

In short: just GO!

This is a fantastic hike (a few miles past Devil's Postpile). So if you are in Mammoth during the late spring or summer, take the bus and enjoy the hike. You get great views from both above and below the falls. Word of advice - at the end of the day, the buses tend to be full, so sometimes it is better to get on the bus going further out and then let it loop around, rather than waiting until it is heading in the right direction.

If you appreciate natural places of beauty you will like this place, Rainbow Falls. It's approx 2.5 mile one way walk but it's worth the effort plus you will walk past Devils Post Piles so two hits in one.

Carry up hiking past Devils Postpile and about 3 miles along throw flora and fauna you will eventually come to rainbow falls which I'm assured early in the year is fully gushing but in August it was more of a trickle! Beautiful scenery, lovely views, persevere with the long walk it is worth it.

I have been coming here for many years. Because of the California drought the falls were terribly low, but that didn't keep the crowds away. It's was Labor Day weekend after all. We ended hiking down to the lower falls. We had the whole place to
ourselves. The kids even got to swim.

Intermediate Hike, but worth seeing. Carry water and food with you. Can be hot in the summer, so best to do this as a morning hike, however, the Rainbow is usually best seen at noon or later. Hike out seems mostly uphill. Beautiful Scenery. Horses share the path, so step carefully around their droppings. Horse back rides can be arranged at the Red's Meadow Pack Station. Small supply store and restaurant located at the base of the Vehicle road.

The fire damage is shocking but reaching the waterfall makes the long hike worth it. Take lots of water!

This waterfall is stunning. We parked at Devil's Postpile and walked past it to get to the falls.

The scenery on the way wasn't quite what we expected as there have been forest fires in the area in recent years and the trail could be classed as 'accessible'; there were people pushing buggies along it and there were several large groups.

But seeing the falls for the first time really gives you a 'wow' moment. The best views of the rainbow are from the first stop, but there are also 2 more stops if you continue on for a few more minutes which take you to the base of the waterfall. Prepare to get drenched!

On the way back we took the fork for the Ansel Adams trail and it felt a bit more remote and was more of a challenging hike which we really enjoyed.

Continued on to Rainbow Falls and then Lower Rainbow Falls after going to Devil's Postpile. The hike is nice and exposed to sun for some long stretches. Part of it takes you through an ecosystem that was affected by fire previously, which is interesting to see. The river runs along in a canyon to the side of the trail.

Rainbow Falls is large and impressive, but I enjoyed the tranquility of the smaller Lower Rainbow Falls. It's safe to swim at the latter location as well.

We had a great day in a great place.Hiking and picnic with our children and grand children. Unforgettable.

We set out to Rainbow Falls after fortifying ourselves with a nice lunch at Red's Meadows Cafe. In the morning, we had hiked to Devil's Postpile, and according to the map provided, Rainbow Falls was equidistant from our starting point. That turned out not to be the case. We expected a .6 mile walk, which should have taken about an hour there and back. Instead, as we were about 20 minutes in, we met two young men coming back. They said we were about half way there. We walked a bit further and two more young men were coming back. We asked if the hike was worth it. They shook their heads and said, "We don't know, we didn't make it there." We walked a bit more and came across a family of five resting on boulders. We asked if they had enjoyed the falls. They also said they hadn't made it. The father of the family told us that if we hiked a bit further, we would come across a sign that said .6 miles. We kept going, but the sign did not appear, so we decided to give up and go back. Later we were told that when one reaches the falls, it is still an additional 40 foot drop to get to the shore. Had we been aware of the distance, we would have planned a hike with an early start time and a picnic lunch to enjoy when we arrived. It was obviously too ambitious of a project to be tacked on to another event.

Did the 1.3 mile hike (each way) to the Rainbow Falls. It's pretty easy for adults, but can be pretty long if you have young kids. My 3 year old made it (with me carrying part of the way). The waterfall is very cool to see and there are 3 view points for it. You can even hike down to the bottom right where it falls to the water below.

This year Rainbow Falls are at there peak due to the great snow fall this past winter. We met people from several countries taking pictures of the beautiful falls. Every time the sun broke through the clouds, a rainbow formed on the left side of the falls.
The Rainbow Falls are one of the many beautiful sights of Mammoth Lakes.

Did the Devil's Postpile/Rainbow Falls day trip using the shuttle. The hike was very straightforward and easy to follow. The falls are great, with a few different viewing spots for those who don't want to climb back up. The upper and lower falls have areas where those who like cold water can swim and it wasn't too crowded, but there was a wait for some of the prime photo areas. The shuttle was a bit frustrating, as lots of people were on their way back and we were doubling back to pick up stragglers at other stops when we saw empty shuttles waiting at Red's Meadow.

Nice bus ride to get there. Not a bad hike at all but gets hot. We walk up the top of the Devil postpile, went down the bottom of the rainbow falls and to the lower falls, it’s beautiful.

We visited after Labor Day, which is off season and you can drive your own vehicle all the way down to the Devil's Postpile parking area. Was a great hike, especially given cool temperatures (35dF).

My boyfriend and I hike regularly. We did this hike on our recent trip to Mammoth. It was crowded, but well worth it. Got some great pictures too.

Hiked to Devil's Post Pile, Rainbow Falls, and Red Meadows - about 4 to 5 miles roundtrip. The best part was soaking feet in water at falls! Met grandkids at falls - they took shorter route with parents from trailhead for the falls, about 2 and half miles roundtrip. Falls are gorgeous with large swimming pool at base of bottom of falls. Grandson swam under falls with his Dad. Next time I will bring suit under hiking clothes and water shoes - tough walking in water without good water shoes. Also I needed hiking poles to get down and up the steep steps leading down to base of falls.

After seeing the Devil's postpile, you can walk about a mile and a half to see the falls. There is a nice viewing area at the top and you can actually walk down to the area below the falls. Some of the hike is expose so make sure have a hat and water, it can get hot.

Midweek visit. It's quite a trek to get to the falls, but it's worth it. Great photo ops.
Note: There was no shuttle stop at the end of the falls as a shuttle driver led us to believe, so we had to hike it back the mile plus to the #9 shuttle stop.

I have been to Rainbow Falls many time in the last 20 yrs. You can drive to the falls or hike from Devils Post Pile. This area which includes Red Meadow and Devils Postpile is only accessible once the snow melts, usually middle of June until Sept. Or the first snow fall.To prevent a lot of traffic you must take a bus unless you go before 7 or have a handicap placard. I've always driven and it's so much better.
From the parking lot at Rainbow Falls it's about a 15-30 min hike depending on your speed. Once you get there climb down to see them from the base. You will see the 150ft drop and a rainbow that is formed by the light. Be careful the wet rock can be slippery.

