Rainbow Falls
Hawaii County, Hawaii
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 79 ft (24 m)
- Location
- Hawaii County, Hawaii
- Access status
- State park lookout; fee for non-residents
- The walk
- Short lookout walk; measured distance not published
- Ground & access
- Developed lookout area. Stay behind barriers.

Rainbow Falls (Waianuenue) is an 80-foot falls in Wailuku River State Park, Hilo, known for rainbows in its mist. The Rainbow Falls area is on Rainbow Drive off Waianuenue Avenue. The same entry fee covers the separate Boiling Pots area.
Plan your visit
Wailuku River State Park, Rainbow Falls area on Rainbow Drive
DLNR does not publish a walking distance for the Rainbow Falls lookout.
Developed lookout area. Stay behind barriers.
Where to start
State park lot in the Rainbow Falls area on Rainbow Drive.
Timing & water
DLNR lists Rainbow Falls open daily 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; gates lock at 6:00 p.m.
Before you go
DLNR: non-resident parking $10 per vehicle, entry $5 per non-resident (children 3 and under free); Hawaii residents free with Hawaii ID. Credit card only. Commercial vehicles pay more.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
Peʻepeʻe FallsOfficial state park lookout with fees and hours documentedHawaii County, HI1.6 miW- Kulaniapia FallsPrivate property; paid advance reservation required; exact location match not confirmedHawaii County, HI1.8 miW
- Lower Waiʻale FallsRoadside bridge view documented; exact tier not confirmedHawaii County, HI1.9 miW
- Waiʻale FallsBridge viewpoint with roadside parking; overgrown trail to top; no swimmingHawaii County, HI2.0 miW
- Lelekaae FallsHawaii County, HI2.5 miW
- Wai‘alae FallsHawaii County, HI3.1 miN
- Kauwehu FallsHawaii County, HI3.1 miW
- Wailoa FallsHawaii County, HI3.8 miW
- Poakana FallsHawaii County, HI5.4 miW