Rainbow Pool Day Use Area — Attraction in Sonora

Rainbow Pool and it’s day use area are approximately 10 miles before the 120 entrance into Yosemite. The pool, waterfall and general use are amazing, especially because it’s free. It does have some major downsides. During the summer when people want to go swimming and can’t go to Yosemite, it seems like they ALL end up here. There is parking for maybe 20 cars, but people tend to park everywhere.

If you decide you want to spend some time at this beautiful place, please be informed before you go. A few things you need to know include the fact that there is no services for at least 10 to 15 miles. This location has two vault toilets which unfortunately people tend not to respect and they end up dirty and smelly. Since this location is somewhat remote, you won’t have somewhere to throw away everything, so please I beg of you to plan to take everything with you when you leave.

There are two things safety related that are very important. When there is the right amount of water, the waterfall looks like it might be fun to go over. I know of people who have done just that and ended up on a stretcher with a head brace and multiple broken bones. Many people don’t realize that the reason water at the bottom of a waterfall tends to be white is because it’s full of air bubbles. This makes it incredibly hard to try to stay above water. Also there’s a spot that people love to jump off that’s probably 15 to 20 feet above the swimming area. I am all for being crazy and having a ton of fun but seriously when you see what people do when jumping off that rock you will be startled and probably horrified. I’ve never seen anybody get hurt jumping but I would be extremely wary of jumping from that distance especially during the late summer when the waterfall is barely running and the water level is lower.

If you really want the Rainbow Pool experience you will have a much better experience if you go on a weekday, get there somewhat early to get good parking and take your time having fun. Be...

I was sadly disappointed. When we went the bathrooms were absolutely disgusting, garbage inside and out. People who visit were not concerned at all with our planet. There was trash in the parking lot. There was trash along the stairs and down by the water. There was even spots were people obviously should have used the restroom instead of where they went. I wish people would be more respectful of...

Gorgeous family friendly swimming hole, with a major catch:

You allow our national treasures to be privatized to rent-seeking vendors, they WILL NOT honor veterans, seniors, or other ‘America The Beautiful’ park pass holders. $10 cash in hand to profit-driven private companies, or you go home. The website DOES say they honor these passes, but no-go in my case. I didn’t have cash and it’s in the...