Updated July 2026
Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls is a short, steep boardwalk hike on Wrangell Island that climbs through hemlock-spruce rainforest to two observation platforms above the falls on Rainbow Creek. The trailhead lies about 4.5 miles south of Wrangell off the Zimovia Highway.
Before you go
Waterfalls are hazardous by nature — wet rock, cold water, and unstable edges — and flow varies enormously with season and recent rain. Trail figures here describe the route as documented, not conditions today. Check Tongass National Forest (USFS) for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
Frequently Asked Questions
No measured height is on record for Rainbow Falls in the land-manager and survey sources this inventory draws on. We list it without a height rather than estimating one.
The Rainbow Falls Trail reaches it about 1.5 miles (out-and-back) with roughly 534 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate. The nearest town is Wrangell. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with Tongass National Forest (USFS) for closures and current conditions.
Late spring to fall (May-Sep). Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.
More Alaska waterfalls
- Barbara Falls · 25 ft
- Beaver Falls · 40 ft
- Bridal Veil Falls · 600 ft
- Brooks Falls · 6 ft
- Ebner Falls
- Falls Creek Falls
- Horsetail Falls · 328 ft
- Indian River Falls · 70 ft
Sources
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