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We had the falls on our list for the Hilo side, and we were really happy to see the falls and the surrounding area. First off, this is a very tourist spot. When we went here, there were literally 100 people here. So, don't expect it to be secluded or quiet. The falls are huge! In all honesty though, I was more of a fan of the amazing Banyan trees around the area. Like, the falls were neat to see, but the trees were so awesome. I could've literally stayed under the trees for hours. Very cool! Oh, fair warning: there is a fee for entry AND to park in the parking lot. And you basically pay twice if you go to the falls and the boiling pots. This was cool to see, but there are other falls in the area that don't require a fee. Just some advice!
7/20/26- beautiful waterfall. Small area to explore. $5/per person and $10 for parking. They have people monitoring so you can't get by without paying. They ask to see your receipts. There is an ADA accessible ramp for viewing on the bottom half. You need to be able to navigate stone steps to go on the upper half.
We made a pit stop here on our way back from the national park. You pull into a driveway and you have immediate access to the falls. Parking lot is tiny but people usually view, take a few pics and leave so just wait. There's only one attraction here - the falls so it's a quick stop to admire and move on. You can also climb up an access way to get a view of the full waterfall. Overall we enjoyed it but our viewing was muddy due to recent rainfalls
It's a beautiful waterfall. The lookout is steps away from the parking, which was good for us since we went on a rainy day. Restrooms also right there. This was a great quick stop.
Nature is still drop dead gorgeous, this time the park had updated and it's $10 for parking and $5 pp entrance fee. They made some updates and you can walk up to see the top of the waterfall, and public restrooms by the parking lot. Still worth a visit in my opinion.
Really great short trip to a quick view of rainbow falls. Actually cast a rainbow in the mist. We enjoyed this quick trip.
We discovered this beautiful waterfall during our day of waterfall exploring. It's conveniently close to town, easy to find, and absolutely lovely to see.
Easy to view waterfall. This can be a short stop, we got out of the car, went a very short easy walk to the waterfall lookout and got back in. You can walk to the top of the falls, but we didn't find that to be necessary. Parking This has a larger lot but when we went it was almost all parked up! I don't believe there were any bathrooms.
We made a quick stop at rainbow Falls after our visit to volcanoes national Park and before our 2 Hour drive back over to the other side of the island to Kona to join our cruise ship If you're adventurous, take a walk up the stairs that are basically made of stacked stone, but hang onto that rail as they are quite uneven, but the view from the top is well worth it! It's a busy spot and seems like a lot of tour companies stop here to give people a quick view. We were told that when the sun hits the waterfall at certain times of the day, it can create these beautiful rainbows, although this did not happen during our visit. Restrooms are available and we had a quick snack from our tour provider too- nice stop and I'm glad we got to see the falls!
Very beautiful water falls and you definitely get to see why they call it rainbow falls! There are many steps to get to top to see top off waterfall but not necessarily. My only complaint was that they made you pay for parking and per person. There was a fee that you had to pay through the state application. Very disappointing because you can easily park alongside of the street without having to pay and walk up some short steps accessible on the top of the fall and coming back down to see the waterfalls. There was also limited parking to see the waterfalls where you have to pay, and there was no restrooms available. otherwise very beautiful scenic stop and I do recommend seeing it because you will see a rainbow. finally pictures do not do it justice.
God's gift to man I tell ya! This was a quick stop as we toured a bit of Hilo, and I'd say it's a "must stop" if you're here for a short visit. It's definitely, and annoying touristy, so just keep that in mind. Yes, I'm one of them, so I hated myself lol. Features to highlight: ~ A big parking lot with tour busses parked. As well as cars full of people causing traffic. ~ A fairly long line for the restroom. A perfect stop for bus tours. ~ From the parking lot, you'll see the people along the fence-line checking out the falls. Taking pics, selfies, tiky-tok'ing etc etc. ~ Don't get me wrong with the negativity, it is fairly picturesque! I just cropped the tourists out. The day was sorta cloudy, so we didn't see any rainbows coming from the falls. ~ Take the stone steps to the right, up to the top, and you'll be gifted with a different perspective of the river above and the falls. ~ As you walk along the railing, you'll also be drawn into the tall trees that lead to the giant banyan tree. I'm pretty amazed with how vibrant a tree can be, and how much shade these large banyans provide. ~ We only spent about 15-20 minutes here, but we full-on enjoyed every minute of it! Side story that you don't have to read: As I was walking past everyone. A family had asked if I could take a picture of them. I kindly said, "Sure." Then some other random bonehead tourist stopped me and said, "I'll take their picture!" Fine, whatever dude, here's their phone. As I walked away, I heard Mr. Bonehead say, "I'll take several angles and we'll do a funny one, OK?" Hahaha, I looked back at the family, and they looked super annoyed.
