Is Rainbow Falls State Park first-come first-served or reservation?

Rainbow Falls State Park accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Rainbow Falls State Park before I book?

Yes! Rainbow Falls State Park has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Rainbow Falls State Park?

Yes, Rainbow Falls State Park has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Is there cell service at Rainbow Falls State Park?

Cell phone service at Rainbow Falls State Park is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Rainbow Falls State Park have?

Rainbow Falls State Park has 53 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Rainbow Falls State Park?

Yes, pets are allowed at Rainbow Falls State Park. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Rainbow Falls State Park?

Rainbow Falls State Park offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Rainbow Falls State Park?

Popular activities at Rainbow Falls State Park include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Rainbow Falls State Park

4.12

191 reviews

SwimmingSummer Destination

Featured in:Boating Camping Washington

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

289 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

53 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on Washington State Parks Set up a cancellation alert Official Website

Get Directions

Rainbow Falls State Park is a popular campground. Set up a free alert to catch cancellations.

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

289 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

53 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on Washington State Parks Set up a cancellation alert Official Website

Get Directions

Rainbow Falls State Park

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Day-use fee reported as $10 (or covered by a Washington State Discover Pass, often noted as a $30 pass). Showers are token-operated (bring small...

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

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What Campers Say

4.12

Satisfactory

Based on 191 reviews

515 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietcleanshowersrestrooms

Some mention

small

"Reviewers praise Rainbow Falls for its peaceful, shaded forest setting along the Chehalis River, family‑friendly amenities, clean restrooms and easy access to swimming holes and the Willapa Hills Trail. Common downsides noted are that the waterfall is modest (more a cascade/rapids), some crowding/noise and limited restroom locations during peak season."

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Campground Map

Rainbow Falls State Park

46.6344, -123.2343

Nearby places

Pe Ell (~5 miles west)

Chehalis (local supply town

distance not specified)

Nearby supplies

Local small towns such as Pe Ell and Chehalis (used by campers for supplies

distances not specified)

Best Time to Camp at Rainbow Falls State Park

Summer brings the warmest, driest conditions, with daytime highs in the mid-60s to upper-70s°F. River levels stay high enough for swimming and boating through early to mid-summer, though pools shallow and the falls weaken by August. Summer weekends get busy and noisy. Spring and fall offer solitude and higher waterfall flows, but cooler temperatures and wetter weather limit river activities. Hookups and services run year-round.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Warmest, driest season; river levels support swimming/boating and summer weekends are busiest.

Planning Tips

About Rainbow Falls State Park

Rainbow Falls State Park sits along the Chehalis River in the forested Willapa Hills, offering 53 sites with electric and water hookups, showers, and river access. The campground draws families for its swimming holes, proximity to the Willapa Hills Trail, and shaded forest setting. Summer weekends fill early, so reserve ahead.

Developed state park campground with a mix of site types including RV sites with hookups, tent sites, equestrian/horse camping and a group camp with A‑frame shelters.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the warmest, driest conditions, with daytime highs in the mid-60s to upper-70s°F. River levels stay high enough for swimming and boating through early to mid-summer, though pools shallow and the falls weaken by August. Summer weekends get busy and noisy. Spring and fall offer solitude and higher waterfall flows, but cooler temperatures and wetter weather limit river activities. Hookups and services run year-round.

Natural Features and SceneryThe Chehalis River flows over rugged basalt outcrops, forming small rapids and clear pools popular for swimming and wading. Second-growth evergreens mix with scattered old-growth firs, and sword ferns blanket the forest floor. The namesake falls are modest. More a cascade than a drop. And shrink to a trickle by late summer. A large sunny meadow anchors the day-use area. At 289 feet elevation, the terrain is gentle riparian lowland typical of western Washington's river corridors.

Geological RegionChehalis River corridor over rugged basalt rock (western Washington riparian/Willapa Hills area)

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Amenities available

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Fire rings

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Rainbow Falls State Park centers on river access and a shaded forested campground with trails and multi‑use connections to the Willapa Hills Trail. Popular activities include swimming and river play, short hikes to viewpoints, biking along the rail‑trail, and fishing in the Chehalis River.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRiver edges and rock approaches can be slippery/treacherous; waterfall area can be hazardous when accessing the river. Some reviewers advise not to drink park tap water (reported odor). Entrance road and site turn‑ins are narrow and can be difficult for large RVs.

Weather at Rainbow Falls State Park

Trip Planning Tools

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Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.1

191 reviews

Satisfactory

Rainbow Falls State Park is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers praise Rainbow Falls for its peaceful, shaded forest setting along the Chehalis River, family‑friendly amenities, clean restrooms and easy access to swimming holes and the Willapa Hills Trail. Common downsides noted are that the waterfall is modest (more a cascade/rapids), some crowding/noise and limited restroom locations during peak season.

Review Summaries

Based on 191 reviews

What Campers Love

Quiet, tall‑tree forested campsites; Chehalis River access with swimming holes and fishing; clean, historic restrooms and token showers; proximity to the Willapa Hills Trail; a large sunny day‑use...

Based on 191 reviews

Common Concerns

The most frequent complaint in reviews is the **restroom situation**: campers state there is effectively only one main restroom/shower building for 40+ sites, making for a very long walk from many...

Based on 191 reviews