Big Rainbow Lake
- 0.6 mi
- round trip
- 131 ft
- climb
- 8,112 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Is Big Rainbow Lake open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Boise National Forest. It doesn't name Big Rainbow Lake, so check the source for the area it covers.
UPDATED Sept. 19 - Crooked Fire Area, Road, and Trail Closure
Agency closure covering Boise National Forest · Order 0402-03-140 · USFS · Boise National Forest
Lava Fire Road Closure
Agency alert covering Boise National Forest · Order 0402-06-84 · USFS · Boise National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Boise National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Big Rainbow Lake is an easy, short out-and-back hike in Idaho's Boise National Forest, within the Mountain Home Ranger District. The route is about 0.6 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 131 feet, and it is an out-and-back. The trip starts and ends at the same point, with a low point of 8,005 feet and a high of 8,112 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is natural surfaced. Bikes are allowed on the route. The hike is open year round. Because the trail is so short, it works well as a quick add-on to a day exploring the area. Heart Lake lies about 0.1 mile away and Middle Rainbow Lake about 0.2 mile away. Big Roaring River Lake Campground is about 2 miles off for an overnight stay, and Big Trinity Cabin is about 2.4 miles away.
Local outfitters
- Camp Perkins37 mi away
- Riverpond Campground45 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
HIKE
Heart Lake
Next door
0.27-mile out-and-back trail to Heart Lake in Idaho with 82 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
Old Pack Trail
Next door
2.4-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 1,502 ft gain/loss
HIKE
Rainbow Basin
~3 min drive
8.94-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 1,057 ft gain.
HIKE
UPPER SHEEP CREEK
~5 min drive
14.62-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 4,539 ft gain/loss and 8,263 ft max elevation.
HIKE
Middle Rainbow Lake
Next door
0.38-mile out-and-back trail to Middle Rainbow Lake in Idaho.
HIKE
TRINITY CREEK UPPER
~5 min drive
3.30-mile loop trail in Idaho with 1,075 ft elevation gain and loss.
HIKE
TRINITY CREEK LOWER
~6 min drive
10.1-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 3,500 ft elevation gain and loss.
HIKE
SHEEP MOUNTAIN
~19 min drive
17-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 5,373 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Little Lookout Lake
~1 min drive
0.05-mile loop trail at Little Lookout Lake in Idaho
HIKE
MINERAL CREEK
~11 min drive
4.12-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 2,271 ft elevation gain and loss.
