Rainbow Bay

3 reviews

Rainbow Bay

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens booking site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens booking site

Get Directions

Rainbow Bay

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

N/A

Limited Reviews

Based on 3 reviews

Most mentioned

viewswater

"Reviews are very mixed: one user simply notes it as a nice spot for kayaking, while another gives a very negative, detailed account of a group site experience. Concerns center on cleanliness, damaged facilities, extra fees, and poor site management, especially for group events and families with small children."

Read all reviews

Best Time to Camp at Rainbow Bay

Summer transforms Rainbow Bay into a waterfront playground where families spread picnic blankets, swimmers dive into cool waters, and kayakers glide across the lake while anglers cast for their dinner. When snow blankets the landscape, the area becomes a winter wonderland for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling through frosted forests. Spring and fall bring their own magic as waves of migrating geese, ducks, and elegant swans stop to rest on their ancient flyways.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Snow activities available. Some facilities may close. Check conditions.

Planning Tips

About Rainbow Bay

Nestled on the pristine banks of Lake of the Woods, Rainbow Bay welcomes groups to gather where forest meets water. This scenic picnic site serves as your gateway to both waterfront adventures and the rugged wilderness beyond, offering year-round recreation from summer paddles to winter snowshoe treks.

Rainbow Bay is described as a group picnic site on the shores of Lake of the Woods, offering lakeside recreation and access to a nearby resort for lodging.

Historical SignificanceThe towering peaks and alpine lakes of the nearby Sky Lakes Wilderness earned federal protection in 1984 when Congress recognized this landscape as worthy of preservation for future generations. Just beyond lies the legendary Crater Lake National Park, home to the deepest lake in the United States—a stunning geological wonder formed by an ancient volcanic eruption that continues to captivate visitors with its impossibly blue waters.

Weather and SeasonsSummer transforms Rainbow Bay into a waterfront playground where families spread picnic blankets, swimmers dive into cool waters, and kayakers glide across the lake while anglers cast for their dinner. When snow blankets the landscape, the area becomes a winter wonderland for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling through frosted forests. Spring and fall bring their own magic as waves of migrating geese, ducks, and elegant swans stop to rest on their ancient flyways.

ElevationThe nearby Sky Lakes Wilderness rises dramatically from 3,800 feet at its lower reaches to the commanding summit of Mount McLoughlin at 9,495 feet, creating a diverse landscape where ecosystems shift with every thousand feet of elevation gain.

Natural Features and SceneryRainbow Bay sits at the meeting point of Lake of the Woods' sparkling waters and the towering conifers of Fremont National Forest, where a generous sandy beach invites barefoot exploration. Just beyond the lakeshore, the Sky Lakes Wilderness unfolds in a breathtaking tapestry of alpine lakes cradled between rocky ridges and timbered slopes. This rich habitat supports an impressive cast of wildlife—mule deer browse the forest edges, Rocky Mountain elk bugle in autumn meadows, and pronghorn antelope race across open country, while the waters teem with trout species. Patient observers might spot migrating waterfowl, catch a glimpse of black bears foraging for berries, or spy the elusive tracks of mountain lions and bobcats.

Geological RegionFremont National Forest; near the Sky Lakes Wilderness

Campsite details

Total Campsitesnull campsites

Recommended CampsitesSite is well suited for group picnics, beach activities, boating and shoreline or boat fishing for trout, Kokanee salmon, bass and perch.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Groups

Designated as a group picnic site with picnic tables, grills, a large beach and a nearby boat ramp on Lake of the Woods.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutSite includes several picnic tables, extended barbeque grills, drinking water and flush toilets; beach and boat ramp adjacent to the site.

Accomodation available

GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.

Amenities available

Potable water

Picnic tables

Lodging and accommodations

Flush toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Rainbow Bay provides lakeshore recreation including picnicking, swimming, boating and fishing in summer, plus winter activities such as skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Trails into conifer forests offer hiking opportunities and wildlife viewing is common.

Hiking

Visitors enjoy hiking on trails leading into towering conifer forests adjacent to the site.

Fishing

Anglers fish from shoreline or boat for rainbow and brown trout, Kokanee salmon, bass and perch.

Swimming

Swimming is available at the large nearby beach and family-friendly shoreline areas.

Boating

There is a boat ramp area; visitors can boat, paddle canoes and kayak along the shore.

Wildlife viewing

Wildlife viewing is plentiful; species mentioned include mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, pronghorn antelope, migrating geese, ducks, swans, black bears, mountain lions and bobcats.

Beach activities

A large beach area supports picnicking, playing on the beach and other shoreline recreation.

Winter Activities

Skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling

Water Sports

Paddling, kayaking and canoeing

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsWildlife hazards include black bears, mountain lions and bobcats; presence of large mammals such as mule deer and elk is also noted.

Weather at Rainbow Bay

°F

Dec 11

Thursday

Clear sky

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 44%

Wind: 7.2 mph

Clear sky

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Proximity to water featuresSits on the banks of Lake of the Woods; boat ramp and large beach area are nearby.

Campground Map

Rainbow Bay

Driving directionsFrom Klamath Falls travel 33 miles northwest on Highway 140. Turn south on Forest Road 3701 and continue .6 miles to the campground.

Accessible via Highway 140 and Forest Road 3701.

Nearby places

Klamath Falls - 33 miles

Nearby supplies

A nearby resort offers basic amenities, lodging and dining.

Reviews from booking and map sources

0.0

3 reviews

Limited Reviews

Rainbow Bay has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews are very mixed: one user simply notes it as a nice spot for kayaking, while another gives a very negative, detailed account of a group site experience. Concerns center on cleanliness, damaged facilities, extra fees, and poor site management, especially for group events and families with small children.

Review Summaries

Based on 3 reviews

What Campers Love

One reviewer notes Rainbow Bay as a “Nice kayak spot,” suggesting the area is appealing for paddling and likely has pleasant water access or views for that activity.

Based on 3 reviews

Common Concerns

The detailed 1-star review reports multiple issues: being charged an additional $10 parking fee on top of a $108 group site reservation, broken glass near tables, unusable or trash-filled/damaged...

Based on 3 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

If reserving a group site, be prepared for an additional parking fee and potentially needing to follow up with staff to have the site unlocked. Families with small children should be cautious and...

Based on 3 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Nice kayak spot" "I reserved a group site and still had to pay $10 for parking on top of the $108 for the site." "There was broken glass by the tables on the right side. None of the grills were...

Based on 3 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

The Rec.gov review specifically mentions Group Site GS1 in the Rainbow Bay area. The reviewer reports broken glass by the tables on the right side of the site, grills that were either damaged or...

Based on 3 reviews

Accessibility Features

One reviewer notes that “There is no easy access to the lake,” which suggests that reaching the water from the group area may be difficult or inconvenient, especially for those with mobility...

Based on 3 reviews