This was a short hike to a beautiful waterfall. The hike is slightly downhill to the waterfall and of course uphill coming back but not very steep. We were there around 3-4pm and there was a beautiful double rainbow at the falls.

We visited the adventured center a few days in advance and got our (mandatory in summer) Devils Postpile shuttle tickets in advance to avoid the long lines. On the day of our actual visit to the falls, we caught the free 8 AM purple shuttle from the Vons shopping center & then the 9 am bike bus from the village. Upon entering the monument it was easy to see why the shuttle is mandatory with a narrow, winding, one lane road. It was also nice to let someone else do the driving so that we could explore the scenery that was being described by the driver.

We got off at stop 6, the visitor center and did Devils Postpile first. We then returned to the visitor center and took the bus to stop 10 which was the pack station and got extra water. The general store they're also had snacks and the best selection of area postcards that we've seen in Mammoth Lakes.

It was a short walk to the Rainbow Falls trailhead, and then a 1.2 mile walk to the falls- mostly downhill and partially shaded. We arrived at the top of the falls a little afternoon and the rainbow had not appeared yet. Re-proceeded to the next lower level where it was even more shaded. There we stopped for a lunch of PB&J which was shared with some very aggressive chipmunks-one of which was working the zipper to our backpack to gain entry to the Oreos & other snacks!

The stairs down to the bottom of the falls were closed due to maintenance, so we waited about 30 minutes and return to the top of the falls for a partial rainbow photo op. The trip back to bus stop 9 or 10 for the return ride is pretty much uphill through the forest where you get to see the remnants of the downed trees from the amazing 200 mph "blowdown" in 2012 that the shuttle driver told us about on the way in.

It was an amazing and worthwhile day.

the water like fell, bro it was absolutely mad. it was kinda like a sideways lake that water totally fell. one complaint; there where no fornite

Hike beyond the Postpile. You don't want to miss the falls. Gorgeous! The hike was a little longer than we thought, but it wasn't terrible AND the payoff was worth it. Awesome beauty!

The hike to this fall is worth it. You can hike from Devils Post pile or from the trailhead right near the bus stop. It is not an easy hike - I would call it moderate. Beautiful views along the way. Do make sure to climb down the staircase and get to the bottom of the falls. You can swim at the base, hang out, etc.

Couple of things to note: You will have to take a bus from the adventure center at Mammoth Lakes to get here. The bus tickets get sold out ahead of time. So, book them a few days prior. If you do not have a reservation, you will need to wait a MINIMUM of 2-3 hours before you can board a bus.

If at all possible, hike early in the morning. There is not a lot of shade on the trail. So, it gets pretty, pretty hot in the afternoon. Take tons of water.

Rainbow falls is worth the walk/hike. It lives up to its name of reflecting rainbows. Wear bug spray because there are mosquitos.

We have been going to Rainbow Falls for years. It can be tiring, down hill path, can be tough if it's a hot day. We went in September 2019 and it was a pretty warm day. There were a number of people on the path, lots of dogs on leashes. We had heard that you can see a slight rainbow around noon which we experienced. There are also cement stairs that lead to the bottom of the falls. They were too steep for my husband and I, but out daughter whom is 36 years old checked it out. Lots of people also see Devils Post Pile which connects to the tail to the Rainbow Falls.

This is a nice easy hike a little over a mile to Rainbow Lake. The lake is beautiful but the trail is crowded, very popular.

Take the shuttle to the Rainbow Falls stop AFTER Devil's Post Pile. It's less crowded and downhill and only 20 min hike to the falls. Start early before 9 am to beat the crowds. Signs are confusing. The falls are gorgeous. The crowds are the only problem. I didn't go down the steps because kids were throwing rocks. You are going to be sore after this hike. It takes about 3-4 hours. I also hiked the lower falls. There are bees due to the wildflowers. This hike is hard for kids under 5. It's too long for little kids. Poor dogs, they were overheated. There should be a ranger at the falls. People are so stupid.

I'm sure it's as stunning as everyone says hence the 5 star but sadly we were unable to see it for ourselves. Make sure you check ahead! We went to the visitor centre today to catch the shuttle bus to then hike to the waterfalls but there was a notice on the ticket office dated 7July saying the road is closed due to storm damage until further notice. It's rather an epic walk from the visitor centre (some 14 mile walk and v steep).

we walked the trail from the devil's post pile and it was pleasant. the falls had a rainbow and the trails to and around were well done and safe. it is popular so lots of people.

We hiked here after viewing Devil's Postpile. The hike to it is a little long and unexceptional. Much of it through burnt-out forest. But the falls are great. Highly recommend taking the trail down to the lower level. We definitely saw a nice rainbow emitting from the mist from the falls.

The hike is an easy hike. The fall are beautiful from up above. If you want to actually get in the falls there is a fairly large set of stairs to hike down and then of course back up.

Adding some Covid-related details. I hiked this on Sunday 7-12, and with Covid, the shuttle was not running.

We arrived at 7:30 am and the parking lot was about half-full. When we embarked on our hike at 8:00 am (we had breakfast first at the picnic tables), the bottom parking lot was close to full. When we left at 11:30, there were 16 cars in line at the ranger station up top (although we did pass about 10-12 cars on our way up, so they were clearly letting cars in at a decent rate).

The hike itself was wonderful; 5 miles there and back, with an extra mile if you take the detours. About 50-60% of people wore masks, but the trail is wide enough that you can stand to the side when unmasked selfish hikers walk past (ahem, WEAR A MASK WHEN HIKING). The hike in at 8:00 am was wonderful; we passed maybe 10 people. The hike back out a couple hours later was much more crowded; we passed maybe 100+ people.

TL; DR: Arrive by 7:30 or 8:00 to make sure you get a parking spot. AND WEAR YOUR MASK WHEN HIKING.

The Red Meadows, beyond the Mammoth main lodge, offers up the Devils Postpiles and Rainbow Falls. Both are worth your time. Here is the case for Rainbow Falls.

During the summer season and in between 7am and late in the day, the only way in to Red Meadows is on the shuttle from the main lodge, so, plan accordingly, If you are up early and adventurous, get an early start and save the shuttle fee. OTOH, the rainbow at the falls may not be visible early in the morning because of the position of the sun. Depending on your drop off point, it's a 2m round trip, one that you can combine with the Devils Postpiles.

The rainbow is best viewed from a couple of high vantage points just before you reach the falls. A solid rock staircase will take you down to the bottom of the falls where you have access to the river that forms; the water is cold but that doesn't stop the adventurous.

With children? Are grown ups that act like children? Pack some sandwiches, snacks and drinks and picnic somewhere.

see the picture

Okay first bring water ten essentials and such. Sunglasses and a hat the sun is merciless at imes. The hke is a reverse hike down then up n the way back. The hike to the falls bottom is worth it but 160 feet straight down then the bad part ..up.

