Looking for more to explore near Burney Falls?
Wander through Subway Cave Lava Tubes, and camp overnight at Fowlers Campground, home to more lovely waterfalls and a picture perfect swimming hole.
LOCATION
- Burney Falls is the showpiece within McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park in Northern California. The state park is a 45 minute drive north of Lassen Volcanic National Park, and about an hour and 15 minutes northeast of Redding on Highway 89.
LENGTH
- 1 mile loop trail
DIFFICULTY
- Easy — The trail to Burney Falls is short and well maintained. At the start of the hike, you’ll be above the falls, then make your way down to the pool at the base of the falls before climbing back up. The total elevation gain is around 160 feet. If you just want to see the falls, there’s a viewing platform near the parking lot, no hike required.
WE HIKED IT
August 2020, about 45 minutes
CURRENT INFO
Visit the McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park website for current information about the park. For more detailed info on the trail, see the AllTrails listing for Burney Falls.
GOOD TO KNOW
- There is a $10 per vehicle day use fee to enter McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park.
- Burney Falls is extremely popular. Arrive very early or visit in the off season if possible.
- The park is beautifully maintained with clean restrooms.
- Drinking water is available.
- A large day use area with picnic tables and a visitor center is located near the falls. There’s even a camp store selling sandwiches and ice cream.
- Pets are not allowed on the Burney Falls trail. They are allowed at the campground, however.
HIGHLIGHTS
Many consider Burney Falls to be one of California’s most beautiful waterfalls. Even with the throngs of visitors who flock to see it, it’s hard to disagree. There’s something magical about how the water seeps through the moss covered rocks framing the main falls. Because much of the falls is fed directly by springs in the basalt cliffs, the water flow is strong throughout the year. This is one waterfall you can visit any time of year for a fantastic show!
THE KIDS’ TAKE
This short hike is a good leg-stretcher for all ages. The kids enjoyed the bridges that cross the creek, but my older son, J, prefers less crowded hikes.
WHILE YOU’RE HERE
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park also includes a good campground. In addition to the trail to the falls, the Pioneer Cemetery trail is open to both hikers and bikers. Lake Britton offers boating, swimming, and fishing in a lush environment.
Burney Falls is a 40-minute drive from beautiful Fowlers Campground on the McCloud River. Fowlers is one of our favorite campgrounds in Northern California, with more waterfall hikes and an outstanding swimming hole.
Just 45 minutes south of Burney Falls is the entrance to Lassen Volcanic National Park, offering so much more to explore. We stayed at Manzanita Lake Campground while at Lassen, which makes a great home base for the area. Between Burney Falls and Lassen, you can visit Subway Cave, and take a short hike through a fascinating lava tube.
Our Experience
The morning we departed our campground at Medicine Lake, we awoke to find the wildfire smoke that we had first noticed the day before had increased. Still, it wasn’t too bad. We finished packing up our campsite, then hit the road, winding through seemingly endless forests as we made our way west toward Burney Falls.
I’d had Burney Falls on my mental travel list for years, ever since I first saw a photo of this iconic waterfall. I’ve long since forgotten where I saw that photo, but it’s obvious that I’m not the only one who took notice. Burney Falls is one of those places that has become Insta-famous, as thousands make the pilgrimage to see it after falling for one of its many Instagram glamour shots.
Because of this, I was a little concerned about potential crowds. In that sense, perhaps the smoke in the air would be a blessing in disguise; maybe fewer visitors would venture forth. The air reddened as we neared McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, giving the sky a strange orange-grey cast.
We pulled into the park entrance, happy to find a spot that would easily accommodate our trailer. Immediately, you could hear the roar of the falls. Soon, we could also see it. Burney Falls isn’t shy, and you’ll get a picture perfect view of the waterfall only a few minutes walk from the parking lot. This is great for anyone who may not be physically able to complete the trail. But for those who are up for a short hike, keep going! The trail itself is a joy to travel, and takes you to even more amazing viewpoints.
We began hiking the loop in a counter-clockwise direction, and hadn’t gone far when we came to the first of two graceful bridges that cross Burney Creek. J walked down to the water for a closer view of the rushing water. Burney Creek and neighboring Lake Britton are popular fishing spots, so you may find some anglers hoping for a bite.
The trail meanders through forest, taking you gradually downhill to the lower portion of the creek. Here, we discovered another picturesque bridge, arching over the stream amid vine maples.
Back across Burney Creek, we again approached the falls, this time from below rather than above. A viewing area near the pool provides the perfect photo op, and was a very popular spot. As I had expected, there were many other hikers on the trail, but it wasn’t as crowded as our recent hikes and Toketee and Watson Falls in Southern Oregon. Perhaps the smoke had cleared out some would-be visitors after all. It was disheartening to see the smoke-dimmed sky above, but we were still in awe of the magnificent cascade before us. Burney Falls doesn’t disappoint.
We soaked in the view, then headed back up the trail to the parking lot. This is the steepest part of the hike, as it takes you more directly back to the top. After a final glance at the falls, we said our goodbyes. Burney Falls was worth the wait.
