Arizona · Hiking

Rainbow Rim

Rainbow RimPhoto: Kaibab National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
53.7 mi
round trip
1,178 ft
climb
8,541 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Caution at last check

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 22 h ago

Is Rainbow Rim open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Kaibab National Forest. It doesn't name Rainbow Rim, so check the source for the area it covers (4 listed).

  • Heavy storm damages received - use extreme caution

    Agency closure covering Kaibab National Forest · USFS · Kaibab National Forest

  • Christmas tree permits available online beginning October 8

    Agency closure covering Kaibab National Forest · USFS · Kaibab National Forest

  • Forest Road 354 on Kaibab & Prescott NF Temporarily Closed for Repairs

    Agency closure covering Kaibab National Forest · Order 03-07-26-02 · USFS · Kaibab National Forest

  • Effective April 17, 2026 - UPDATED - White Sage & Dragon Bravo Fires Temporary Area Closure

    Agency closure covering North Kaibab Ranger District · Order 03-07-03-26-03 · USFS · North Kaibab Ranger District

As of · Source: USFS · Kaibab National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Rainbow Rim is a hard out-and-back hike on natural-surface trail in the North Kaibab Ranger District of Arizona's Kaibab National Forest. It rises from a low point of 7,495 feet to a high of 8,541 feet, with an elevation gain of 1,178 feet on a route that totals about 53.7 miles. The Forest Service manages the surrounding land, and the trail is open from March 15 to November 15. The most comfortable stretch for a visit runs from late spring into early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at a similar elevation show May highs around 62°F and September highs around 67°F, with July the warmest month at about 77°F. The Parissawampitts Trailhead is the trailhead, and parking is at Rainbow Rim East. Bikes are allowed on the trail. Bill Hall Trail lies about 3.7 miles away, and the Rainbow Rim Trail for mountain biking is about 4 miles off. Tapeats Creek Trail and North Bass Trail are within about 6 miles.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.