Nice, easy to get to falls with an optional short hike upstream. There are also flush toilets, though they are very basic. There is a $10 parking fee in the main lot which is a bit steep as you will only spend 10-15 minutes here.
The falls are located near the medical center and Kaiser Permanente Hospital. It is flat at the ground level viewing area and can also be reached by stone staircase to see upper portion of the falls. This is an easy visit if you can't walk well.
2 months ago
Great waterfall Beautiful gals not much of a hike just a small walk from the tiny parking lot. Have to pay to park and enter. It was a gloomy day. Lots of bugs up Top by the pretty trees. read more
3 days ago
Like many other people who come to the big island on holiday, one of the things you do is go in search of at least a few of the area waterfalls. Even if the area you come from has some, chances are they/the surroundings don't look like this. Let me start with where the theme of this one is going to go. Of the five sets of falls we visited, same day on a Monday, Rainbow was easily the one I would have no trouble classifying as at best, underwhelming. Here's the scene. With this place now being monetized, you're looking at $5 p/p as an entrance fee and $10 per vehicle for parking. My issue with that is, you're still paying to park even if you come and the parking lot is completely full? Yepper. Like several others, we had to park on Rainbow Drive up the road from the falls as the actual parking lot was full. Scan the QR code or text for a link to pay and once you get on the grounds you are met with a small militia of people all out checking devices for payment. Once you're past them, it's with a right turn to the one viewing platform or a left turn and up a few steps to the elevated viewing platform. The right side platform has some placards about the history of the falls and of the myth/legend/lore behind them. The left side has the governmental PSA placards of listing the number of deaths from people that over the recent years attempted to go for a swim and it turned out poorly. Did we see any rainbows? No, as we were there a few days before Lala hit and it was cloudy/rainy almost everyday non-stop. Two other contrarian points: 1. For the fee, you also get access to Boiling Pots which is just up the road from here. I recommend that place over this one easily as there is far more parking, it's easy access and no one was there to enforce payment so at least the day we went, in theory that could have been a freebie. 2. This could also be a freebie as there is nothing stopping you from parking up the hill a bit on Rainbow Drive and walking through the Banyan trees to get to the backside of the elevated viewing platform/close to the water. It was being done while we were there. Kudos to those smart and adventurous people. I get it. If you're staying on the Hilo side, this one is close to downtown and it's easy & quick. I mean you could be in and out in 10 minutes no problem. With that said, to me, it's overrated and if you're going to spend money, Akaka is the way to go or hit up one of the other free ones rather than spending your hard earned money for something that is more a name rather than actual substance. read more
18 days ago
I get monetizing this spot because it's an awesome view, but don't charge an absurd $10 per car and $5 per person for what literally will take you maybe 15 minutes to check out before you want to move on. Also, if you go up the stairway to the top, there's a broken, rooted path to the left that leads you to a shaded grove. The rudimentary trail continues up, but abruptly stops where there are signs warning you not to enter or you will be fined. So I guess one dude ignored that and walked past the sign. He came back like 5 minutes later and said there was some half naked guy down there with his shorts down in some kind of trance and chanting something. Yeah, so don't go past those signs. read more
1 month ago
We had the falls on our list for the Hilo side, and we were really happy to see the falls and the surrounding area. First off, this is a very tourist spot. When we went here, there were literally 100 people here. So, don't expect it to be secluded or quiet. The falls are huge! In all honesty though, I was more of a fan of the amazing Banyan trees around the area. Like, the falls were neat to see, but the trees were so awesome. I could've literally stayed under the trees for hours. Very cool! Oh, fair warning: there is a fee for entry AND to park in the parking lot. And you basically pay twice if you go to the falls and the boiling pots. This was cool to see, but there are other falls in the area that don't require a fee. Just some advice! read more
1 month ago
7/20/26- beautiful waterfall. Small area to explore. $5/per person and $10 for parking. They have people monitoring so you can't get by without paying. They ask to see your receipts. There is an ADA accessible ramp for viewing on the bottom half. You need to be able to navigate stone steps to go on the upper half. read more
3 months ago
We made a pit stop here on our way back from the national park. You pull into a driveway and you have immediate access to the falls. Parking lot is tiny but people usually view, take a few pics and leave so just wait. There's only one attraction here - the falls so it's a quick stop to admire and move on. You can also climb up an access way to get a view of the full waterfall. Overall we enjoyed it but our viewing was muddy due to recent rainfalls read more
