Rainbow Lake
- 0.8 mi
- round trip
- 72 ft
- climb
- 7,825 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Is Rainbow Lake open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Boise National Forest. It doesn't name 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.
Rainbow Lake is an easy hike of about 0.8 miles in the Cascade Ranger District of Boise National Forest in Idaho, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is an out-and-back with a total climb of about 72 feet, from a low point of roughly 7,744 feet to a high of about 7,825 feet. The route is natural-surfaced and open to both horses and bikes, so it works for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. The short distance and gentle grade make it a quick stop for anyone already exploring the area. Caton Lake lies about 0.4 miles away, and Indian Ridge and Log Mountain are both within about 4.5 miles. For an overnight stay, Four Mile and Poverty Flat campgrounds sit about 6 miles off.
Local outfitters
- Black Bear RV Park26 mi away
- Arrowhead RV Park32 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: Stupid Dingo, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Nickel Creek
~15 min drive
1.50-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 192 ft of elevation gain.
Photo: Stupid Dingo, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Dollar Creek Ridge
~18 min drive
11.20-mile out-and-back trail on Dollar Creek Ridge with 3,248 ft gain
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CATON LAKE
~8 min drive
7.12-mile out-and-back to Caton Lake in Idaho with 2,036 ft gain
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BLACKMARE CREEK
~11 min drive
14.5-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 5,633 ft elevation gain.
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CATON CREEK
~8 min drive
1.68-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 556 ft elevation gain
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Caton Lake
Next door
14.46-mile out-and-back trail to Caton Lake in Idaho with 656 ft gain.
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Riordan Lake Trail
~14 min drive
8.84-mile out-and-back hike in Idaho with 1,856 ft elevation gain and loss.
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Deadman Creek Trail
~18 min drive
9.04-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 5,715 ft elevation gain
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Poverty Overlook Interpretive
~11 min drive
0.52-mile loop trail in Idaho with 53 ft of elevation gain.
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INDIAN RIDGE
~7 min drive
4.92-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 2,551 ft elevation gain.
