Rainbow Falls is the lowermost of the Black River falls in Gogebic County, dropping about 40 feet over a conglomerate slide that ends in a plunge into a deep pit. It is reached by a half-mile trail with stairs and an observation platform along the Black River National Scenic Byway.
At 40 ft, it stands above roughly 33% of the 775 documented falls in this guide.
The falls are fed by Black River. You'll find it in Gogebic, Michigan. It is protected within USFS (Ottawa National Forest, Black River National Scenic Byway).
This is a short hike waterfall: reached by a short trail, generally under about a mile each way. A short walk gets you to the viewpoint, so it works for most casual visitors and families. The walk to the main viewpoint runs about 0.4 miles round trip. Base a visit out of Bessemer, the closest town.
When to go: spring. Expect the strongest flow in spring and after big storms, with a quieter trickle by late summer; confirm current conditions with the land manager before committing to the drive.