Nature is still drop dead gorgeous, this time the park had updated and it's $10 for parking and $5 pp entrance fee. They made some updates and you can walk up to see the top of the waterfall, and public restrooms by the parking lot. Still worth a visit in my opinion. read more
Easy to view waterfall. This can be a short stop, we got out of the car, went a very short easy walk to the waterfall lookout and got back in. You can walk to the top of the falls, but we didn't find that to be necessary. Parking This has a larger lot but when we went it was almost all parked up! I don't believe there were any bathrooms. read more
We made a quick stop at rainbow Falls after our visit to volcanoes national Park and before our 2 Hour drive back over to the other side of the island to Kona to join our cruise ship If you're adventurous, take a walk up the stairs that are basically made of stacked stone, but hang onto that rail as they are quite uneven, but the view from the top is well worth it! It's a busy spot and seems like a lot of tour companies stop here to give people a quick view. We were told that when the sun hits the waterfall at certain times of the day, it can create these beautiful rainbows, although this did not happen during our visit. Restrooms are available and we had a quick snack from our tour provider too- nice stop and I'm glad we got to see the falls! read more
7 months ago
Very beautiful water falls and you definitely get to see why they call it rainbow falls! There are many steps to get to top to see top off waterfall but not necessarily. My only complaint was that they made you pay for parking and per person. There was a fee that you had to pay through the state application. Very disappointing because you can easily park alongside of the street without having to pay and walk up some short steps accessible on the top of the fall and coming back down to see the waterfalls. There was also limited parking to see the waterfalls where you have to pay, and there was no restrooms available. otherwise very beautiful scenic stop and I do recommend seeing it because you will see a rainbow. finally pictures do not do it justice. read more
God's gift to man I tell ya! This was a quick stop as we toured a bit of Hilo, and I'd say it's a "must stop" if you're here for a short visit. It's definitely, and annoying touristy, so just keep that in mind. Yes, I'm one of them, so I hated myself lol. Features to highlight: ~ A big parking lot with tour busses parked. As well as cars full of people causing traffic. ~ A fairly long line for the restroom. A perfect stop for bus tours. ~ From the parking lot, you'll see the people along the fence-line checking out the falls. Taking pics, selfies, tiky-tok'ing etc etc. ~ Don't get me wrong with the negativity, it is fairly picturesque! I just cropped the tourists out. The day was sorta cloudy, so we didn't see any rainbows coming from the falls. ~ Take the stone steps to the right, up to the top, and you'll be gifted with a different perspective of the river above and the falls. ~ As you walk along the railing, you'll also be drawn into the tall trees that lead to the giant banyan tree. I'm pretty amazed with how vibrant a tree can be, and how much shade these large banyans provide. ~ We only spent about 15-20 minutes here, but we full-on enjoyed every minute of it! Side story that you don't have to read: As I was walking past everyone. A family had asked if I could take a picture of them. I kindly said, "Sure." Then some other random bonehead tourist stopped me and said, "I'll take their picture!" Fine, whatever dude, here's their phone. As I walked away, I heard Mr. Bonehead say, "I'll take several angles and we'll do a funny one, OK?" Hahaha, I looked back at the family, and they looked super annoyed. read more
4 months ago
Nice, easy to get to falls with an optional short hike upstream. There are also flush toilets, though they are very basic. There is a $10 parking fee in the main lot which is a bit steep as you will only spend 10-15 minutes here. read more
21 days ago
The falls are located near the medical center and Kaiser Permanente Hospital. It is flat at the ground level viewing area and can also be reached by stone staircase to see upper portion of the falls. This is an easy visit if you can't walk well. read more
1 year ago
Most people come to islands and enjoy chasing waterfalls. The majority of the time you have to hike to even get a glimpse of the waterfall, however Rainbow falls is perfect for anyone as it is a short walk from the parking lot to the view points. No strenuous hikes needed and perfect quick stop in your itinerary. Typically the morning mist and sunlight projects rainbows thus its name. Sadly I didn't see the infamous rainbow but was delighted to be one of maybe 8 people around. I got to enjoy the peacefulness and waterfall without mountains of people around. There is another we viewing platform as you climb some natural rock steps. As much as I love the adventure of a hike it was nice to enjoy with some family who aren't able to hike. read more
