Colorado · Hiking

Rainbow Lake

18.9 mi
round trip
2,002 ft
climb
11,476 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Caution at last check

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 18 h ago

Is Rainbow Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It doesn't name Rainbow Lake, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Rainbow Lake is a hard hike in Colorado's Gunnison Ranger District, part of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The trail is an out-and-back that climbs from about 9,773 feet to about 11,476 feet, with a total elevation gain of about 2,002 feet over a distance of about 18.9 miles. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trailhead is at Rainbow Lake Trailhead, which is open year-round. The route is natural-surface and allows horses, but not bikes. That makes it a viable option for riders on horseback, though the climb is steep and the distance is long, so plan on a full day. Nearby, Sun Park and the Sun Park Trail are both about 3 to 4 miles away, and Beaver Creek and Mill Castle are each under 5 miles off. For an overnight stay, Soap Creek Corral is about 9.6 miles away.

Local outfitters

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