Rainbow Falls

Located in Wailuku River State Park, Rainbow Falls—surrounded by lush greenery and basalt lava rock—draws in visitors staying on the island, stopping by on a cruise, or hopping over from another Hawaiian island. You can visit the falls on a tour that also includes nearby Akaka Falls and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Waterfall chasers can take a guided tour of the Big Island’s top waterfalls, including Rainbow, while thrill-seekers can book an adventure tour that combines helicopter flights and ziplining.

• Rainbow Falls is a great stop for nature lovers, photographers, and first-time visitors to the Big Island.

• Rainbows are visible at the falls only on sunny days after a rain, and then the river is at certain water levels.

• The main viewing platform is wheelchair accessible via a short paved path; the upper overlook is accessible only by steep stairs.

• Legend has it that the basalt cave behind Rainbow Falls is the home of ancient goddess Hina.

Rainbow Falls is 2 miles (3 kilometers) from downtown Hilo. From Hilo, head west on Waianuenue Avenue and turn right onto Rainbow Drive. From the parking lot, it is a .2-mile (.3-kilometer) walk to the first (and most popular) viewing platform. A steep set of stairs leads to the viewing platform atop the falls.

The state park is open during daylight hours. The best time to visit the falls is in the morning on a sunny day, when chances are good for catching rainbows. Early mornings are also best for beating the crowds, which frequently arrive on tour buses between 10am and 2pm.

The first viewing platform at Rainbow Falls is a popular spot for nature photographers to capture rainbows against the lush greenery and turquoise water. If you want to catch the magical colors on camera, time your visit before 10am on a sunny day after a recent rain. If the river is too low there will not be enough water to generate the mist needed to create rainbows; if it is too high, the water will be muddy and the sky rainbowless.

No, you can’t swim at Rainbow Falls—it’s not safe to do so. You can, however, swim in the river above the falls, but you should be careful to enter the water only when it’s calm and there’s no rain.

No, unlike Akala Falls, which requires an entrance fee, Rainbow Falls is free to see. Plus, Rainbow Falls also has ample free parking and no hike is needed to see the falls itself, which makes it a great choice for budget-conscious travelers.

Yes, unlike other waterfalls in Hawaii that have long, round-trip hikes, Rainbow Falls is accessible for wheelchairs users. The walk to the falls is very short, so it’s easy to reach for anyone with mobility issues. The main viewing platform is accessed via a paved path, which wheelchairs users should have no issue traversing, although the upper overlook can only be reached by steep stairs.

This depends on the time and day and the weather. The best opportunity to see rainbows is typically on sunny days after rain, and on morning visits before 10am.

Rainbow Falls is close to downtown Hilo—about 1.8 miles (2.9 kilometers). If you’re driving or taking a rideshare service, the trip should only take between five to eight minutes. Once you’ve arrived, the viewing platform is a very short walk from the car park.

The best time of the day to visit Rainbow Falls is in the early morning before 10am, when you’re most likely to see a rainbow. Be aware it can be busy with other visitors, although tour groups tend to arrive after 10am.