- Day use hours are from 8:00 a.m. to sunset.
- Visitor Center: Wed-Sun (11am-4pm)
- Interpretive activities (including hiking tours):
Wed-Sun (11am-4pm)
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park
Notice - 2/26/2023 - The park is experiencing impacts and periodic park closures due to impacts from the winter storms and its excessive amounts of snow and wind making conditions to and in the parks unsafe for visitors and staff.
For the list of temporary park closures, visit www.parks.ca.gov/Incidents.
For the list of temporary park closures, visit www.parks.ca.gov/Incidents.
Phone Number
(530) 335-2777
Max. Trailer Lengths
Trailer: Up to 32 Feet including trailer hitch and bumpers
Camper/Motorhome: Up to 32 Feet
Park Hours
Dogs Allowed?
Yes
Dogs allowed only in parking lot, paved roadway, campgrounds. Dogs not allowed on trails or day-use areas.
Driving Directions to McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial SP
The park is northeast of Redding, 6 miles north of Highway 299 on Highway 89 near Burney.
Visitors will be able to reserve campsites and lodging six months in advance from the current date. Bookings may extend from the arrival date to the desired departure date – based on availability and the park’s maximum stay rules.
Campsites are typically available on a first come, first served basis between Labor Day and mid-May annually. The cabins are closed during winter.
Upcoming Park Events
No events scheduled at this moment.
BOATING
Boating
Boat Ramps
Boat Rentals
Boating
Boat Ramps
Boat Rentals
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES
En route Campsites
Environmental Campsites
Family Campsites
Hike or Bike Campsites
RV Dump Station
Alternative Camping
RV Access
En route Campsites
Environmental Campsites
Family Campsites
Hike or Bike Campsites
RV Dump Station
Alternative Camping
RV Access
TRAIL USE
Hiking Trails
Horseback Riding
Hiking Trails
Horseback Riding
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Fishing
Interpretive Exhibits
Scuba Diving/Snorkeling
Beach Area
Swimming
Vista Point
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Windsurfing/Surfing
Family Programs
Geocaching
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Fishing
Interpretive Exhibits
Scuba Diving/Snorkeling
Beach Area
Swimming
Vista Point
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Windsurfing/Surfing
Family Programs
Geocaching
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Camp Store
Parking
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Wheelchair Accessible
Camp Store
Parking
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Wheelchair Accessible
For information on Cabin Camping, boat rental and camp store hours
please call the store at (530) 335-5713.
Visitors,
McArthur Burney Falls State Park experiences extremely high visitation beginning in April and continuing through October. Most weekends all summer the park will fill to capacity and entrance into the park is subject to closure due to limited parking availability. Visitors should expect traffic delays on State Highway 89 for up to an hour prior to entering the park due to the increased visitation experienced at this park. It is illegal to park along Highway 89 outside of the park for a mile either direction. If you park along Highway 89 your vehicle will be subject to citation and tow. The speed limit is 55 mph along Highway 89 and utilized by a large volume of semitrucks, it is not recommended to walk along the highway. If you arrive to find the entrance closed due to full capacity, please return at a later time - typically after 4:00 p.m.
Note: The park cannot admit entrance to vehicles over 32 feet for day-use or camping. Additionally, only a limited number of oversized vehicles (less than 32 feet in length) will be admitted into park. Oversized vehicles will only be allowed to park in the Lake Britton parking lot (approximately 1.5 miles walk to the falls) on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Due to limited parking capacity, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park cannot accommodate entry, drop-offs or parking of tour busses until further notice.
McArthur Burney Falls State Park experiences extremely high visitation beginning in April and continuing through October. Most weekends all summer the park will fill to capacity and entrance into the park is subject to closure due to limited parking availability. Visitors should expect traffic delays on State Highway 89 for up to an hour prior to entering the park due to the increased visitation experienced at this park. It is illegal to park along Highway 89 outside of the park for a mile either direction. If you park along Highway 89 your vehicle will be subject to citation and tow. The speed limit is 55 mph along Highway 89 and utilized by a large volume of semitrucks, it is not recommended to walk along the highway. If you arrive to find the entrance closed due to full capacity, please return at a later time - typically after 4:00 p.m.
Due to limited parking capacity, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park cannot accommodate entry, drop-offs or parking of tour busses until further notice.
McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park entrance kiosk is closed in the off-season. Please bring exact change or credit/debit cards to pay by APM (Automatic Payment Machine) which is located just pass the entrance kiosk in front of the visitor center.
- Park Day-Use Fee - $10 Per Vehicle
- Overnight Camping - $35 Per Night (Includes One Vehicle).
- Additional Overnight Camping Vehicles - $10 Per night.
Notice of Trail Closures
- Please be advised in addition to the following trail closures there will be heavy equipment and construction on the main park road and in the campground area throughout the summer.
- Until further notice, the Burney Creek Trail from the intersection of the Falls Loop Trail at Rainbow Bridge north to the intersection of the Rim Trail is closed due to significant erosion from storm damage. To access the Lake Britton picnic area by trail, please use the Rim Trail.
- Until further notice, the PSEA Trail from the intersection of the Falls Loop Trail at Rainbow Bridge north to the PSEA Camp is closed due to significant erosion from storm damage.
- The Falls Loop Trail, which encircles Burney Falls, is open.
- Please mind the trail closed signs. The warnings are for your safety and to prevent further trail damage. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Pet Information:
- We recommend you leave all pets at home as they are not allowed on the trails surrounding the falls (CCR 4312(f)), on the beach at Lake Briton (CCR4312(f)), or allowed to be left unattended in your vehicle (CVC 497.7(a)).
The park is within the Cascade Range and Modoc Plateau natural region, with forest and five miles of streamside and lake shoreline, including a portion of Lake Britton.
The park's centerpiece is the 129-foot Burney Falls, which is not the highest or largest waterfall in the state, but possibly the most beautiful. Additional water comes from springs, joining to create a mist-filled basin. Burney Creek originates from the park's underground springs and flows to Lake Britton, getting larger along the way to the majestic falls.
The park's landscape was created by volcanic activity as well as erosion from weather and streams. This volcanic region is surrounded by mountain peaks and is covered by black volcanic rock, or basalt. Created over a million years ago, the layered, porous basalt retains rainwater and snow melt, which forms a large underground reservoir.
Within the park, the water emerges as springs at and above Burney Falls, where it flows at 100 million gallons every day.
Burney Falls was named after pioneer settler Samuel Burney who lived in the area in the 1850s. The McArthurs were pioneer settlers who arrived in the late 1800s. Descendants were responsible for saving the waterfall and nearby land from development. They bought the property and gave it to the state as a gift in the 1920s.
Special Events
On the Sunday of Columbus Day weekend, the park hosts Heritage Day, featuring demonstrations and recreations of activities and crafts common to people during the late 19th century.
Additional Visitor Services
- Recreation Resource Management (Camp store and tent cabins)
Hiking
There are five miles of hiking trails winding through the park's evergreen forests. The Pacific Crest Trail passes through the park.
Location-Directions
The park is northeast of Redding, six miles north of Highway 299 on Highway 89 near Burney.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
Summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised.
(Photograph by Michael Wopat)Burney Falls at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park is an outstanding example of a waterfall and stream fed by large springs that are commonly associated with areas covered by recent lava flows, and also of a waterfall formed by the undercutting of horizontal rock layers. The soft white rock is diatomite. Its presence is evidence that a very large lake once filled the region and supported abundant tiny freshwater plankton called diatoms.