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Rainbow Falls, Hilo – 2021-10-10 12 55 32 View west-northwest toward Rainbow (Waiānuenue) Falls within Wailuku River State Park in Hilo, Hawaii County, Hawaii📷 Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0

Rainbow Falls, Hilo

Hilo, HI

Nature

An 80-foot waterfall on the Wailuku River in Hilo, falling over a lava cave. Come on a sunny morning to see a rainbow in the spray; the lookout is steps from the free car park.

Nearest town
Hilo, HI
Category
Nature & parks
GPS
19.7192, -155.1080

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually December–February. Still fine, with some compromises, in March–June and September–November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Featured in these trip guides

Kohala and the Hāmākua Coast: Kona to Hilo the northern way – Looking Towards Stone Leaning Post, Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, Hawaii (4527363439)© Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
19
Coast & island drives

Kohala and the Hāmākua Coast: Kona to Hilo the northern way

118 mi7 stops3 days

Nearby

2021-10-10 11 39 40 Trail and bridge leading towards ʻAkaka Falls within ʻAkaka Falls State Park in Hawaii County, Hawaii© Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Editor's pick
Nature

ʻAkaka Falls State Park

Honomū, HI
East Rift Zone, Kīlauea Caldera, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii (4529329260)© Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
Editor's pick
Nature

Kīlauea caldera

Volcano, HI
2021-10-10 15 02 29 Information display for the Muliwai Trail at the Waipiʻo Valley Lookout in Kukuihaele, Hawaii County, Hawaii© Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Views

Waipiʻo Valley Lookout

Honokaʻa, HI
2021-10-09 16 36 53 A green sea turtle on Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach in Punaluʻu, Hawaii County, Hawaii© Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Nature

Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach

Nāʻālehu, HI

Campsites nearby

  • Trailer ParkingMotorhome stopover
    4 mi from Rainbow Falls, Hilo
    Motorhomes
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Waiakea Camp SiteCampsite
    19 mi from Rainbow Falls, Hilo
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Namakani PaioCampsite
    24 mi from Rainbow Falls, Hilo
    OSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Hawaii · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Rainbow Falls, Hilo?

Rainbow Falls, Hilo is in Hilo, HI, at GPS 19.7192, -155.1080. It is about 21 mi from Volcano.

Can you camp near Rainbow Falls, Hilo?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Trailer Parking, about 4 mi away; within 25 mi there are 3 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Rainbow Falls, Hilo?

Rainbow Falls, Hilo is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Kohala and the Hāmākua Coast: Kona to Hilo the northern way.

What is there to see near Rainbow Falls, Hilo?

Places worth a stop nearby: ʻAkaka Falls State Park (10 mi), Kīlauea caldera (24 mi), Waipiʻo Valley Lookout (41 mi) and Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach (48 mi).

When is the best time to visit Rainbow Falls, Hilo?

The most pleasant months are usually December–February. Still fine, with some compromises, in March–June and September–November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)