One of my friends introduced the idea of visiting Rainbow Pools during 2020 in the heat of summer. I have to say, as a swimming enthusiast, this area of free style swims, and the waterfall is pretty breathtaking. It was so refreshing, and you can dive, and there's plenty of room to spread out even when it's crowded. Really, my only hesitancy about visiting here is that it's pretty rugged on any vehicle used to drive here. Twists, turns, tight stretches of road. I had just had my brakes replaced literally before this trip and am thankful for that. I would almost want to rent a car to avoid putting wear and tear on my personal vehicles. BUT, this is a must visit and should be bookmarked! read more

Rainbow Pools - Water Parks Near Me - Groveland, California

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I am disabled stopped at the gate said I wanted to drive through and look at the place if it was able to stop and take a picture from the window of my car the lady at the gate said yes, but I must continue to drive through. I could not stop and get out of my vehicle as I am disabled she said sorry no can do. I went to the end of the parking lot I stopped was taking a picture through my window, and a elderly gentleman walked up to me who obviously works there told me if I didn't get off the property. He was going to call the sheriff and had me physically removed. I said I was driving through and stopped to take a photo. He said that was illegal and he was gonna write me up with the ticket. He wrote down my license plate number and told me he was banning me from ever coming back to this place very disrespectful and rude. read more

We had so much fun here very close to our campsite and drop in payment per car. People jumped from the top where around the parking site. It's perfect for cooling off in this heat wave. read more

Rainbow Pools - Rainbow pool - Water Parks Near Me - Groveland, California

I went a few times as a kid and then went recently as an adult, and it still was just as fun. Keep in mind a few things though: 1. You need to bring $10 cash in order to pay the parking fee, and 2. the water is FREEZING!! This river is very close to the mountains so the water is still very very cold. There are a few places in the basin to jump in, ranging from 5-20 feet. I also went fishing up the river and caught a couple of rainbow trout. They aren't exactly big enough to make a good meal, but you can catch and release them if you like to fish for fun. Also please for gods sake don't litter or throw bottles in the river. As a kid, i cut my foot open in the river on a beer bottle and needed stitched, which is also why i recommend wearing water shoes. read more

Rainbow Pools - Rainbow trout - Water Parks Near Me - Groveland, California

It was absolutely beautiful clean and not crowded on a weekday plus it's on the way to Yosemite. I swam quite a bit and there is current as you swim towards the falls . I was considerate enough to pay the daily fee and most people ignored it! read more

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The rainbow pools are a beautiful and relaxing stop on the way to Yosemite! It was a gem! Highly recommend stopping for an hour or two on your trek! Parking can be very busy and tight. We went around 4 pm and it was perfect. read more

Rainbow Pools - Rainbow Pools & waterfalls - Water Parks Near Me - Groveland, California

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Beautiful spot but VERY DANGEROUS. Rock jump at your own risk. The waterfall itself can get very slippery on the jump off and can hit your head on the way down rendering someone unconscious under the heavy falls. At least one person per summer dies here. read more

You can jump off the cliff in the top right of the photo. If you don't know how to swim, DO NOT go up. The currents can be strong & unsafe. There was a guy who swam across & drifted to the left & got stuck for a bit but he was able to come back. Other than that, the water is cold but it is refreshing on a warm day. read more

Rainbow Pools - A cliff you can jump off from - Water Parks Near Me - Groveland, California

Very nice just need to take cash for the parking and get their early to get a good spot read more

Rainbow Pools - Water Parks Near Me - Groveland, California

I researched this place prior to coming in the area. It looked so cool. It was and it wasn't. Spent the afternoon here recently. It is located off of highway 120, 20 minutes outside of Groveland, CA. The turnoff is located by a bridge with a day use sign. It would be easy to pass if not looking for it. The day use fee is $10. There is limited parking maybe a max of 15 cars for the whole thing. There is the main parking at the bottom of the hill but there are several spots on the way out. It is one way in and one way out. There is a bathroom on site. You are no more than 50 yards from the water from the main parking spots. The walk way is pretty non-existent when you get close. Be ready to rock hop. The main area next to the water was well shaded. The water is chilly to get in but once in, it was fine. The waterfall was flowing well when I was here and it set up a decent current. You will need to be a good swimmer or have flotation. The pool is pretty deep. It dropped off significantly about 10 feet from "shore". Definitely deep enough to jump from the rocks but check for yourself before doing that. Overall, a pretty cool place but use with caution regarding the current, depth, and your strength as a swimmer. read more

