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Rainbow Trail
4.9 ★★★★★ 36 Google reviews · Running trail in South Lake Tahoe, California · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Rainbow Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Rainbow Trail
“A wonderful short hike with paved paths, offering beautiful nature views and a perfect walk for kids.”
“Great easy hike to see salmon and maybe a bear if you are lucky”
Easy paved trail loop with some wooden bridge sections. Lots of wildlife to observe such as frogs, small fish, and ducks. Lots of bear warning signs and you can see the bear claw marks on some of the trees.
Absolutely love this little trail. My two year olds were able to do it with ease. You can easily take a stroller or go without. It’s a beautiful loop trail with lots of marshy areas. There’s water and little fish that the kids loved seeing.
Excellent trail. Unfortunately we came a little late so there were no salmon. Would love to come back next year.
We loved the Rainbow Trail. If you’re with little ones, they have a scavenger hunt which we all joined in on. There were frogs at the boardwalk and an aquarium that had a view into the side of a pong with lots of little fish. Make sure to check it all out.
Trail conditions & character
“There were frogs at the boardwalk and an aquarium that had a view into the side of a pong with lots of little fish.”
“A wonderful short hike with paved paths, offering beautiful nature views and a perfect walk for kids.”
“Easy paved trail loop with some wooden bridge sections.”
“You can easily take a stroller or go without.”
“There were frogs at the boardwalk and an aquarium that had a view into the side of a pong with lots of little fish.”
Plan your run at Rainbow Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitefs.usda.gov
- Phone(530) 543-2674
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near South Lake Tahoe
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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Washoe Meadows State Park
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