The devils postpile is on the way.

Bring extra botyles of water to give to the fools who forget. Go early the lot fills fast

Beautiful BUT unless you are a HIKER...do not start at stop 6 GET OFF at stop 9, they did not tell us that and we walked, in the heat, for the 2.5 miles that felt like 5 miles and luckily we met a lady that told us we could have got off at stop 9 and was only 1/4 mile to the falls!! UGH.. TAKE lots of water!!

A great place to
Visit and a reasonable walk to get there.

Take water if its hot as its about a 5 mile roundtrip to the base of the falls. The walk down to the base of the falls is vert steep so its not suitable for everyone.

We thought it was amazing.

This was about 2 miles past the Devils Postpile. This trail was shady in the early morning (around 9:30) so was wonderfully pleasant. The falls are beautiful. We chose to go back up to bus stop 9 or 10 (1.3 miles uphill) instead of hiking back to the original bus stop at the ranger station. The only downfall was the bus driver with a very bad attitude. (Debra?? shoulder length blond hair.) One man on the bus confronted her and asked "who do you need to be so rude". She responded we was not rude "just efficient." No she was RUDE. More importantly, she took the curves WAY TOO FAST.
Wait for another bus. They come every 20 min.

This hike is definitely recommended. We went from bus stop 6 to Devil's Postpile and from there to Rainbow Falls, and back to bus stop 9. It tool us 1.5-2 hours of leisure hike through pine trees and open areas. Enjoyed every minute of it! Bring water on hot days.

Moderate 2.5 mile (each way) from the Devils Postpile. Hike is relatively flat and you can see the river at many points. The falls are beautiful and a great place to eat lunch.

It’s a very pleasant 2 1/2 mile hike from the car park to the falls. Wonderful scenery en route, including the Devil’s Post Pile basalt rock formation.

Take the kids and enjoy a beautiful hike. Terrain is easy, but a bit far for a four-year old. Very interesting landscape completely shaped by the elements of nature.

If you are into hiking. This is the best place. The trials are a little hard for little ones, but for adults it is the best. The Rainbow Falls is beautiful, but the steps to get to the water fall are close right now. But over all I enjoy the outdoors. You can take your vehicle down the hill or take the shuttle.

Walking to here from Devils postpile. Although it's 5 miles back and forth. Lots of up and down make it a little diffuclt for usual people. But it will be worth it.

It was an amazing sight to see the rainbow spectrum from the waterfall's spray. The roar of the falls is also very incredible to hear. I even took a swim in the pool below the falls looking up at the water flowing over down the cascade, quite impressive. It is a nice hike, on a well marked trail from the visitors center near Devil's Postpile. We packed a lunch and it was the perfect place to rest and enjoy the splendor of the High Sierras. The hike back is enjoyable as well.

Hiked from the Devil's Postpile stop to Rainbow Falls and then up to the Red Meadows lodge to catch the shuttle back to Mammoth Mountain. The hike to Devil's Postpile was nice and easy as described in the brochure. However, the hike from Devil's Postpile to Rainbow Falls was so dusty all of our feet and legs were covered by the time we reached the falls. The hike from the falls back to the Red Meadows lodge (#10 stop) was all uphill and definitely of high intensity. I would not recommend this hike for young families as my husband ended up carrying our 7 yr. old on his shoulders for most of the hike. We actually became a bit worried we were going to miss the last shuttle back up the mountain.

Really enjoy the Bus drive into The Valley and the mountains around. We took the hike from Devils Postpile to Rainbow falls. Great hike that direction. Bring water and a snack. The hike from rainbow falls back to the bus stop is all uphill.
Beautiful scenery !!!!

Can see why it's called Rainbow Falls. You can see a rainbow when you come upon it. Enjoyed it very much. Not too busy and enjoyable. It was hot because it was in June, but still liked it.

Awesome falls! You have the best chance of catching the rainbow if you go around lunch time or shortly afterward. We were fortunate enough to see a rainbow, and it was beautiful.

There were parts of the hike that were a little steep, but overall, it isn't a hard hike. Lots of shade where you can take a break. Well worth the trip.

This was the primary reason for wanting to visit this area. per my earlier review, we went to Minaret Falls then Devils Postpile before hiking on to Rainbow. Very dry there due to lack of rain. pretty good long range views due to a fire some years before.
The viewing area is fairly crowded, although there are two upper locations to view the falls.
There are also stairs down to the bottom of the falls as well.
I believe it was about 1.3 miles up to Red Meadows where the bus stop was, mostly uphill.
There is a general store, cafe, bathrooms, riding stables and small cabins here. It is a backpacking stop for many. PCT is nearby and Ansel Adams wilderness. Depending on the time of day, you may have to wait on more than one bus. It gets quite crowded towards days end and the standing room situation is challenging on the windy road back to Mammoth Mtn.
Would definitely recommend!

It's lot of walking without shade (alot of the walk is through a burn area still not grown back) but it's a very pretty falls. I wish there had been a rainbow for my photos as a reward for my hard work, but alas, no.

We carried on from devils postpile (after taking the shuttle) and walked. Further 2.5 miles to Rainbow falls. There was no access to lower level observation due to construction work but the main viewpoint was lovely. Very hot walk with little shade. We followed oath to bus stop 9/10. We only then could find signs to by stop 10 which was a very steep hill back. Hard work in the hot sun as there was no shade. Finished at Reds meadow bus stop 10 where there were restrooms and a small camp shop. Lovely walk well worth it.

We were here in mid-September, just after the buses stopped running, so we were able to park at the trailhead. Since we did Devil's Postpile first the parking was slim but we were able to park in the first lot right up front. The bathrooms weren't the cleanest but so much nicer than some of the other places I visited. We went with our 4 years old who did 98% of the hike herself (she's very adventurous). For me, the hike was a little hard but I'm, not in shape and have back issues. There were a lot of people on the trail but all were nice and happy to see each other. Once we reached the falls it had nice walls where you could sit down and see the views. Watch children around here though. I felt safe with my child but for those who let their children wander or not watch them carefully, I would take note here. When we went the bottom portion was closed for refurb and the crews were amazing, waving to my daughter. I would have loved to go down to the bottom to see the waterfall up close but didn't feel like I missed out not going down. There are a few places you can stop and have lunch/snack but no restrooms or trash cans at the waterfall overview so plan for that.

We hiked this in the afternoon knowing that's the best chance to see a rainbow. The train is very exposed but relatively easy. The sun baked us the whole time so dress accordingly. Because we came in October the water spray didn't have the volume to produce the awesome rainbow that everyone has expects to see. Still worth the trip and the lower falls were pretty as well. We couldn't hike to bottom because the trail got wiped out from a slide.