This is a must see. It seems extremely busy during the day time so we waited until dinner time and everyone was gone and there was plenty of parking. It was still completely warm enough to swim. Evening time also seemed to be the time the locals were there so that makes me think that's the best time to go. People were also fishing in the evening, but that made it more difficult to swim. read more

Rainbow Pools - Bottom waterfall - Water Parks Near Me - Groveland, California

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Absolutely amazing and breathtaking place. Settled remotely in the Yosemite lakes area, this place is sure to regenerate your soul. Pro tip--arrive early. It gets busy near noon and then parking is very limited. I will come back and jump off the 40ft cliff again. I highly recommend. read more

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It's been said, quite accurately, that I have about a 5 degree range of comfort. Set the dial at 74 degrees and I'm okay if it goes 5 degrees in either direction but more than that and you're apt to hear some bitching. Said bitching began on the hottest day of 2018, when I arrived at my lodging to find the pool closed. I got into my hotel room, grumbling audibly at my fate and then sat for a few minutes, thumbing through the book of hotel amenities as it were. Rainbow Pools was less than 2 miles away and it took me about 30 seconds to announce that's where I was headed. Wednesday is likely the quietest day of the week in these parts and it was past 4 p.m. when I got to Rainbow Pools. A sign on the highway made it simple to find and though there's not a lot of parking I found a spot easily. Two sets of stairs - each ending in rocks - lead you down to nature's pool. Follow the one on the right and you'll first encounter the sandy area with a swimming hole beside it. This part sits right atop the waterfall. Make your way down further (or come in from the left, a bit easier and more direct), scaling the rocks, and you'll have access to the lower hole. Either way, these swimming holes will be perfect. The water was less chilly than it is in Yosemite Valley and on a day when temperatures were over 90 degrees it felt perfect. A high outcropping of rocks is difficult to get up to but a perfect place for daredevils to jump from. The more conservative will choose to leap in above the waterfall itself. Me? I was happy to just swim around, neck deep in nature's bath. Located about 10 miles outside the Route 120 entrance to Yosemite, Rainbow Pools is a good place to cool off on a hot day. read more

Rainbow Pools - Jump off a waterfall or an even higher rock outcropping - Water Parks Near Me - Groveland, California

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Must GO!! We went 2 times out of the 5 days we were up there and this place is sooooo fun. I watched dudes do all kinds of neat dives from the cliffs and I even got to see a guy do a back flop from about 25-30 feet HILARIOUS!!! Be safe out there but most of all have fun read more

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This spot was our savior while staying up the road at one of the campgrounds. It was soooo hot, 106 degrees and we had no shade! We were able to come just two miles down the road and cool off. The falls were beautiful, but the place was packed. Go early or later in the day. If the main area is packed you can also walk a little ways up or down stream on the paths and find some secluded areas. We also saw many people cliff jumping. Enjoy this spot, but keep the area clean and pack out your trash! read more

Rainbow Pools - Main pool - Water Parks Near Me - Groveland, California

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Beautiful yet incredibly dangerous spot...a woman was swept away and drowned during our visit. Do not attempt to swim in the stream, especially during spring when the snowmelt creates a roaring current! I am so very sorry for the young family that lost their mother in this senseless tragedy. read more

Exit is right off the highway once you pass the bridge. Gorgeous views of the waterfall and the location is not too hard to find. Parking is limited so we got hear very early around 9am wasn't anyone there besides a fisherman who caught some few nice trouts at the end of the falls. Water was extremely cold like ice during these times. Although, my friends and I had an amazing time here. Some new memories to share. read more

Beautiful place no phone service though so be prepared on that end we had an awesome time here. Fun jumping off the cliff read more

Rainbow Pools - Waterfall - Water Parks Near Me - Groveland, California

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Nice swimming hole with limited parking. water is cold and pool is deep. not safe for young children. I would've preferred it if people didn't jump off the rocks. Jumping rock is nicknamed Suicide rock, cuz people get injured there and occasionally die. there is no cell phone reception there too, so stay safe there read more

