Rainbow Valley – East Patterson
Paragliding site · United States
- Launch altitude
- 300 m
- Level
- Ask the local school
- Best season
- —
- Landing
- —
Works on SW · W · NW
Where it is
Rainbow Valley – East Patterson is one of the four Arizona Tow Group launches in Rainbow Valley south-west of Phoenix. With four launches covering all directions, the group can always tow into wind, so the site is flyable year-round when it's not too windy or raining. Guest pilots are welcomed but must be comfortable with tow launching: forward-launch on tow in nil wind at minimum, reverse-launch on tow in 45° crosswind for the common days. Mid-day spring and summer conditions can be demanding, so good kiting skills are expected.
Launch & conditions
One of four Rainbow Valley launches — always tow into wind. Winch fees $40/day, unlimited tows. Tow-launch familiarity required.
Getting there & local rules
From central Phoenix: I-10 to Estrella Parkway, south to Willis Road (right), to Rainbow Valley Road (left), several miles to Riggs Road. Wind direction dictates which launch is active — most likely Riggs+Bullard or Patterson+Bullard.
Local rules & hazards
Sky Harbor Class B to the north. Luke AFB jet corridor active on weekdays. Rainbow Valley is a GA training area — share the airspace with many aircraft, often below you. Extreme summer heat, violent September afternoon thunderstorms.
Check conditions before you fly
A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Rainbow Valley – East Patterson, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Rainbow Valley – East Patterson with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.
Conditions right now
Live — the same sources the OutDare app uses
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Is it usually flyable?
Set your wing's wind range once — the live 7-day outlook and the last 12 months both answer for Rainbow Valley – East Patterson.
Surface wind (10 m) in km/h — the same number you read on any forecast.
The 7-day outlook and the 12-month history below both update to your range.
7-day wind outlook
High-resolution models — the same OutDare uses.
Loading the forecast…
Over the last 12 months
42% of days flyable
154 of 365 days had a dry 2-hour+ window in your range, from a direction this site flies
Best month
Jun · 93%
Flyable days by month
A day counts as flyable when the surface wind held in your range, from a direction the site flies, with no rain, for at least 2 hours in a row (08:00–20:00) — from hourly 10 m wind over the last 12 months. A seasonal wind guide only: it can't judge gusts, thermals or turbulence, and never replaces the live forecast, airspace checks and your own judgement.
Nearby flying sites
Site facts from the OutDare flying-site database. Always verify current access and regulations with the local club before flying.