Rainbow Lake Trail

Rainbow Lake Trail is a day hike in Whistler, British Columbia, built as an out-and-back route to Rainbow Lake along 21 Mile Creek.

The hike climbs steadily through forest, passing Rainbow Falls early on, then continues upward into subalpine terrain before the lake finally comes into view.

Route length for the mapped out-and-back is 8.06 km one way (about 16 km round trip), with roughly 850 m of elevation gain reported for the standard turnaround hike.

Timing matters for conditions: late July through September is the usual window for wildflowers around Rainbow Lake.

Water-supply protection shapes the trip: swimming, camping, and dogs are prohibited in the Rainbow Lake watershed area, though you can camp at nearby Hanging Lake (about 1.5 km past the lake).

Facilities are limited—outhouses are spaced along the route, and there are no facilities at Rainbow Lake itself aside from the outhouses along the trail.

A short side route leads toward Rainbow Falls from a junction early in the hike; after visiting the falls, return to the junction and continue the main climb.

More information: Rainbow Lake Hike in Whistler, Rainbow Lake Hiking Trail in Whistler | Vancouver Trails, Rainbow Lake Trail | Explore the Kootenai National Forest