Rainbow Pools - Water Parks Near Me - Groveland, California

You have probably seen the sign on your way into Yosemite, but what exactly is rainbow pools? It's a gorgeous little slice of paradise, any time of year. In the winter, they close the road but you can park a short hike away, off of the highway and hike down. Just be very careful, as the water flow is very dangerous in the winter and is not safe for swimming. However, this is the time of year that you will see why they are named rainbow pools. In the summer this place can be packed with hoards of families and friends seeking relief from the heat. There is NO garbage service here. Please, please pack out everything that you bring in. I always grab a stray piece of trash that someone else left behind. This is our land folks, let's keep it beautiful. There are basic rest rooms. No alcohol and Rangers do patrol the area. As long as you are there being responsible, they are very friendly. Take the short hike under the bridge and down to where the river forks meet. It is jaw dropping beautiful in years with decent rainfall. read more

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The reason for the four stars is not because this spot isn't beautiful. It is, but it is has a very tiny parking lot and a small area that can and does become crowded on a hot summer day. On this visit though we, being my sister and me, parked up above and walked down. The parking lot was closed so we parked across the street and walked down and under the bridge. A very cool way to go! It was a cold day and we had to be careful as part of the road was shady and clearly icey. Probably why the normal parking access was closed. But there was no one down there! It was quiet and peaceful. The waterfall area is very small. In the summer it can become quite crowded, not really my cup of tea, but a beautiful spot. I have seen a person jump off the waterfall and it looks really scary, but if that is how you roll, then good for you! It is a spot that serves as a good pit stop on your way to the park. Be safe pulling off into it as the road down is steep and narrow. It is a one way road down and out. I look forward to going back in the warmer weather. Happy Yelping. read more

Rainbow Pools - Winter at rainbow pool. - Water Parks Near Me - Groveland, California

Very nice area, we saw people diving off boulders but not being careful. Also Please pick up your and your dog's trash, keep it beautiful! Be aware there are small gopher snakes in the water cooling off too, please respect their use of the falls too. Otherwise a lovely place full of people and limited parking. read more

This is a beautiful swimming place!!' You can jump off the waterfall but be careful everyone doing it makes it seem easy but it is not as easy as it looks don't be fooled use the higher jump it is better the top of the falls are slippery! I slipped when I jumped I got bruises all over my back end and legs. When I butt flopped after jumping and slipping. Next time I'm going off the higher jump! I hope it doesn't take me all day to build up the courage to jump again lol! The place was great after I picked up all the garbage two big bags full people are pigs there is garbage cans in the parking lot people jeez!! read more

Rainbow Pools - Above the falls - Water Parks Near Me - Groveland, California

SPECTACULAR! no alcohol allowed thou. Get there early af if you want a decent spot. Lots of foreign visitors and sexy and nice people. read more

I have gone to Rainbow Pools since high school days. It is beautiful and amazing place to swim. Go after snow melts waterfall is rushing.

Beautiful place, fun and relaxing. We went there mid-morning. Perfect timing if you want to be by yourself.

As noted by one previous reviewer, rainbow pools is quite crowded these days. Ironic that the crowdedness was grounds for lowering her review considering that attention to said spot is caused by internet ..such as reviewing it...see the irony? Anywho, rainbow sucks these days. It's filled with teenagers and city folk who flat out have no respect for nature. It's constantly being littered. If you go CLEAN UP after yourselves.. it's disrespectful to the locals and MORE IMPORTANTLY, dangerous for wild life. This is the sort of behavior that provokes locals to start fights...and no one wants that. People think you can slide down the waterfall, but you can't. Water levels are constantly changing and unless you know the swimming hole at all water levels, you cannot know when it is and is not safe to slide down. Which brings me to my next point, ALMOST EVERY YEAR SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED AND/OR DIES AT RAINBOW. There is a procedure for rock jumping and when the place is over crowded with drunk 20 somethings and small children swimming playing below, in conjunction with dangerously fast water flows; someone is bound to get hurt. In sum, Pinecrest is always clean and family friendly;) **update: notice someone else just uploaded a pic of a rescue at rainbow pools 6 days ago...CASE n POINT! read more

be aware!!! take it from my tragedy please! i was sucked over the falls from a strong undercurrent, fell over the falls and landed 25 feet directly onto a boulder, i suffered a major spinal fractures in 4 spots, deangulated my tailbone and cracked my sternum! luckily i wasn't paralyzed but it was close according to the spinal doctor! i am out of work for a year and it ended my wonderful vacation not to mention the expensive medicalbills! please just use extreme caution! read more