This gorgeous waterfall is well worth the walk from the main carpark. I think it is about 3 miles from Devils Postpile but it's well worth it as the beautiful rainbows appear in the mist of the falls. You can see the falls from above and below and it's a gorgeous area to reward you from the walk - worth it!!

I'm not much of a hiker, but the trek through scenic tree-shaded hills, up and down the mountains soaking in the blue skies and scattered burned tree trunks was exhilarating. A good calorie burning 2 miles later took me to the beautiful Rainbow Falls, and there is indeed a rainbow formed by refracted light at the base of the falls.

We saw this attraction after seeing Devil's Postpile. I would recommend Rainbow Falls over that attraction any day! So beautiful to see! The rainbow could be seen from up top, so we got a couple of good pictures, then hiked down below and spent some time at the water. It was too chilly for me when we went, but nice to take your shoes off and relax for a bit. Definitely plan on spending a little bit of time at the falls. NOTE: wear hiking shoes!! I saw so many people wearing jeans and sandals. It is a 1.5 mile hike to see the falls along a dusty trail. The trail is a relatively easy hike but mostly in the sun, so also pack some water.

Do this early in the day before the sun is too high because the sun will fry you. 300' elevation gain on the return

The hike in is not for flip flops or sandals. Bring water and sunscreen. The hike is filled with great views and wildflowers. Rainbow fall is an amazing example of the beauty of California.

Actually our visit to Rainbow Falls my husband says was in 2014. While many were hiking it, we chose to horseback ride to the falls. Talk about a great time!! Plus you tie up the horses at the falls and have roughly 25 to 30 mins to enjoy the area. It is a beautiful area. It dod not dissapoint. The rainbow was there. If you visit Mammoth, Rainbow Falls is a must visit.

We got there early and were hiking back around noon and everyone we passed were asking the same question... Is it worth the hike? The answer is yes! We drove to the Devil's Postpile parking lot and the road is only sketchy in one area. We got there by 9am and there was no traffic coming up the hill so it was an easy but winding drive to the parking lot. The hike to the falls that is beyond Devil's Postpile is fairly easy if you are in decent shape. You are at 7500+ feet and everything is more difficult if you are used to living around sea level. There are some areas that rise and fall a few hundred feet over a short area but most of the trail is close to flat. The trail is well marked and beautiful. We saw numerous small animals and a doe and some fawns. The San Joaquin river was flowing nicely and the falls were beautiful. We were there in early October and the weather was perfect. Make sure you have a small pack with some water and trail snacks so you can take a break along the way. The drive out required care and concern as you are heading up a steep narrow road that has blind curves with more traffic than we found at 9am. Hopefully the drivers coming down the hill realize they are the ones required to get over at the various turn outs when they see someone coming up the hill. You also have to be careful of people on bikes. I would not want to attempt this drive when the shuttle buses are running in the summer.

This is a great 4 mile hike from Devil's Postpile. It is an easy run/hike. The water level is low compared to previous years but still beautiful.

Beautiful short and scenic hike. Nice to see the falls at all angles. Steps now allow you to go to the base of falls. Walk a bit farther to the lower falls during high water season for another aspect of this region. Very well marked trail and good for all levels of fitness. Lots of dogs on leashes on this trek.

I made the mistake of getting off at stop #6 at Devil’s Postpile, then continued on the trail and walked down to Rainbow Falls. They warn you it is hot, and trust them, it is hot. Most of the trees were lost in the fire back in the 90’s, and little have returned, so there is virtually no shade. It was also a very sandy trail. If I had to do it over again, I think I would get off at stop #9, or at the store at stop #10, and walk down to the Falls first. It’s mostly down hill. To turn it into a longer hike, from the Falls I would walk back to the Postpile. Although it is slightly longer, I think it is less steep than returning to stop #10. Because of the route I took, I didn’t find this a very enjoyable hike. It was hot, sandy, and I continually felt like I was walking uphill. It’s a good thing that the payoff is a river, waterfall, and granite peaks on the West side to make up for the barren land on the East side.

Although not the best time (low water levels) it was still great cascade in a wonderful sylvan setting. Worth the hike.

Perfect easy hike. My youngest has been going on this trail since he was 3 and my parents (in their early 70s) had an easy time along the trail as well when we took them. We’ve had to take the bus down once which we didn’t care much for, but it does drop you off at the trail head

Rainbow Falls was a neat place to see, but the trail down the the bottom of the falls was closed. Plus, it was pretty crowded with people, but it was opening day. The hike was real easy through desert surroundings. The Falls were pretty, but if you had a short time I wouldn't recommend this. The logistics to catch the bus in and out is pretty not awesome.

Gorgeous! It is a bit of a hike down I f you have knee issues, but so worth it. The trail gets hot in suu ear son, so leave early. Don't miss out on hanging out at Red's Meadow and visiting with the hikers off the PCT and JMT who have stopped in for re supply! Their stories enhance your experience!

This hike is certainly worth it: great view on the Rainbow Falls and you can also hike steps down to the bottom of the falls. We saw rainbows at the falls and it is for sure an unforgettable hiking tour.

Our walk was during a very busy Saturday in July so the trail was crowded but still pleasant. We started at Devils Postpile and the Rainbow. The two teenage boys were excited about going in the water downstream from the falls. BUT...construction on the trail down from the top of the falls means you cannot walk down. We had the option of hiking a mile to another part of the stream, but opted to have our picnic lunch on top and then head back instead. It would have been nice to know if the construction ahead of time so the boys wouldn't have been disappointed.

One of the most amazing Waterfalls I have ever see, and there really was a rainbow! If you have a few hours bring some lunch, a swimsuit and go to the base of the Falls for an unforgetable experience. Read more about my experience on my blog at: www.closet-creep.com/2015/07/mammoth-ca-highlights.html

A little more of an effort than Devil's Postpile but well worth it. Go as early as possible, bring nutrition bars and water and a bathing suit if going in July or August. The wild flowers are crazy beautiful and there's plenty of shaded areas to picnic. Remind your kids to not liter or feed wildlife.

When we were hiking the near about mile road from the shuttle stop we were thinking this better be good and boy! it was great! The hike is totally worth it.
make sure you go on a sunny day to observe the rainbow.
beautiful spot amidst the nature.

We took the $7 bus ride down into the valley to see Devil's Postpile & Rainbow Falls. The 2 mile walk can be really hot (and we arrived at the falls at 12 noon) so be sure to pack plenty of water! We brought a picnic lunch to enjoy at the base of the falls, but there are many areas on the hike that would be great picnic spots. The hike itself is mildly strenuous and there is a steep stairway to the base of the falls, so young children and older folks may have a tougher time. For all others, it is worth your time!

Rainbow falls is about 6 mile round trip from the car park. Just follow the path past Devil's Postpile.
In the heat, remember to take plenty of water as the path is dusty, uneven and has a number of steep ups. But it's absolutely worth it. Take in the scenery along the route and keep an eye out for your chickaroo companions along the route.