If you're visiting the area and looking for a quick, scenic stop that's perfect for group photos and family memories, this spot is an absolute gem. We stopped by as part of our sightseeing itinerary and were so glad we did. It's one of those classic, iconic destinations that truly captures the natural beauty of the area -- and it's easily accessible, which makes it even better if you're short on time but still want to soak in some stunning views. The waterfall view is breathtaking, especially if you catch it during good lighting (golden hour was gorgeous!). The main lookout offers a postcard-perfect angle of the falls, but if you're willing to take a short walk, there are a few elevated areas nearby that provide even more impressive vantage points. Great for panoramic shots or just enjoying a peaceful moment surrounded by nature. Parking is limited, and the lot itself isn't very big -- but don't let that discourage you. We found that spots turn over quickly since most people stop here briefly for photos and to take in the scenery. With a bit of patience, you can usually grab a stall without too much hassle. It's not a long stop -- you probably won't spend more than 20-30 minutes here -- but it's totally worth it. This is the kind of place that makes for a perfect family photo op, a nice breath of fresh air on a road trip, or a romantic detour if you're exploring the area as a couple. There aren't a ton of amenities (no major facilities or shops at the viewpoint), so plan accordingly -- but honestly, that's part of the charm. It feels untouched and natural, and you get to focus entirely on the beauty of the falls and the surroundings. Highly recommend this as a quick but memorable stop for any tourists or locals showing guests around. Don't forget your camera -- you'll want to remember this one! read more
First stop on our waterfall tour (on our own) and did not disappoint! Very pretty and almost got the rainbow effect. There are a couple different viewpoints in this state park and got best views all around. There is even a ramp for wheelchairs to see one of the views; a different view is up some on the hill and can be a climb up there (not wheelchair accessible). Very cool and very pretty. The tree at the top was crazy with the roots. Water was a Nice flow and have seen pictures of it raging - I bet it's intense! There are restrooms on the other side of the parking lot; also some shops across the way. read more
If you are in Hilo, this should be on your itinerary when visiting Hawaii. It's a quick stop, but worth your while. Plenty of parking, but can get busy when those big bus tours arrives. Rainbow Falls is easily accessible straight from the parking lot. The waterfall is beautifully flowing, you'll get a glimpse of a rainbow. Great spot for pictures or just relax while listening to the crashing waters. read more
10 months ago
Amazing to walk down the many steps with railing for comfort then up steps to see this beautiful waterfall. It's a must see along your path throughout your day. read more
2 months ago
20 days ago
4 months ago
Super neat to see, but not worth $22 to see. There's no hiking just small walking trail to the view. You can't go close to falls at all read more
Accessibility to this waterfall is great no hiking required if you are trying to do a lot of things in one day. You can park right outside and walk to it very quickly. Due to this, it's a popular tourist spot and can be difficult to get a good picture around all of the people along the railing. It's quite beautiful but we unfortunately did not get to see a rainbow during our visit. read more
Easy to visit attraction in Hilo. We stopped by today. Easy to get to, and the falls are right by the parking lot, so there isn't a lot of walking needed. There was a rainbow, as advertised, and we walked up the several vantage points, taking pictures to our hearts content. The massive banyan tree at the overlook above the falls is worth the short climb up. Happy to return! read more
1 month ago
Our friend told us to check this waterfall out. We arrived and they were doing landscaping and took up most of the parking lot. I was able to wait for a parking space in just a few minutes. The waterfall is very pretty and it's one of the ones that you can see without walking at all. To see it better it was a short climb up so stairs and you get to see it all. There are at least three vantage points to take awesome pictures It is clean and so nice to view. A must stop place. read more
2 years ago
Rainbow falls is considered a drive up fall, we spent about 10 minutes here. I would say it's worth seeing if you're 10-15 minutes away, but don't drive over an hour to see it. It's not very impressive as you cannot get close to it. There are two spots you can view the falls from. The parking lot has limited spots but it is a quick turnaround so just be patient. read more
2 years ago
Short walk to view beautiful falls. - No parking fee or hiking fee - Easy walk to hike - Parking lot is smaller - Great stop on your island tour - we visited here after the botanical garden but before the volcano. read more
From the parking lot to the observation deck only 1 min walk, no hike needed. The parking lot is kinda small but turnover pretty fast. There's no trail to walk down or get closer to the falls from the parking area and observation deck. read more
Not really a hike, more of a lookout. The bottom lookout has the best views of the falls itself and is wheelchair accessible. To the left of that overlook, go up the couple of stairs (a bit uneven) to another lookout. The big rocks and boulders prevent a clear look of the whole waterfall (just the top) but you can see more of the Wailuku River and a couple of waterfalls upstream (inaccessible). Don't miss the gigantic banyan tree to the left of the top lookout, just be careful of all the exposed roots. read more
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967 Waianuenue Ave
Hilo, HI 96720
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Rainbow Falls - parks - Updated August 2026
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