Rainbow Falls via Devils Postpile Trail is a 4.9 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near June Lake, California that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from June until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURE: The roads leading to this trailhead, Minaret Summit Road and Reds Meadow Road, are closed during winter. For more information, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/conditions.htm Rainbow Falls is the highest waterfall in the eastern Sierras and is named after the rainbows that appear in the mist from the water flow on sunny afternoons. The trail is accessed from the Rainbow Falls Trailhead at the end of Reds Meadow Road in Devils Postpile National Monument and ends at a viewing area across from the 101 foot waterfall. This National Monument preserves and protects the Devils Postpile columnar basalt formation, Rainbow Falls and the pristine mountain scenery. There is a parking area next to the Devils Postpile Shuttle Stop. Although the falls are on National Park Service land, most of the trail wanders through Inyo National Forest.
California Travel and Tourism Commision, P.O. Box 1499 , Sacramento, CA, 95812-1499, Phone: 800-862-2543
Directions from Camptonville: Travel on Hwy. #49 east for 12 miles to the Cal-Ida Road, which is on the left just past the Indian Valley Outpost. As you turn off, not the mileage on your vehicle for future reference. Proceed north on Cal-Ida Road. After 4.5 miles you will pass the old Cal-Ida Mill. Directly after the mill the road forks. Follow the right ford for 11.2 miles. The road is paved and has become Forest Road #25. You will pass Indian Fire area and the Eureka Diggins area. One mile past the Eureka Diggins Area the pavement ends. From the end of the pavement drive 2.5 miles to a point where the road forks. Take the left fork, staying on Road #25. After 1 mile Road #25 veers to the left. Stay on Road #25 (do not take Road #25-29). After 1.5 miles more the road forks again. Take the left fork, still Road #25 (do not take Road #25-31). Continue for 1.7 miles to the next fork. This time take the right fork (do no take Road #25-32, which leads to the Morristown Diggings). Driving the last 0.7 miles, you will reach the trailhead where there is ample parking in the roadside.
March 20, 2021Crowded, but a classic waterfall hike definitely worth checking out. Gets a bit steep at the end (July 2020)
February 4, 2021September 24, 2020Love the trail, very easy and close to the parking lot, about two miles. I took my parents and they loved it.They didn’t go to the bottom of the fall for safety reasons, but they enjoyed the whole view from the top. I went to the bottom and the fall is majestically beautiful, however due to the long weekend, it was little bit too crowded, and made it hard to take good pictures up close to the fall . Maybe on a regular weekend and on a less Smokey day, I will be able to capture the rainbow
September 9, 2020Beautiful! We saw deers, squirrels, chipmunks. If you get their early you don’t pay for parking. Early is freezing!! So take layers!. Early not many people. Later on around 8-9am lots of hikers.
September 9, 2020It was a wonderful hike. You'll be greeted by tiny squirrels moving along the sides of the trail. Of course, the view of the rainbow falls, we hiked late in the afternoon, of course I did not see the rainbow but it's still amazing. People were jumping into the water as their prize once they reached the bottom part of the trail. I highly recommend this!
September 8, 2020I’m running out of adjectives to describe my hikes of late but this one was magical. The waterfall is so gorgeous. Hike down to the bottom and cross the water (yes you will get your feet wet) and go hangout on the right of the waterfall. Bring snacks and a drink. Definitely jump in and if you’re courageous enough go all the way to drop
September 7, 2020Such a beautiful morning hike. Saw the sun coming up over the hills and some deer & fawn roaming around. Definitely get there early. We arrived by 7, still plenty of parking but on our way out around 1030 the road to the parking lot was closed and everyone had to park farther up.
September 7, 2020Super easy, crowded. Go early otherwise the line is crazy.
September 6, 2020Very busy trail but easy and rewarding. Unfortunately recent nearby fires meant the sky was entirely hazy and smoky
September 5, 2020The trail was absolutely beautiful. You will for sure get a workout but it’s honestly not too bad. The only bad part today is the smoke and ashes from forest fires rolled in an caused a gloomy day. The water was very cold too.
September 5, 2020Has great potential but Labor Day crowds really took away from the experience.
September 5, 2020This is a great hike. The Post Pile is a wonder and falls are great even this time of year. Make sure to climb down to the base of the falls and get into the water.
September 5, 2020Arrive early as previous reviewers have stated especially if you don’t want to hike mid heat. We arrived about 0830 and parking was already limited since it’s Labor Day weekend. Unfortunately too many people not wearing masks and unaware of hiking etiquette. Otherwise trail is easy to follow and shaded for 0.6 miles the rest is open sun. Going down is easier than returning but doable with kids, just takes longer.
September 5, 2020Awesome great beautiful scenery lots of interesting thing and views, cool to see the new growth.
September 4, 2020September 3, 2020September 2, 2020always a beautiful hike. Recommend getting there early in the day during the summer months. Its always packed.
September 1, 2020Beautiful place!
September 1, 2020It was a great trail! We did the hike on 8/24. The Rainbow falls at the end is obviously the highlight. As you get started, the river is quite wide and then as you gain elevation you see less and less of the river. There are a few detours you can take on the trail. The first is via a bridge to another falls, the second is to the top of the Devil Postpile, the third is to the Rainbow falls, and fourth is to the lower falls. They all add about 2-3 miles to the overall trail. You can avoid these other trails if you just want to see the Rainbow falls. The view from the top of Devil Postpile is amazing! I highly recommend doing that one. We started early at about 8. We were at the Rainbow falls around 9.30ish. Due to the early hour and also it being a Monday, there weren't a lot of people there yet. We spent time by the falls and swam in the pool. About 11 when we were about to head back, the place became extremely crowded and it was impossible to social distance. We headed over to the lower falls which was less crowded and quite pretty too. If you want to swim without a lot of people around you, you should head over to the lower falls first. The water was freezing but totally worth it! Also, the latter half of the trail does not have a lot of shade and can get unbearably hot and uncomfortable. I'd recommend going early to avoid the crowds and the heat.
August 31, 2020August 31, 2020It was a perfect day, temperature between 55 and 65 degrees. We got there before 9 am and there were plenty of parking and not too crowded, but half of the hikers weren't wearing a mask. Coming out after noon still parking available.
August 31, 2020August 31, 2020August 31, 2020Amazing
August 31, 20205 star Trail, but knocked down a star due to crowds. Even on a Monday morning there were a LOT of people
August 30, 2020August 29, 2020August 29, 2020Way way too many people and most without masks not giving any appropriate distance. They need to limit the number of people and they are not. Very disappointed.