It is 2.5 miles intermediate hiking and you need sunglasses, hat, sun screen and water.To reach there you have to drive almost 10 miles by car or by bus.The road is very narrow but beautiful.

A longest journey and quite a walk, but worth it. When we were there yu could still see large areas of fire damaged forest.

Great hike out of Devil's Postpile. Gorgeous scenic route. Recommend, start early as the last part of the hike is in direct sun. Even though they say the hike is 2.5 miles, in actuality, it is longer than that. It is 2.5 miles to the upper falls, another .5 mile to the lower falls (which is well-worth hiking on down to) and then another 1.5 miles back to the shuttle. I had my fitbit on and we walked closer to 5 miles and climbed the equivalent of well over 50 flights of stairs. Well worth the hike. . .start early in the day. . .wear a hat. . .bring water and sunscreen. Enjoy!!!

The 2.5 mile trail out to this site is extremely well maintained and easy to follow for first time hikers. No equipment other than a comfortable pair of shoes and some water is necessary for a fun outing to a great destination.

A must see when visiting Mammoth lakes very scenic. I could have stood there for hours admiring this beautiful place.

Hard hike. Our kids made but too much for seniors. Beautiful once there, swimming in the pool is fun. Just being in nature and the beauty of the falls in awesome.

Take the shuttle bus and strap on your boots for and enjoyable hike to a great view of the falls. The trail meanders along the river where you are rewarded with a spectacular view and photo op of the falls.

Not much to say about it than this, must be nice to see the water flowing, but in agoust was dried, so that I can't really give a good review about it...

Go all the way down to watch the falls; it is truly spectacular. We have been here often; never gets old.

I took my 5 year olds on this hike 17 years ago and had to bribe them with ice cream to finish.Fast forward to today and I was accepting the bribes to finish.lol
That said,this is an easy fairly short hike.Bring plenty of water and remember it was over 85 degrees and at a very high elevation.
The fall was awesome and I’ll let some pics do the talking.

These picture can never give you the true beauty of this place.
Oh yes it was getting dark and we got lost in the dark for two hours...fun, fun.

We did a combo Rainbow Falls/ Devils Postpile hike. It was a trek, perhaps 5+ miles from the general store and back. I expected a cool waterfall but we got so much more! It was a most picturesque spot and we had it all to ourselves for over 1/2 hour (we traveled the last week in August.) It must be noted that to make this trek one needs adequate clothes, shoes, water & sunscreen if making the hike in the noon-3 time frame. The falls are quite mesmerizing! It still amazes me that natural sites such as Rainbow Falls hold so much more allure than anything man-made at least in my opinion.

I've been hiking up here a few times and never got to rainbow falls. Absolutely beautiful. If you love hiking this is a must!

We enjoyed seeing Rainbow Falls! It was so awesome to see it! We purchased tickets for $15 each at the Adventure Center. We got a round trip shuttle bus ride up the mountain and a ride back also! The road is very steep and windy and also under construction. We were happy to leave the driving to an expert! We stopped at stop 6 first and walked a 1/4 of a mile to see Devil’s Postpile first. After walking back out we caught the shuttle to stop 9 and began our 1.4 mile hike to Rainbow Falls. There were people of all ages hiking the trail. Some people had their dogs with them. We noticed that on the bus the dogs were required to be muzzled. We would suggest wearing good sneakers or hiking boots. Bring plenty of water, too! After viewing the falls and taking some pictures, we hiked another 1.4 miles out to stop 10 because it was after 3 pm. The buses do not stop at stop 9 after 3 pm. We were very happy to visit Rainbow Falls after having visited Yosemite the previous few days!

Rainbow Falls is the most popular,it is quite beautiful and worth the hike, it is about 2 miles from Devil's Postpile,We took the route to the top of Devil's Postpile ,the trail from Devil's Postpile to Rainbow Falls was moderate to easy,very wide and accessible ,very scenic and enjoyable,but dusty,all of our feet and legs were covered by the time we reached the falls,we stopped several times to admire the beautiful sceneries around us as there are some pretty spots along the way,also the route passes through burnt-out forest(Ansel Adams forest area )by lightening strike in 1992.There is not much shade so do take sunscreen and plenty of water and a hat!
Rainbow Fall was pretty impressive even when the flow is not as strong and it is an amazing to see the rainbow spectrum ran across the water from the waterfall's spray.There are several viewpoints which allow you to admire the falls from above and capture amazing photos.
We continue to Lower Falls ,which is 1 Miles round trip,it is nice, but not quite as large or impressive,so it is not a must-do.
There are not any bathroom facilities.
So if you visit the Devil's Postpile, make your way to Rainbow Falls,enjoy and takes lots of pictures.Be sure to bring Water and a few Snacks for the trail.

We took the loop track down to the waterfall & this was where we saw both a deer & a fox. Take the early bus to maximise the time you have before zillions of other people arrive.
When we returned to the bottom of the mountain at 10:30am the line for the bus was about 85 people deep.
The walk to the falls goes through slightly different landscape which make for a nice contrast to the Potspile forest.
Definitely worth the few extra miles.

easy hike but HOT. Rainbow fire wiped out most of the shade on the trail. Bring hats and lots of water.

Came here with the family, we got in the water even though it was cold because it was just too beautiful so we didn't care..

It's a popular hike to these beautiful falls. Crowded hike along the way, yet the falls are a must see.

Minor hike of 1.25 miles. Go midday to see the brightest rainbow. Go when full moon is high and you get a Moonbow, no joke. Usually at least 4 colors come through strong under full moon.

Rainbow Falls is flowing throughout the summer, despite any droughts. There are two trails to it. To get to the trail head, you have to take a tram from the ski resort. You can get off at a stop that gives you access to Devils Postpile and then on to Rainbow Falls OR you can just get off at a stop that will then lead you directly to Rainbow Falls.

Lovely hike to an even more beautiful waterfall. Must see this spot when hiking in/around Devil's Postpile area. Allow extra time to walk dow and visit trails that go down to the base of the falls.

That balls were beautiful. I would encourage taking a little extra time and walk to the pools above the Falls the water is very cool and refreshing on a long hot hike!

With Covid 19, we highly suggest you get to the trailhead parking lot and start your hike well before 8:00am - (There is no shuttle service for the summer of 2020 due to Covid 19). Otherwise, you’ll be hiking with a lot of people who Do Not social distance and only around 5% of the hikers wore any face coverings while crossing on the trail or at Rainbow Falls (where it was very crowded).

FYI - check the hourly temperatures before you hike. It was 35 degrees at 5:00am and 36 degrees at 7:30am. It was also 74 degrees at 12:00pm. The “Rainbow” was only slightly visible at 12:00pm.

