Moderate 1-mile hike to a 40-foot waterfall; currently open but expect partial closures as USFS repair project progresses.
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Active USFS repair project along the Black River waterfall corridor (started May 18, 2026, expected through fall 2027) may cause partial trail/platform closures; per the USFS alert current as of its last update, Rainbow Falls is Open but 'construction will close portions of the trail later this summer.'
Rainbow Falls is a 40-foot waterfall near Bessemer, accessed via a half-mile trail that makes the round trip approximately one mile at a moderate pace. The hike is suitable for most visitors with reasonable fitness.
An active U.S. Forest Service repair project is underway along the Black River waterfall corridor through fall 2027. As of the checked date, Rainbow Falls is open, but the USFS alert indicates that portions of the trail will close later in the season as work progresses. Check the USFS Ottawa National Forest recreation website for current status before planning your visit, especially in mid to late summer.
There is no day-use fee to visit Rainbow Falls. The falls is not wheelchair accessible. Spring through fall typically offer the best trail conditions for hiking.
Spring through fall when trail conditions are best; check USFS status as the repair project is ongoing.
NOT wheelchair accessible.
You need guaranteed full access — construction closures are planned for later in the season.
No fee or permit requirement was published on the managing agency's site when we last checked — confirm current conditions before you go, since these change.
Via a 1-mile round-trip trail rated moderate by the managing agency.
We track 7 waterfalls in Porcupine Mountains & Black River.
There are 6 other waterfalls we track in Gogebic County. All Porcupine Mountains & Black River waterfalls →
fs.usda.gov
USFS Ottawa National Forest recreation-site page, checked 2026-09-04. Falls described as ~40 ft; half-mile (west) trail doubled to 1.0 mi round trip. CLOSURE CHECK: Ottawa NF recreation-site status listing shows Rainbow Falls as 'Site Open' (not closed), unlike Sandstone Falls, which the same alert lists as fully closed and which was excluded from this dataset.
Checked September 2026.