Rainbow Pools - Lucky to not be paralyzed - Water Parks Near Me - Groveland, California

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This was a really fun experience. I went with a group of about 8 people and had a really good time. We got here around 9 and got a good parking. I recommend coming early to get a closer parking. read more

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This is a beautiful spot but I am so dismayed by all the litter EVERYWHERE! So sad that people would do that to such a beautiful place. I guess I'm used to places where people really do pack it in and pack it out. Every kind of litter you could imagine was there and it was just everywhere. So sad. I won't go there again and I felt badly that I didn't have a ton of garbage bags to clean some of it up but I didn't. read more

Easy to find & easy parking, maps says the exact location/directions. "Pool area" is at the top of the waterfalls, peaceful to take a dip & relax after the yosemite hikes** read more

Rainbow Pools - Water Parks Near Me - Groveland, California

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This place was worth the 2.5 hour drive I did with my friends. The weather was perfect it was about 90 degrees out and the water was super cold and refreshing! There's about 2-3 cliffs that you can jump of off, each one with a different height. There is also a natural water slide you can go down. I'm giving it four instead of five stars because it was very crowded when I went and would have been nicer if there were less people. I'll definitely be going back here! read more

Rainbow Pools - The bridge you drive over when you enter - Water Parks Near Me - Groveland, California

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At first it look like a little pond till I got to the bridge it's a good place to go to especially for kids but the rocks are slippery but other then that going up the river is beautiful and fun read more

Love this place, dive in the water and swim to the waterfall. So exciting! I went there a couple times and I got excited every time.

Very beautiful spot. I was able to enjoy it for all of 30 mins before I was sucked in by the by waterfall. Which did cause me to burst fractured two vertebrae in my lower back, but I really loved this spot. I wish I could've enjoyed it more. I'm here making this review to warn others who plan to visit to be extremely careful. I visited on July 15th with some family and we were exploring the upper portion and when we got too close to the falls it was too late, my boyfriend and I both lost grip which led to us being plunged down the falls. I'm currently on bed rest trying to recover. Thankfully in the crowd of people there was an EMT who thankfully helped my boyfriend lift me out of the water and who had the others in the crowd call for help. It took about 40 mins before help arrived and I had to be airlifted to the nearest trauma center in Modesto. All in all this trip is worth making if you're extremely careful and possibly find somewhere to hangout on the lower half of the area. Very beautiful spot but it does have a dangerous and rocky (no pun intended lol) reputation. Had I of known that I would've maybe stayed away from the waterfall. read more

This place was awesome. Jumping off the rocks was a thrill!! The water was freezing but it was still worth it

Lost my Gopro camera Hero 3 at Rainbow Pools today July 4th 2017. My pole broke & my camera sank under water. If anyone finds it please email me at BrandonWilcox90@yahoo.com thank you! read more

Very very fun! Be careful with little kids. Parking was difficult on a Saturday but well worth it. We had a great time

I am not posting a review so much as a comment after I read the reviews posted to comment Re: Trash onsite at the pools. As a teenager MANY years ago (1970's) I used to frequent Rainbow Pools near La Grange. Was telling my son of a great place to experience swimming in a beautiful mountain river. What a shock when I find out it is super crowed with irresponsible people that are too lazy and self-absorbed to pick up after themselves. Booyah! to anyone with the moxy to even take a few pieces of trash along with their own as they leave the place after a "free" outing. Why in the world are those litter bugs even tolerated by the one's toteing out their trash. I hope anyone who reads this comment acts responsibly EVERYWHERE they go and PICK UP YOUR TRASH! Scorn the one's who don't. Take a few extra pieces of trash out with you. Don't stare at it like a DUMB CARP and say AWE look how trashy it is. If it's crowded and everyone in those "crowds" takes extra trash out...GUESS WHAT! IT GETS CLEANED-UP! I can not go there. so I send out a challenge for someone to begin....post signs.....pay back nature for your fun time and bring extra garbage bags spend 30 minutes picking up the trash you see...... read more