The hike is Very beautiful and an easy hike down to the falls from Devil’s Postpile. The hike back is a steady uphill climb. There are no restrooms and no potable water along the trail, so plan accordingly. Water is available from the San Joaquin River, but you’ll need to filter/sterilize before drinking.

It’s approximately 0.4 miles from the Parking lot to Devil’s Postpile and 2.0 miles more to Rainbow Falls (2.4 miles one way, 4.8 miles round trip).

Highly recommend for the beautiful scenery, but beware of those who do not wear face masks and do not social distance.

Some other reviews have suggested hiking to Red’s Meadows Resort from Rainbow Falls, which is 0.9 miles each way. Red’s Meadows Resort are cabins, a small store, and a cafe. We don’t think it’s worth the 1.8 additional mile hike. Instead, we suggest going to Minaret Falls (2.6 mile round trip) from the Devil’sPostpile area.

After a 2.5 mile hike, we finally made it. It was gorgeous. I was the only one in my favorite brave enough to go down the very steep, uneven stairs. It was worth it. The water felt amazing.

If you visit the Devil's Postpile, make your way to Rainbow Falls. It's a 5 mile round trip but magnificent when there is a lot of water in the river. We saw it the last of May and it was grand. The trail is moderate to easy. We both thought the Postpile was interesting but without the Falls, well, it would not have been so much fun. Go early in the morning or you will be caught up in scads of people.

Rainbow Falls and Lower Rainbow Falls were beautiful, and the hike to them was fantastic. Be Careful on the edges.

This is a lovely hike. Highly recommend. It's fairly easy. Go early to avoid the crowds. Maybe bring a swimsuit and towel for an Alpine dip.

Wonderful Waterfall and trail. Unfortunately, some of the trail still has residue from the fire, but thankfully new growth is coming. The falls are a spectacular site to see and well worth the short hike from devils post pile.

I have been there twice, and the hike is just right for me, about 2 miles each way, just guessing. You get to pass Devils post pile, a geological wonder. It is a shady walk, so you don't get too hot. I took my dog, on leash,and he liked it too.

We had come up in the middle of the day to do the hike and the trails were a little to crowded so we decided to come back the next day early. It was a much better hike as few people were out walking. A must do and not a difficult walk.

This gorgeous waterfall is a must do if you are visiting the Mammoth Lakes area. You will need to take the bus down from Mammoth Mountain and get off at the Post Pile exit (also a great visit). The hike of about one and a half miles is very exposed so plan a morning hike. You will travel through a zone that was burned out in the 1990s. This is quite interesting to note with youngsters how long a forest takes to recover from a fire. The falls are beautiful and worth the hike down to the bottom just to soak. I would also like to suggest you hike another mile down the trail to Little Rainbow Falls. Both places are great for a picnic, but you must carry your own food and water in and out.
And don't forget the suntan lotion.

The hike is moderate take water, once you get to the falls there are steps to take you down to the falls if you wish. Remember its easy going down however coming up is a different story :) The kids will love the falls .

Just gorgeous! The sound of rushing water and the lovely trees all around are awe-inspiring. The hike in and out is not bad, but remember that you are in high altitude. Bring water, take your time, and enjoy the mountain air!

This is a beautiful hike! It's only 5.9 miles (round trip) to hike Devil's Postpile and Rainbow Falls. If you go to the Postpile, hike on top to see the amazing formations. Then off to Rainbow Falls! It is well worth the short hike to the bottom of the falls to get the full effect of the rainbow. Can be very warm in the afternoon.

We hiked about 3 miles each way, past the Devil's Postpile, up and down over a sometimes rocky trail. Then, up one last hill, next to the creek we've been following, and voila!! Beautiful falls. Magnificent even in this dry year. A bit further along the trail are the lower falls. There is a shorter route if you hike on an alternative trail from a different bus stop. Well worth the hike.

it was a 4 mile hike from Devil's Postpile trailhead but we stopped several times to admire the beautiful sceneries around us. Our family of 11 had the consensus that this was more awesome than the one in Hawaii. You can see a rainbow around midday when the sun is at its highest point. There are several viewpoints. It is only a mile hike to bus stop no. 10 and the bus is usually standing room only so try to be first in line.

This was a nice 5 mile hike (after devils post pile) to the water fall but i would not trek to the lower part of the fall unless u having nothing better to do. It adds another good hour on to you hike.

After reading the reviews we decided to come before 8 am. We decided to start our hike at the lower parking area of the Red Meadows resort. Even around that time parking was relatively full.
The hike I feel was about less than 2 miles round trip. It is a fairly flat trail with some shade. It’s best to wear a hat, sunscreen and face covering when hiking this trail. Bring a small snack and water bottle too.
Rainbow falls is a beautiful sight to see and truly worth the hike. Most people were wearing mask or face covering and the trail is wide enough that you can stay socially distant. But it can get crowded nearer to the falls and the stairs going down to the lower falls can get crowded.

We loved our hike up to Rainbow Falls! We took the tram to Reds Meadow from up at the Main Lodge Adventure Center for $15 each. It was well worth it to not have to worry about getting there before 7:00am (or after 6:00pm). Also, the road is very narrow and windy and it's just better to pay for the nice round trip. We bought our tickets online a day or so before,but you can get them at the window of the Adventure Center before getting on. I just wanted to make sure they didn't sell out. We got up there at about 9:15 which I think is a good idea to start early if you can! We stopped at #6 to hike to Devil's Postpile first (actually Minaret Falls as well - one mile each way up and back). To do all of these was a great day! The views at Rainbow Falls are amazing. Go down the stairs to the Lower Falls to see them up close and feel the mist!

This is a really nice hike to the falls. If hiking is not something you do regularly you may have to stop and rest a bit. It is mainly a dusty trail with beautiful views throughout. There is not much shade so do pack sunscreen and water. I will say during this hike I saw several families with small children who were not happy(parents or kids) Its a long hike for little legs or parents who end up carrying children. If you choose to do the stairs down to the falls, you can go in so plan accordingly. Also, once you get to the falls the hike back out to where you can pick up the shuttle bus is at least another mile. It was an enjoyable day.

This is a great view and a fun hike. It is on the easy to moderate side. What's nice is that there are various ways to access the falls so you can pick the length that works best for your group. I like starting at Devil's Postpile ranger station and then finishing the hike by turning up towards Red's Meadow.

