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    Rainbow Pools

    4.2 (38 reviews)

    Rainbow Pools Photos

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    Rainbow Pools & waterfalls
    Ashley B.

    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.

    Julie L.

    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!

    A cliff you can jump off from
    Joanna D.

    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.

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

    Bottom waterfall
    Ashley H.

    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.

    Betty C.

    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.

    Jump off a waterfall or an even higher rock outcropping
    Tracey A.

    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.

    Daniel P.

    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

    Main pool
    Krista P.

    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!

    Waterfall
    Britt B.

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

    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

    Spring 2017
    Jenn N.

    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.

    Winter at rainbow pool.
    Kathryn Y.

    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.

    Above the falls

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

    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.

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    4 years ago

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

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

    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.

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    6 years ago

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    6 years ago

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

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

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

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    Ask the Community - Rainbow Pools

    Is this a place to safely socially distance? Or are people on top of each other?

    Plenty of space

    Is it open? Can we go now because of the pandemic?

    We were there during all this Covid and social distancing and there is plenty of space

    Está abierto todos los días?

    Si senor

    Are there restrooms?

    Yes there are porta potty's but I bet most people pee in the water lol

    Anybody know if this place is open yet?

    Ya it's open

    View All 7 Questions

    Review Highlights - Rainbow Pools

    I have to say, as a swimming enthusiast, this area of free style swims, and the waterfall is pretty breathtaking.

    Mentioned in 11 reviews

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    Island Waterpark

    Island Waterpark

    3.2(155 reviews)
    69.7 mi

    Went to the Fresno Fright Night at the Island. I was not sure how it would be but I was down for…read morethe ride. We went through the first three mazes fairly quickly the first house we tried was a chemical plant. It was missing some actors in spots that really would have hit. I am a scare actor so I was kinda let down more people didn't jump at working this event or maybe could have had call offs or no shows. Either way the set designs were amazing! My fave being the pizza place with animatronics. I loved the kitchen and the ticket redeem counter sooo good! The sliders were good wish there were more. The other highlight of this event was the bayou boat ride! Yes ride I said that. The creative minds turned the lazy river into a swamp bayou. I loved it so much. The price for the entry was too high. $150.00 for three of us and there wasn't re-entry to mazes. Most haunts are cheaper so you can get more people wanting to come. Knott's scary farm is $60, if you have theme park prices there should be theme park type entertainment with scare actors photo ops with them and more scare zones. It was a nice evening fall time event for myself and my teens. I hope to see more progress next year. You can only get scarier We scare because we care

    I decided with my summer to invest in the platinum season pass this summer. I saw the investment as…read morethe season pass had Free parking, Free entrance to the fireworks shows, and family nights. As well 15 15% off food and cabanas. I would say if you live within 15 minutes of the park, it is worth the investment. We have limited things to do here in Fresno. I think this is great for families and young adults. If you have the money, get a cabana. There are free tables for everyone, but people get there early to claim tables. The crowded table areas will be around the main entrance by the lazy river and the kids' area. The least crowded areas are by the wave pool and the slides. I want to say that it may be due to the lack of shade. But don't be afraid to get the edge of a table or half if there is space and no one is there. Usually it's my boyfriend and I, so we just eat, then swim. We have had one bad interaction where it was a lady and just her son trying to claim a whole table. We were on the edge, eating, and she was trying to lean her tube on the side where we were eating. I pushed it as it hit us. I nicely said she could move it to the poll. But be prepared to share and squeeze where you can. We had a great time overall, but the wait time isn't the greatest with the two most popular rides. I really wish they would add more rides, there is so much potential with the extra land they have. Overall, the staff here have been nice, and the lifeguards are doing great with the life jackets. I am truly shocked by how many parents let their 2 to 6-year-olds swim without it in the wave pool. I know some people get upset, but safety first! Overall, this is a great experience! This is something to do with the family or on your own.

    Photos
    Island Waterpark
    Island Waterpark - The Tsunami: A ride that there imbecile employees will unbalance to your death's desire. My child and his friend ALMOST went over the side!

    The Tsunami: A ride that there imbecile employees will unbalance to your death's desire. My child and his friend ALMOST went over the side!

    Island Waterpark - Ohana family area

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    Ohana family area

    White Rock Community Park

    White Rock Community Park

    3.9(43 reviews)
    91.8 mi

    Came here on a Saturday morning right before opening to make sure we'd guarantee admission. With…read morethe hot weather and a capacity of 90 we didn't want to take any chances of not getting in after a 30 minute drive from across town. I haven't been to this area In years and it looks about the same. Kind of run down as you enter the neighborhood and I probably wouldn't walk these streets alone at night but luckily I'd have no business being here except during a hot summer day at this little water park. We were the second group admitted and it costs $1 for whom ever wants to play. They have 2 slides and riders must meet height requirements. Our 3.5 year old was 42 inches so he got an orange wristband and could only ride the orange slide. The yellow slide had a height requirement of 45 or 46 I believe. Despite the height requirements, our son only went down the orange slide 2-3 times. The park was very crowded with people trying to stay cool. Our son cried when he got water in his face .. guess he won't enjoy water parks much till he realizes water in the face is part of the experience lol!! At one point he said "there's too many people here" and I couldn't have agreed more. There's a small grass area and a couple picnic tables with shade but other than That, not much seating or shade Not sure if we'd return but it was a well kept water park with decent bathrooms

    It's a beautiful and clean park. Someone asked if I was the supervisor (I was here for work and…read morewearing a safety vest at the time) and I said no and he said the guys that cleaned up the park did a great job and that it's much nicer now that the homeless are gone. So it sounds like this park has come a long way. The morning I was here there were a few people walking around the park for exercise. Plenty of parking and it looks like a safe neighborhood.

    Photos
    White Rock Community Park
    White Rock Community Park - Water play area

    Water play area

    White Rock Community Park

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    Rainbow Pools - waterparks - Updated May 2026

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