Trail · Lake Chelan National Recreation Area
Rainbow Creek Trail
19.5 mi round trip5,296 ft gainVery hardDay hike: No permitOvernight: Reservation
Get alerts for this hikePermits and reservations
Day hikeNo permit
Day hikes in the national park need no permit or reservation.
OvernightReservation
Every overnight stay needs a wilderness permit, year-round. Reserve on Recreation.gov or walk up in Marblemount.
Permit calendar
Early-access lotteryEarly March
Winners bookLate March to April
General reservationsLate April
Walk-up permitsMid-May to early October
Lake Chelan National Recreation Area rules from the National Park Service. Exact dates are set each year; past years followed this pattern. Always confirm with the land manager before you go.
About the trail
Distance19.5 miRound trip, out and back
Elevation gain5,296 ftTotal climb, round trip
High point5,988 ftFrom elevation data
Overview
Rainbow Creek Trail is a 19.5-mile round trip, out and back from Trailhead on Stehekin Valley Road. The route follows Rainbow Loop Trail, then Rainbow Creek Trail.
Photos from hikers
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What you need
Parking and passes
National park trailheads here have no entrance fee. Check posted signs for any parking rules.
Getting there
The hike starts at Trailhead on Stehekin Valley Road. Save directions offline before you leave, since mountain roads often lose cell service.