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.

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

Top 23% in WASummer

C+Report Card

SwimmingSummer Destination

Featured in:Boating Camping Washington

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 GoingToCamp Official Website

Get Directions

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 GoingToCamp 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...

No campsite fee categories listed.

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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)

Weather at Rainbow Falls State Park

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)

4.5 / 5

Top 23% in WA

Warmest/driest season; river pools good for swimming and boating; summer weekends popular.

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)

Scenic ViewsRiverside rapids and pools, tall pine and fir canopy, shady forested campsites and an adjacent sunny meadow/day‑use field.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsGoingToCamp (washington.goingtocamp.com)

Total Campsites53 campsites

Best CampsitesCreek and river-adjacent sites deliver the best ambiance, with water sounds masking campground noise. Sites near the restroom buildings save long nighttime walks. The park has limited facilities serving many loops. RV campers rate the powered hookup sites highly. The group camp includes A-frame shelters.

Need help booking Rainbow Falls State Park?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

GoingToCamp Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Park offers developed restrooms and a main shower/restroom building, running spigots and group-site running water, picnic and day‑use facilities, and fire pits. Hosts/rangers provide on‑site services such as firewood delivery and campsite assistance.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Fire rings

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Rainbow Falls State Park

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.

Fishing4.0/5

Swimming4.0/5Top 18% in Washington

Biking4.0/5Top 9% in Washington

Hiking3.5/5

Short river/wooded loops plus connection to the Willapa Hills Trail for longer hikes.

Wildlife viewing3.5/5

Reports of coho salmon, fish fry and occasional river otters; forest fauna present.

Boating3.0/5

River access allows small-craft boating through early-to-mid summer; not a developed marina.

Signature experiences

Photography3.5/5River rapids, pools, forest canopy, meadow and wildlife offer varied photo subjects; falls modest.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete 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.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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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

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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...

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Going To Camp

Provider

Go if

Families after river swimming and a forested base camp will do well here, especially on river-adjacent sites booked early. The Willapa Hills Trail connection suits bikers and hikers who don't need big elevation.

Skip if

Sites far from the single main restroom building mean a long night walk, and summer weekends get loud. Large RVs should know the entrance road is narrow with tight turn-ins that catch rigs off guard.

Nearby Campgrounds

Frequently Visited

4.2

(119)

Lewis and Clark State Park (SW Washington)

Washington State Parks, Washington

Lewis and Clark State Park protects 616 acres of old-growth forest in southwestern Washington, with 41 campsites split between wooded tent areas and an RV loop with electric hookups. The park sits at 518 feet elevation and offers clean restrooms with hot showers (token-operated), hiking and equestrian trails through ancient forest, and seasonal access to fishing and biking.

Rainbow Falls State Park

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

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Campground Map

Weather at Rainbow Falls State Park

Best Time to Camp at Rainbow Falls State Park

Planning Tips

About Rainbow Falls State Park

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Rainbow Falls State Park?

Amenities available

RV details

Things to do at Rainbow Falls State Park

Policies & Safety

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Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Get Notified When Available

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Best Time to Camp at Rainbow Falls State Park

Planning Tips

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Need help booking Rainbow Falls State Park?

Amenities available

Things to do at Rainbow Falls State Park

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns