Rainbow Falls
Montana • 47 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Drive Up
Trail Length
0.1 miles
About Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls plunges over a sheer ledge of Kootenai Formation sandstone on the Missouri River in Great Falls, Montana, and is one of the five Great Falls of the Missouri that Lewis and Clark famously documented. The curtain of water stands about 47 feet (14 m) high and stretches roughly 1,320 feet (402 m) across, producing broad, photogenic flows that change with the season. You can spot Rainbow Falls just upstream from Crooked Falls and downstream from Colter Falls and Rainbow Dam, giving visitors a dramatic stretch of river and geology to explore.
The Setting
Rainbow Falls sits at 3,205 feet in the mountains of Montana. The falls drop 47 feet.
Height: 47 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Big Falls (87 ft) lies 4.6 miles to the northeast. Also nearby: Crooked Falls (19 ft, 0.5 mi).
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
No hiking required. Rainbow Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.
Trail Description
Rainbow Falls is viewed from the Rainbow Dam Overlook, a paved parking area beside the River's Edge Trail on Rainbow Dam Road. The overlook is a short walk from the car; the paved River's Edge Trail also passes it, linking to Giant Springs State Park about a mile upstream.
What to Expect
The falls drop 47 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Rainbow Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Rainbow Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
The best time to visit Rainbow Falls is during the spring and early summer when water flow is at its peak due to snowmelt. Fall also offers beautiful foliage, while summer provides warm weather for outdoor activities.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Stay on designated trails and viewing platforms to avoid slippery rocks and strong river currents. Be cautious near the water, especially with children and pets.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Missouri River, 7.6 miles away, not on Rainbow Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
3,960 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 70 years of record
2.95 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge Missouri River near Great Falls MT (12 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
3960 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
3860 cfs
5/10Thu
Barely Flowing
3882 cfs
5/10Fri
Barely Flowing
3903 cfs
5/10Sat
Barely Flowing
4053 cfs
5/10Sun
Barely Flowing
3846 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
3932 cfs
5/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, mostly sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid April to mid July, peaking in June.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Malmstrom AFB hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Rainbow Falls Frozen?
Updated about 7 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately big river, rarely freezes solid
Rainbow Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 59°F to 42°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 3930 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Montana.
Weather Forecast
Location & Access
Getting There
From Great Falls, follow River Drive to Giant Springs Road, pass Giant Springs State Park, and continue onto Rainbow Dam Road to the Rainbow Dam Overlook parking area. You can also walk or bike to it on the River's Edge Trail.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Paved parking at the Rainbow Dam Overlook on Rainbow Dam Road; other River's Edge Trail trailheads and Giant Springs State Park also have parking.
Elevation
3,205 feet above sea level
Coordinates
47.533189° N, -111.205671° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Arrive early during peak seasons to secure parking and enjoy the falls with fewer crowds. Bring water and sunscreen, especially during the summer months, as the trail has limited shade.
Where to Stay
Wingate by Wyndham Great Falls
The Gibson Hotel Great Falls, an Ascend Collection Hotel
Hotel Arvon
Comfort Inn Great Falls South
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
Giant Springs State Park, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Black Eagle Falls, and the River's Edge Trail.
Wildlife
Visitors may spot a variety of birds, including eagles and herons, as well as deer and other small mammals in the area.
Cities near Rainbow Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Other waterfalls named Rainbow Falls
31 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
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