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.
Rainbow Falls sits on Rainbow Creek. It lies in Wrangell, Alaska. The site is on public land managed by Tongass National Forest (USFS).
This is a moderate hike waterfall: a longer day hike, roughly one to several miles each way. Reaching it takes a moderate walk, so budget time and pack water before you set out. The walk to the main viewpoint runs about 1.5 miles round trip. The nearest town is Wrangell.
When to go: Late spring to fall (May-Sep). Flow usually peaks after snowmelt and heavy rain and tapers through late summer — a quick look at recent streamflow and the managing agency's conditions page can save a wasted trip.
