Rainbow Pool is a 15-foot plunge waterfall on the South Fork Tuolumne River in Tuolumne County, California, a Stanislaus National Forest day-use site just off Highway 120 between Groveland and Yosemite National Park. The small fall pours into a sculpted basin used by swimmers, anglers and cliff jumpers.
The falls
A field survey records a single vertical 15-foot drop into a punchbowl pool. The river is usually about 10 feet wide at the lip and spreads to about 25 feet across the ledge in high water; at moderate flow a second strand appears beside the main one. Flow reaches roughly 25 cubic feet per second at its peak and 5 in the low season, and the fall runs all year.
Getting there
From Groveland, drive Highway 120 (Big Oak Flat Road) east about 13 miles to the bridge over the South Fork Tuolumne River and turn right just before the bridge at the Rainbow Pool sign. A one-way road leads about 800 feet down to the parking area, which has vault toilets. From there it is a walk of under two minutes, down stairs, to the pool. Parking is limited. Visitors report a $10 per-vehicle day-use fee in peak summer, also good at Carlon Falls. The site is managed by the Groveland Ranger District of Stanislaus National Forest. The access road can be closed in winter, leaving walk-in access only.
When to go
March through July is the recommended season, when the river carries the most water. Summer brings swimming crowds: a July 2025 visitor found the pool quiet in the morning and busy and hectic later in the day.
On site
The pool is large and the water is cold. Visitors jump from the rocks around it, and a Forest Service order cites steep, rocky terrain, drownings and medical evacuations here; jumpers should check the depth of the landing first. Alcohol is banned at Rainbow Pool from February 27, 2025, through December 31, 2026. Visitors report dogs are welcome on a leash. The pool is also a fishing spot.
Nearby
Lower Rainbow Pool Falls and South Fork Tuolumne Falls are each about 0.6 mile away on the same river, and Lower Middle Fork Tuolumne Falls is about 0.7 mile away on the Middle Fork. The summer day-use pass also covers Carlon Falls.
Distances are straight-line.