This is a nice hike and easy for most people, even with small disabilities such as knee problems. The hike is on a well-maintained trail and there are a few large logs where you can sit to rest if necessary along the way, although it's only about a mile and a half to 2 miles, depending on where you start. But with the higher elevation and lack of shade on most of the trail, we saw some people who needed to stop along the way so be sure to bring plenty of water and plan your hike around the temperature so you don't get overheated. Once you reach the falls, there are a lot of stairs to reach the base of the falls - there were a lot of people down there the day we visited so we decided to continue to Lower Falls, which was another mile further. We were delighted to find it almost deserted - only one other person in the area - and we had a very enjoyable lunch spot after a short, steep climb down to the base of the falls. Lower Falls isn't quite as 'tall' as Rainbow Falls but we found it nicer because it was less crowded.

There were also two nice viewpoints at Rainbow Falls and another nice viewpoint at Lower Falls, which also has the 'rainbow' effect, for anyone who doesn't want to climb down. Both of the falls were very beautiful and the trail to reach them was also very nice, too. Great place to take kids or just to have a pleasant easy hike in the mountains!

The hike was sensational saw the old fire and hueprrican damage and new growth. Rainbow,falls is fine. But access is dicey.

its a good hike from devil's postpile but if you have a car then drive to red meadow's resort and park in the parking lot there and the hike from there is shorter.
did not see any rainbow over the fall as the water wasnt that much due to the summer months.

Per the recommendation of some hikers online, we started our hike around 8 am (this is in mid-July 2020) and arrived at the falls around 9 am. There were very few people on the trail and at the falls during this time. It did start getting busy around 10:30 am. The trail is well maintained. It has a fair amount of shade in the beginning but gets sunny towards the end. This is why I'd recommend making it a morning hike because it can get very, very hot. You can combine the Devil's Postpile monument and the Falls into one hike if you park at the main visitor center. The trail was dog-friendly and we saw many furry family members on the trail. Elevation change is manageable - some people may want to bring trekking poles for some of the stretches of elevation.

We trekked up to see the falls from postpile which is about 2.5 miles. It's probably not so bad in the early morning but it's hot in the sun with no shade coverage. There's a bunch of uphill areas so if you are not in the best of shape- like myself it could be tough. My husband carried a 25 lbs baby in a backpack carrier and was straining ( he plays hockey 3 times a week). If you can it's another 2.5 miles to the base where people were going in the water and looked amazing and fun we just didn't have the energy in the middle of the day.

Definitely worth seeing as part of going to devil's post pile and rainbow Falls together when visiting mammoth lakes. Be prepared for the altitude. The distances are not that long but the altitude takes a lot out of you.

This hike is only moderately difficult, and for me that was mostly due to the altitude difference in where I live. The reward when reaching the falls is well worth it.

My family took the shuttle from the main lodge down. At first I thought we should have tried to drive down, but with the narrow, one-lane road, it was easier to sit back and enjoy the ride. We hiked to Rainbow Falls from Devil's Postpile. The total distance was 2.5 miles to the falls, which made for a short, but fun hike.

Should be added to a visit to Devil's Postpile. You are not allowed to drive your own vehicle down there during normal daytime hours.
The fact that you have to take a bus to the bottom of the road makes a two-fer more reasonable.
Rainbow Falls is at the end of a 1.2 mile walk from Red's Meadow. Very spectacular view from several available vantage points. Bring some water to drink.

We walked to Rainbow Falls on the trail that continues from the Devil's Post Pile. Unlike the gentle stroll to the Post Pile, the trail begins and ends with flights of uneven stairs and includes several steep climbs. There are some pretty spots along the way, but much of the route passes through a burned area that is slowing recovering and was not at its best at the drought-affected time that we were there. Despite the reduced water flow at the falls, the view there was a nice reward after the walk. There are so many alternatives for great hikes in this area, I'd suggesting saving this route for earlier in the summer when there would likely be more wildflowers.

We walked approximately two miles to reach this waterfall but the view was well worth the hike. Shame we could not walk down, but the pathway was closed due to falling rocks.

A fine hike over rolling terrain under the back side of Mammoth Mountain past the Devil's Postpile and a forest burned by fire years ago, takes you to this wonderful falls. Yes, Spring flows are spectacular, but the falls are worth the walk all Summer. Take a picnic lunch and plenty of water so that you don't have to run off after your walk. Find picnic tables by the river at the parking lot. If you can take a brief diversion, head up to the top of the postpile for a little different vantage point on these basalt columns. A steep trail with stairs takes you down to the base of the falls.

the hike to the falls is not very hard if you take your time, that is if you are a senior like we are, and it's not a falls to write home about, it's not like just enjoying the beauty of the mountains, but if you are in good shape, the hike should be a piece of cake...think it's about 4 miles round trip.

We visited the waterfalls whilst hiking around the park They are beautiful and definitely worth a visit

See my review on Devils Postpile and go spend your time in Lakes Basin instead, it's free and you can drive your own car there, unlike here.

Having said that, this is actually more interesting than Devil's Postpile, so if I was going into this hot smoky valley instead of Lakes Basin I'd make the hike to Rainbow Falls. But just skip the whole "must pay and ride shuttle" thing and go hang at Lake George.

My wife, adult son and I made the hike to the falls from the falls parking area. You know that as you drop down and continue dropping that you have to make the up hill climb back. We made it to the falls and walked down the stairs to lower level. It is very beautiful and we didn’t see a large rainbow, we could see rainbow colors. They say to be there at noon to see the RAINBOW. Spent some time and then made the hike mostly uphill to our car. If a 59 year old man can do it most anyone should. I would do combo post pile/ rainbow falls next time. Very nice!

My family and I went horseback riding to Rainbow Falls as we didn't feel our 6 year old would make the hike. We saw lots of adults, kids and dogs out hiking the trail but had a great vantage point high on our horses! I would highly recommend spending the day to make the trip (it's about 5 hours between the drive to and from, riding and stopping to take photos).

Really nice spot. Stunning sites at the end. The hike there is not too hard, fairly easy for kids to do. We went after the shuttle ended, arriving about 7pm and did the walk quickly before sunset. In hindsight it was a bit of an undertaking to do it so quick, but it worked and we had fun.

the walk was a fun experience for our family but it is more challenging than you might think 2 miles doesn't sound far but it has some incline and rough terrain so it is hard for anyone slightly out of shape. the tourist center in town kinda played down the level of difficulty so we came in jeans and didn't bring water, rookie mistake I won't make again. But the falls are nice and the walk there was a good time for my group of 11 and I would do it again and recommend it to anyone interested in a nice example of nature.

Long walk from shuttle to Devils Postpile to falls, to shuttle. Take water, hiking stick (I didn't think about the terrain and wished I had mine), good shoes. Read the signs and about the area and formations or it is just another pretty waterfall. Geocache earth cache site. Is swimming allowed? a couple was right up to the fall area. Didn't seem our sound safe. Not guarded.

Beautiful spot. Well worth the hike. The hike isn't too difficult and the falls are rewarding. You will need to catch the shuttle down unless you drive down before 7 am. Last time we came this way we left early and had breakfast in Red's Meadow, then stopped at a lake for fishing and a picnic in the afternoon. Lovely way to spend an afternoon.

