Ultimate Adventure Guide to Rainbow Falls Provincial Park

The wonders of Rainbow Falls Provincial Park are only partly revealed by its name. True, the focal point of this quiet oasis of nature in Northern Ontario is an incredible waterfall. But there’s so much more: a great campground and hiking trails nestled in the boreal forest and a separate, more intimate campground on the rugged shores of Lake Superior. The result is a diverse camping experience with something for everyone.

I’ve been lucky to stay at both Rainbow Falls Provincial Park campgrounds. I have trekked to scenic waterfalls while overnighting at the park’s secluded Whitesand Lake Campground and fallen asleep to the sound of waves on Lake Superior’s gravel shores, in the waterfront campground near the quaint village of Rossport. I anticipate linking the two campgrounds with a longer hike on the Casque Isles Backpacking Trail on my next visit.

Rainbow Falls Provincial Park is ideal for adventurers and families alike. Located two hours east of Thunder Bay, it makes a great overnight stopover on a road trip on the Trans-Canada Highway. However, you’ll want to stay longer to take in all of the park’s attractions. This article will whet your appetite to discover one of the best parks in northern Ontario.

Planning Your Trip to Rainbow Falls 

Rainbow Falls is located on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 17), about two hours east of Thunder Bay and six hours west of Sault Ste. Marie. Camping is available from the May long weekend through mid-October. Spring in Rainbow Falls Provincial Park is highlighted by the return of flashy songbirds like Magnolia Warblers and the wail of Common Loons, as well as delicate trout lily and orchid wildflowers. The power of Rainbow Falls in spring flood is a sight to behold. However, spring visitors should be prepared for cool temperatures and fog, especially near Lake Superior. Blackflies and mosquitoes also emerge in early June and stick around through mid-July.

Mid-summer is peak season at Rainbow Falls Provincial Park, with mild temperatures, fewer bugs and warm water conditions. It’s a good idea to reserve your campsite during July and August. Autumn tends to arrive in early September, marked by cooler weather, golden birch and poplar leaves, and stronger winds and larger waves on Lake Superior. Day use permits are required at Rainbow Falls Provincial Park throughout the operating season, from the May long weekend until mid-October. Off-season day use is allowed for hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country though no services are provided and all park roads and facilities are gated and closed.

What To Do At Rainbow Falls

Camping at Rainbow Falls

There are two campgrounds at Rainbow Falls Provincial Park. The Whitesand Lake Campground is located on the east (inland) side of Highway 17, on Whitesand Lake. You can hike from the campground to Rainbow Falls and there’s a family-friendly beach and swim area, as well as good canoeing and kayaking, on Whitesand Lake.

The Whitesand Campground has 97 campsites with a near-equal mix of non-electrical and electrical sites, with great choices for tent campers and RVs. The campground is divided into five sections to afford more privacy; the five waterfront campsites in the Lakeside section are especially popular. All campsites have a picnic table and firepit, with easy access to water taps and pit toilets. A central comfort station with indoor toilets, showers and laundry facilities is also available. The Whitesand Lake Campground opens on the May long weekend and closes in mid-September.

Rainbow Falls’ Rossport Campground is smaller with 36 sites (23 electrical), a comfort station and laundry. The main attraction is Lake Superior, and several sites feature short paths to the lakeshore. The campground is more open with a bit less privacy than Whitesand Lake, and it can be cooler, windier and foggier because of its proximity to Lake Superior. The Rossport Campground is open from the May long weekend through mid-October.

Rainbow Falls Provincial Park does not offer backcountry camping or roofed accommodations. Experienced sea kayakers can access some of Lake Superior’s finest paddling and backcountry camping in the Rossport Islands, part of the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area.

The quaint village of Rossport is a great option if you’re looking for a base for day trips to Rainbow Falls Provincial Park and other attractions. There are many places to stay in Rossport within a five-minute drive of the park, including Willows Bed and Breakfast, Island Shores Bed and Breakfast, Nestled in Nature Bed and Breakfast, and Rossport Inn Cabins. Serendipity Gardens offers accommodations and renowned dining.

Exploring the Waterfalls

The Whitesand River tumbles out of Whitesand Lake in the cascades of Rainbow Falls, on its way to Lake Superior. Water pours through polished fractures in the granite bedrock, dropping a total of 50 m over 400 m of river, all of which can be viewed from boardwalks and stairs at the beginning of the 1.1-km (2.2-km return) Rainbow Falls trail. The final drop in the series is the largest and most impressive, especially during the high water of spring. The falls are reduced to a trickle in periods of low water, providing a closer look at how glaciers shaped the rocks, which in turn have been buffed smooth by eons of flowing water.

