Discover Rainbow Falls

Short trail to the edge of Rainbow Falls, a 25-foot cascade along the Grass River.
TRAIL ACTIVITY
LENGTH
0.50 miles, Round Trip
DIFFICULTY
Easy
TOWN
Clare
SURFACE
Dirt/Forest Floor, Gravel/Crushed Stone, Grass
PETS
Permitted
FEES
No

Description

The Rainbow Falls Trail begins as a wide former tote road, closed to vehicle traffic by the row of boulders place near its junction with Tooley Pond Road. Within a few hundred feet, the trail passes into denser forest and narrows to a footpath. After only 0.2 miles, the trail reaches a narrow side channel of the Grass River that forms a small island in the river near the falls. The trail crosses onto the island via a narrow wooden footbridge over the deep crevice of the side channel. Hikers should exercise caution here. Once onto the island, the trail continues for 100 feet and then ends at the far side where the Grass River thunders over the gorgeous 25-foot drop of Rainbow Falls.

Other Information

Powerful, fast-moving water and wet, slippery rocks are dangerous features of any waterfall - exercise caution while hiking or swimming near the falls.

Rainbow Falls is one of many spectacular waterfalls and hikes open to the public along Tooley Brook Road. To see the others, check the "Related Trails" section on this page just under the map.

These trails are part of the Grass River Wild Forest, a 54,000-acre collection of public forest preserves located in the towns of Clare, Clifton, Colton and Fine in St. Lawrence County and managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

 
This trail is part of the Great 8 Challenge. Learn more!

 

 

 

Trail Manager

For more information, please visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation online, or contact:

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Potsdam Sub-Office

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Potsdam Sub-Office
190 Outer Main Street - Suite 103
Potsdam, NY 13676
Phone: 315-265-3090
information.r6@dec.ny.gov
View website

Nearby Businesses

Trail Tips

Clean, Drain, Dry
Be sure to follow these steps when moving boats and other equipment between waterbodies. Help keep our waterways free of invasive species.
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Trailhead Information

Park on the side of Tooley Pond Road, 10.9 miles west of the junction with NY-3 in Cranberry Lake. The GPS coordinates for the trailhead are 44.307289, -74.994178.

The trailhead is marked by several large boulders which restrict automobile access.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
Please Sign In or Create Account to add comments.
astraight
July 29, 2024
Hiked this trail 7/28/24 with husband and 2 dogs. Very beautiful! The trail was easy and well maintained, with many small offshoot trails for different views of the the very impressive waterfall. We have done 6/8 waterfalls in this challenge, and this has been our favorite so far. This one felt more secluded, and just a great overall experience.
rtuttle
April 25, 2023
Hiked trail 4/23/23 in the rain with wife and toddlers. Good parking off the side of the road and overall nice trail that was easy to follow. Some garbage in vicinity of trail head left behind by others. Foot bridge was a little slippery and would be better for young ones if a railing was added. No rainbows today due to overcast sky, but waterfall was impressive due to spring thaw and rain.
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