Rainbow Pools

The rainbow pools are a beautiful and relaxing stop on the way to Yosemite! It was a gem! Highly recommend stopping for an hour or two on your trek! Parking can be very busy and tight. We went around 4 pm and it was perfect.

One of my friends introduced the idea of visiting Rainbow Pools during 2020 in the heat of summer. I have to say, as a swimming enthusiast, this area of free style swims, and the waterfall is pretty breathtaking. It was so refreshing, and you can dive, and there's plenty of room to spread out even when it's crowded. Really, my only hesitancy about visiting here is that it's pretty rugged on any vehicle used to drive here. Twists, turns, tight stretches of road. I had just had my brakes replaced literally before this trip and am thankful for that. I would almost want to rent a car to avoid putting wear and tear on my personal vehicles. BUT, this is a must visit and should be bookmarked!

You can jump off the cliff in the top right of the photo. If you don't know how to swim, DO NOT go up. The currents can be strong & unsafe. There was a guy who swam across & drifted to the left & got stuck for a bit but he was able to come back. Other than that, the water is cold but it is refreshing on a warm day.

I researched this place prior to coming in the area. It looked so cool. It was and it wasn't. Spent the afternoon here recently. It is located off of highway 120, 20 minutes outside of Groveland, CA. The turnoff is located by a bridge with a day use sign. It would be easy to pass if not looking for it. The day use fee is $10. There is limited parking maybe a max of 15 cars for the whole thing. There is the main parking at the bottom of the hill but there are several spots on the way out. It is one way in and one way out. There is a bathroom on site. You are no more than 50 yards from the water from the main parking spots. The walk way is pretty non-existent when you get close. Be ready to rock hop. The main area next to the water was well shaded. The water is chilly to get in but once in, it was fine. The waterfall was flowing well when I was here and it set up a decent current. You will need to be a good swimmer or have flotation. The pool is pretty deep. It dropped off significantly about 10 feet from "shore". Definitely deep enough to jump from the rocks but check for yourself before doing that. Overall, a pretty cool place but use with caution regarding the current, depth, and your strength as a swimmer.

Beautiful yet incredibly dangerous spot...a woman was swept away and drowned during our visit. Do not attempt to swim in the stream, especially during spring when the snowmelt creates a roaring current! I am so very sorry for the young family that lost their mother in this senseless tragedy.

This swimming and cliff-jumping spot is an absolute blast! The crystal-clear water invites you for a refreshing swim, and the cliffs provide the perfect thrill for adventure seekers. It's well-hidden and not too crowded making it the perfect spot for a nice outdoor swim. It's a picturesque paradise where you can soak up the sun, leap off the I'm assuming 40 40-foot cliff, and make unforgettable memories. Safety precautions are well in place, making it a 5-star haven for water enthusiasts. Can't wait to go back!

This is a must see. It seems extremely busy during the day time so we waited until dinner time and everyone was gone and there was plenty of parking. It was still completely warm enough to swim. Evening time also seemed to be the time the locals were there so that makes me think that's the best time to go. People were also fishing in the evening, but that made it more difficult to swim.

Beautiful place no phone service though so be prepared on that end we had an awesome time here. Fun jumping off the cliff

Very nice just need to take cash for the parking and get their early to get a good spot

Nice swimming hole with limited parking. water is cold and pool is deep. not safe for young children. I would've preferred it if people didn't jump off the rocks. Jumping rock is nicknamed Suicide rock, cuz people get injured there and occasionally die. there is no cell phone reception there too, so stay safe there