Hiking Trails in Rainbow Falls

There are several great hikes in Rainbow Falls Provincial Park, all starting in the Whitesand Lake Campground. The 1.1-km (2.2-km return) Rainbow Falls trail traces the park’s namesake cascades along the Whitesand River. It’s an easy hike starting in the northwest corner of the campground. After crossing the river, the trail continues to a scenic overlook with views of Lake Superior and joins the Casque Isles Backpacking trail. This rugged footpath traces the Lake Superior coastline from the village of Rossport to the town of Terrace Bay, a distance of 53 km. Heading east from the Whitesand Lake campground, fit hikers can get a taste of this epic coastal trail by trekking 13-km (one-way) to Schreiber Beach.

Additionally, the 1.1-km (2.2-km return) Superior Trail leads to a panoramic view of the largest of the Great Lakes, and 3.5-km Back 40 Lookout trail heads north, with a side trail ascending to a lookout high above the surrounding terrain.

Water Activities at Rainbow Falls

Whitesand Lake is a large body of water with many arms and bays to explore; you could easily spend a day canoeing or kayaking to take it all in. It is a treat for paddlers not only for the diversity of shoreline, but also for the fact that you can usually find places to get shelter from the wind. Canoes are available for rent at the park gatehouse.

The Rossport Campground on Lake Superior gives sea kayakers access to some of the finest paddling on the Great Lakes. It’s important to recognize that Lake Superior’s waters are dangerously cold for most of the summer and wind and waves can pose life-threatening hazards for the unprepared and unskilled. Assess your skills, check the weather, have contingency plans in place and ensure you have the proper equipment before setting out. Recreational kayaks without bulkheads should only be used in near-shore, sheltered water locations. Novices, families and those looking for a worry-free, all-inclusive experience with great local knowledge can sign up for a guided Rossport Islands kayak tour with Such A Nice Day Adventures. The company also offers sea kayak rentals and vehicle shuttles.

Swimming at Rainbow Falls Provincial Park is outstanding. You’ll find two great sandy beaches with access to safe, warm water at the Whitesand Lake Campground. Swimming in Lake Superior at the Rossport Campground is a bucket-list activity—but not for the faint of heart! There are sand and gravel rocky beaches along the lakeshore to take the plunge into cold and crystalline waters.

Fishing at Rainbow Falls

Whitesand Lake is a quintessential Northern Ontario body of water with the “usual suspects” of fish species, including lake trout and bass. Trolling spoons (especially in the spring) and casting into shoreline shallows are effective strategies for each species, respectively. The park offers a launch for motorboats on Whitesand Lake. The cascades of the Whitesand River pose a special challenge for flyfishers looking to catch feisty brook trout from shore, just after the spring freshet.

Fishing on Lake Superior can be difficult without insider knowledge. However, spring is a good time to cast bright-coloured spinners for rainbow (steelhead) trout at river mouths, and lake trout and salmon can be caught by trolling offshore. You can launch a motorboat from the marina in the nearby village of Rossport. Ontario fishing licences are required. Fish ON-Line provides an overview of fish species and specific regulations for bodies of water across all of Ontario.

Don’t Miss…

Bring a bike to ride the quiet campground roads at Rainbow Falls Provincial Park. Keep an eye on the park calendar, posted at the gatehouse and comfort station, for upcoming Discovery programs with fun and knowledgeable park naturalists. An autumn visit gives you the best chance to witness the fury of storms on Lake Superior.

Nearby Attractions and Day Trips

The town of Rossport is a great place to visit with a picturesque waterfront including a park and picnic area, outstanding dining at the Serendipity Cafe and hand-thrown creations at Island Pottery on Nicol Island. Be sure to stop by the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area visitor centre on the waterfront in Terrace Bay, about 20 minutes east of Rainbow Falls. A boardwalk trail at the visitor centre traces coastal dunes to secret gravel beaches; guided programs are also available. North Shore Adventures offers guided Lake Superior fishing tours and boat shuttles from the town of Marathon, about 110 km east on the Trans-Canada Highway.

Rainbow Falls FAQs: Everything You Need to Know

• How do I get reservations?

You can see pictures of campsites and make Rainbow Falls Provincial Park reservations online up to five months before your arrival date. Ontario Parks day use permits can also be reserved online.

• What is the best time to visit Rainbow Falls?

For the best weather plan on visiting Rainbow Falls Provincial Park in August, when the weather is most stable and air and water temperatures are warmest. Spring is a great time to visit to experience Rainbow Falls during the high water freshet.

• What are the best spots for photography?

Hike the boardwalks and stairs of the Rainbow Falls trail for great waterfall photography. The Lake Superior coastline at the Rossport Campground offers inspiring landscapes and the potential for dramatic waves and weather.

• Is there cell service?

Reliable cell service is available at both the Whitesand Lake Campground and the Rossport Campground. 

Plan Your Rainbow Falls Adventure Now

Great waterfalls and the rugged Lake Superior coastline are the main attractions at Rainbow Falls Provincial Park. Now’s the time to discover a Northern Ontario destination with great camping, hiking, paddling and more. Visit Ontario Parks websites to learn more about the Rainbow Falls Provincial Park’s two campgrounds, outdoor activities, and to make reservations.

Showing 'Edited Body' is no longer supported.