Oregon · Hiking · Three Sisters Wilderness

Rainbow Falls

0.8 mi
round trip
73 ft
climb
2,957 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Oct
best months

Is Rainbow Falls open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Willamette National Forest. It doesn't name Rainbow Falls, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

Rainbow Falls is an easy hike in Oregon's Three Sisters Wilderness, within the McKenzie River Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest. The trail is an out-and-back that starts and ends at about 2,918 feet and reaches a high point of 2,957 feet, with a total climb of 73 feet. It's short, at 0.8 miles round trip, and flat for most of the way, with the steepest stretch at about 0.11 miles, rising about 5 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs near 83°F in July to around 75°F in September, with only a few wet days a month. That station sits roughly 800 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures up high run cooler. The trail is open from June 1 through October 31, and the trip takes about half a day. Bikes are allowed on the natural-surface route. Horse Creek is about 1.3 miles away, and Louise Creek is about 2.2 miles away. Limberlost Campground is 3.4 miles off, and Paradise Campground's McKenzie River Trailhead is about 5 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Rainbow Falls

    Best months: June–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      37° / 29°

      17 wet

    2. Feb

      42° / 29°

      15 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 31°

      18 wet

    4. Apr

      55° / 34°

      17 wet

    5. May

      65° / 41°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      72° / 46°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 50°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 49°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 45°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      60° / 38°

      12 wet

    11. Nov

      44° / 33°

      17 wet

    12. Dec

      36° / 30°

      18 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Belknap Springs 8 N, OR, 10.8 mi away at 2,152 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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