Rainbow Falls is a nice hike....mostly all downhill...so pretty easy. Lots of trees at first, then you are out in the open as there was a fire years ago that pretty much burnt everything. So if it is warm out you have now shade. The Falls are nice though....can relax & have some lunch before heading back.

Not a hard hike, elevation takes a little getting use to. Do the loop so you can see Devil Postpile too! Make sure the falls water is still flowing!

I have been to the Devil’s Postpile a couple times before and went to Rainbow Falls (about two miles further down the park road) based on the recommendations of a waitress in town. It is a beautiful waterfalls – and can only assume it would be incredible in the spring time. The walk is great – there had been a fire on part of the trail about twenty years ago – amazing the destruction of a fire and how long it takes for nature to correct things.

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

The road down to Devils Post Pile and Rainbow falls is ungoing a major rehaul and was currently closed during the week when we visited. The shuttles also were not running as it was out ov season,so we drove. We were advised to go in the afternoon about 4pm by the rangers due to the amount of people going and limited available parking. The road was one scariest I have been on, you have to give way to all logging trucks and all uphill traffic, not easy when its one car wide in places and has a sheer drop at the side. If the shuttle is operafional take the shuttle.

We walked to Devils Post Pile first and as we enjoy hiking and are fairly physically fit we then walked to Rainbow Falls. Its steep in places and quite a challenging walk, well worth it when you got there, the falls are stunning and were running in September

Hiked to both the upper and lower falls with the wife. Absolutely worth doing. Not a particularly difficult hike if you start at the Falls Trailhead, just before Red's Meadows.

Very nice to be here. Beautiful scenery and waterfalls. The Twin Lakes are just so lovely. Not too many tourists when I came here in July.

Rainbow Falls is definitely worth the hike from Devil's Postpile. It's a pretty easy hike, and the falls are so pretty.

Enjoy the falls, but it will be crowded. We were sad because a group of drunk people had hiked to the crest of the falls and were seeing how close they could get to the edge of the water flow without falling off (which I fully expected them to do). It was a shame to try and enjoy this natural wonder when someone is whooping and hollering trying to cause a scene and get attention. You may not have this group to deal with, but just prepare to share the falls with alot of people. These people also tried scaling the loose rock above the falls and caused alot of erosion and damage as they repeatedly fell down the embankment.

Went to Mammoth for the weekend to experience and explore the area. The woman at the hotel recommended Rainbow Falls. So we hiked up to the falls. It was a wonderful day for a hike and beautiful. If ever in the area a must to see.

Beautiful walk/hike thru the Ansel Adams Wilderness. If you bring a dog, there is a spot where you can duck off to the right into the stream/river. Beautiful nature all around. The hike down to the waterfall is a lot of steps. Looks like it will be daunting on the way back up - it is, but not really. The falls are gorgeous even during this awful drought, you could still see the rainbow and sitting on the rocks taking in the sights and sounds is quite meditative and peaceful.

Went horseback riding to Rainbow Falls. It's so beautiful that you can even hike down to the falls. If you go midday, you can see the rainbow.

Beautiful waterfall. Easy trail. It is inside the Devils Postpile Nat. park so it is not a free attraction! The bottom view is amazing. If the stairs are open don't miss the view! Try to go to the Lower Falls. They r nice too!

A beautiful gushing waterfall awaits you at the end of the hike. You can see the rainbow that gives it the name from the viewing spot. Nice photo and selfie opportunity. The hike itself is alongside the river. You pass Devils postpile on the way [ depending on where you start ]... So you could combine both into one trip.

We stayed in Mammoth Lakes for 3 days and trotted long walks in the woods there, where we passed Rainbow Falls , which as the name says makes a constant beautiful rainbow .

Took a slow horseback ride out to Rainbow Falls. Beautiful. And of course the sun was shining and we could see a rainbow. Worth the hike or ride into Yosemite to see.

There are two (possibly more) hikes to get to Rainbow Falls. There is not a lot of shade due to the fire years ago so when they say bring water, they are not joking. The Falls themselves are beautiful and there were two rainbows that you could see when we were there. The hard part is finding a vantage point to include the rainbow in your photo depending on where it is which varies on time of day or time of year I suppose.

Walked from the Devils Postpile onto Rainbow falls on a very hot day.
I had spinal surgery 12 months ago & managed the walk but realised how unfit I've become as we had to stop to catch my breath & give my back a break. Fitness definitely key, still it's a wonderfully scenic walk with plenty of flora and fauna to see along the way.
Roughly 3 miles and the final stretch is all up hill to the rangers Station, shop, cafe and bus pickup point.

Rainbow Falls is about a 2 mile walk from Devils Postpile and the walk is basically flat on well-maintained dirt trails. It can be hot in the Summer so it's better to do it early. This year, because of the large snowfall at Mammoth (460" YTD at Main Lodge) the Falls should be spectacular and we plan to visit again even though we've been there many times. To access the area, take the bus from Main Lodge which leaves every 20-30 minutes and starts running around 7:30AM. If you plan to visit Devil's Postpile remember to walk to Rainbow Falls. Our granddaughter has done it when she was 5 years old but she is fit.
Check with the Ranger Station or Mammoth Main Lodge to make sure the road is open. There is a sign, just off of Hwy 395 (on Route 203) which will inform you if Devil's Postpile is open. If it is, you can access Rainbow Falls as well.

After hiking to Devil's Postpile and Minaret Falls this was a very good place to finish up the hike. There are a few locations above the falls for photos but to really feel the falls you have to do the hike down to the bottom and feel the spray from the fall.

This place is called rainbow falls because if there is any sun you see a rainbow from the spray all of water.

This is worth a hike. We saw a rainbow on the falls. but even better were the less visited lower falls which we had to our selves in the offseason. Good shoes are helpful as the trail is loose and gravely. There are great views and really its not a difficult hike.

must visit place, it a good hike of 2.5 miles from devil's postpile , but worth all efforts.
Great hike to take pictures :-)
make sure to take water and some snacks, the hike takes total 2 hrs.

Mammoth had another great snow season in 2019 so the waterfalls everywhere were stunning. Worth the visit.

If you're at Reds Meadow, definitely take the short walk to Rainbow Falls. We were backpacking, so hit the falls before walking to Reds (hint - stash your backpack in the woods before hiking down to the falls). We only walked to the upper falls - the view there was magnificent (see attached photo) and we really were looking forward to real food / didn't want to stay too long. Beware - it can get hot here and there's not much shade. Bring water...but definitely go.

Also a note - if you have a stroller as one family did. The soil here is very sandy and you'll have difficulty pushing it. You'd be best to leave the stroller behind and have your kid walk or be carried.