Rainbow Lake Trail

Great hike to get acclimated but get there early because this can be a crowded trail.

Not the prettiest lake (more like a pond) but we found adventure by adding on lots of other trails.

This is a beautiful little trail that features lots of wildflowers. It is ideal for families with smaller children or for visitors from lower elevations to get acclimated on their first day. This trail is used by bikers so just keep your eyes open and move over when necessary. Tip: The current directions take you to a spot with no parking. There is free parking real close by at the intersection of 2nd Ave and S. Cabin Green. There is a sign at the lot that points you in the right direction to the Rainbow Lake Trail.

Nice hike to a beautiful lake on a well worn path. Our 4 year old walked the full loop.

Beautiful! Not too difficult, beautiful lake to take a break next to as well

interesting from a forest management perspective...lots of fuel reduction activity. lake was very pretty...

Great little hike. Watch footing because the path is rocky and has roots. Also watch out for dog poop in bags left behind (and out of bags). We were sad to see the poop bags left and not packed back out of the trail. The trail was heavily trafficked with runners, families and dogs. Still beautiful and easy. We loved the creek, wood foot path, Aspen trees and Rainbow lake.

Nice, quick hike. We went near sunset and it was beautiful. The first half is a nice walk through aspen trees. The lake is beautiful. Some rocky parts, so watch footing.

Highly trafficked. Lots of roots and rocks on trail. Lake beautiful.

The first half of this trail is like a magical fairy land with streams, bridges, logs, flowers, butterflies and large rocks. Then it opens up due to trees down. Great easy hike!

Enjoyed the trail today. Good for adults and kids. Quite a few people. Lake was beautiful.

Nice trail and nice scenery. A little congested but still worth it if you want an easy stroll.

Lots of shade and very green. Pretty easy but there are a couple of steeper parts that require careful footing. It is an in and out and no a loop. Beautiful!

Great easy trail with a great view

Great trail! Perfect level of difficulty and length for my 3 and 5 year old! They really enjoyed the lake at the end and the small creeks along the way!

Great, easy trail for a family. Hiked it with a 10 and 7 year old and carried a baby in a carrier. We saw a few beaver in the lake.

My 8 and 5 year old made it up easily and loved getting to the lake. If you go early, it’s not as crowded.

Great 45 minute hike. We did this with a baby on our backs. Someone left a giant dog turd on the boardwalk which was the only inconsiderate thing. 50% of people were wearing masks on the trail.

Seen moose off trail many times and have always given generous space or gotten off trail when possible but today was enjoying a nice breeze in the first clearing beyond the initial boardwalk and decided to look down at my phone for a moment, when I looked back up I was shocked I had not noticed the BEAR SLEEPING FEET AWAY FROM TRAIL. Slowly backed away to give it space to also enjoy the beautiful meadow which seems to be its new home and jumped back on peaks further down the trail.

Pretty and easy hike but a lot of dog poop on and along the trail (not bagged). I even stepped in some on the way down.

This is a beautiful hike in the woods with aspens and pine trees, a stream to cross and the lake area is beautiful. Pretty easy trail, lots of options around the area for longer trails as well. I would say it is great for beginners and out of town guests!

Nothing too spectacular about this hike for me. The lake at the end is anticlimactic, mountain views were nothing that you couldn't see from downtown Frisco, and there weren't many wildflowers. There were too many people for this to be considered nice and peaceful. Footing is tricky in spots. Older people may struggle a bit. I hate to leave negative reviews, but just want potential hikers to know that this is not a "must-see".

Easy trail for families and dogs with a great view of the lake at the top. My 6 and 7 year olds loved it. Parking is at “Zach’s Spot.”

Easy trail. Shaded path. Not much views till you get to the lake. Beautiful wild flowers.

Always a great trail to start out our time in the mountains! Nice and easy and can extend to other trails in the network! Keep your eyes out for the beavers at the lake and wild columbines even high along the trails! (Also get there early, the trailhead fills up...especially on the weekend)

This was a great trail for the family. We truly enjoyed the beautiful views along the way to the lake. Our children are ages 17, 9, 6 and 1. The 1 year old was in our hiking back pack on my husbands back. Easy 1 mile hike! So beautiful! Go early! We got there around 7am and as we were leaving around 8am there were a lot of mountain bikers starting the trail.

This is a beautiful hike suitable for all skill levels and very family friendly. Parking is at “Zach’s Spot” not at the exact trailhead listed on the map. We completed this trail today with our 8, 6, and 3 years olds. There are several very rocky spots on the trail where you need to watch your footing. This is a there and back trail—not a loop as listed above. We saw lots of wildflowers and some wildlife (mallard family) at the lake. Rainbow Lake is lovely and a great spot for playing/ a picnic. A beautiful mountain stream follows a large portion of the trail. And very few mosquitoes. Highly recommend especially for kids!

Nice hike to a beautiful lake. No problem with parking. A lot of near collisions with bikers.