Rainbow Falls

Lewis County, New York

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: 98 ft (30 m)
Location: Lewis County, New York
Access status: Rim trail to a marked, distant viewing point
The walk: About 0.55 miles one way
Ground & access: Dirt trail along the rim of a deep gulf. Stay back from the edge.

Northern New York Waterfalls: Rainbow Falls (Gulf Stream)

Rainbow Falls is a tall ribbon cascade on the Gulf Stream in the Tug Hill region of Lewis County. From US 11 and NY 177 in Adams Center, drive east on NY 177 for about ten miles and turn left onto the dirt Old State Road (locally called Williams Truck Road). In less than a mile, park in the area on the right, just beyond a pond; if you reach the Jefferson County line you have gone too far. Walk a quarter mile to a junction, turn right, and continue about 0.3 miles along the rim of the gulf to a marked viewing point. The view is distant, and leaves block much of it in summer.

Plan your visit

Old State Road (Williams Truck Road) off NY 177 east of Adams Center, trail along the rim of the gulf to the marked Rainbow Falls viewing point

Northern New York Waterfalls lists 0.55 miles: a quarter mile from the trailhead to a junction, then 0.3 miles to the viewing point.

Dirt trail along the rim of a deep gulf. Stay back from the edge.

Where to start

Unpaved parking area on the right side of Old State Road, less than a mile from NY 177, just beyond a pond.

Timing & water

Leaves block the view in summer; the view is clearer in late fall and early spring. Tug Hill gets very heavy snow in winter.

Before you go

No fee or reservation is stated by the sources.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore New York

Waterfall location

Lewis County, New York.

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