Visit Burney Falls, California: Loop Trail Hike and Photos

Not the highest or largest waterfall in California, Burney Falls is still one of the most sought-after destinations to visit in the northern part of the state.

Last updated: September 26, 2024

Visit Burney Falls - Roads and Destinations
A complete guide to visiting Burney Falls, Northern California

Burney Falls Loop Trail Hike and Photographic Journey 

Burney Falls has been on my radar for ages. Normally not a person who plans her travels based on places portrayed in social media, I became quite curious about the site after stumbling upon it on Instagram. Waterfalls in California normally dry up during hot summer days. But not Burney Falls. It flows forcefully throughout the year, creating a thick mist all around it. 

I hoped to visit Burney Falls during our spring road trip across Central California. But the drive from Pinnacles National Park to McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park was way too long. So we had to skip it. 

A new opportunity to visit Burney Falls arrived when we went for the second round of dramatic waterfalls in Oregon during the last days of August. And to make absolutely sure that we wouldn’t miss the popular natural attraction in Northern California this time around, we headed to the area on a weekday, the least popular time to visit McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. 

Watch our Burney Falls hike on YouTube

Visit McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park: Location and Attractions 

Attractions: Burney Falls is a 129-foot waterfall on Burney Creek. While the site is the main landmark that allures hundreds of thousands of visitors yearly, it’s not the only attraction within McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. The 565-acre area boasts several scenic trails; Lake Britton, nestled to the north via the Rim Trail; and a section of the world-famous Pacific Crest Trail. 

Location: Surrounded by California’s mountain peaks, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park resides in a volcanic region in Shasta County. 

Hike to Burney Falls - Roads and Destinations
Burney Falls loop hike

History in a Nutshell

McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park is one of the oldest parks in the State Park system. Its history dates back to May 1920. Even before being designated a National Natural Landmark (it happened in 1984), Burney Falls stole the hearts of its earliest visitors. One of them was Scott McArthur. 

Fearing that the natural attraction of such beauty could become another victim of a hydroelectric development project, McArthur bought the 160 acres of land surrounding Burney Falls. Later he transferred the property to his brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Ethel McArthur. 

In May 1920, the couple gifted the land to the State of California in memory of their parents, John and Catherine McArthur. The state paid a nominal price, $1. No further actions to save or preserve the land were done for the next two years.

Finally, in 1922 the property was transferred to the Division of Forestry. Two years later, a fire burned through the area, causing substantial damage to the wild resources. This got the attention of the state government. A local, John ‘Jack’ Allen, was assigned to manage the park that initially was named McArthur Memorial Park. 

“Burney Falls” was added to the park’s name much later. The waterfall was named after Samuel Burney, a pioneer settler who lived in the area in the 1850s. 

It’s believed that even President Theodore Roosevelt couldn’t disregard the natural magnetism of the waterfall and called it the “Eighth Wonder of the World”.

Guide to visiting Burney Falls - Roads and Destinations
Family hike in McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park

Burney Falls Loop Trail Hike 

Hike Stats

  • Distance: 1.2-mile loop trail
  • Elevation: 3,281 feet
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Time: 30-60 minutes

The Loop

The 1.2-mile trail starts near the parking lot and loops through the surrounding area, offering dramatic views of Burney Falls. The hike is easy. From the trailhead, the well-trodden trail descends gradually until it reaches the bottom of the waterfall. The path is only 0.3 mile. It stops right in front of the gushing waterfall, cascading down the 129-foot cliff into a 22-foot-deep pool. 

This vantage point is the most popular destination along the trail. The majority of hikers don’t wander beyond this point, and professional photographers are often the first visitors to access the spot and set up their tripods, ready to capture the gushing site at the prime time. 

The reliable flow of Burney Falls is one of the reasons nearly 250,000 travelers visit the waterfall yearly. (This number of visitors reached its maximum in 2020 when a pandemic turned the world upside down, forcing people to look for entertainment in the great outdoors.) 

Burney Creek originates from underground springs in the forested uplands of eastern Shasta County. The water sources multiply and the flow gets larger by the time it reaches Burney Falls. After dropping over the massive cliff face, the water continues flowing to Lake Britton. 

Burney Falls - Roads and Destinations
The Burney Falls Loop Trail is relatively empty early in the morning

Hike beyond Burney Falls Observation Point

For many visitors, the pool in front of Burney Falls is the final destination of the hike. From here they turn back and trudge along the same trail to the parking lot. We were the only visitors who hiked the entire Burney Falls Loop Trail on a chilly morning on one of the last days of summer. 

If you take on a challenge and decide to explore the entire loop, continue on along the now narrower trail until you reach the Rainbow Footbridge. The path runs along Burney Creek and is virtually flat at this point. And although you can still hear the gushing waterfall, you can’t see it from this section of the trail.  

Once you cross the footbridge, the trail starts ascending. Apart from the dense forest and the flowing stream below, no other visible distractions are present at this point.

The hikers get to see Burney Falls once again almost at the end of the loop trail. Shortly after that, the path runs across another footbridge. From here, the trail springs to the right and soon merges with the trailhead where you started your hike. 

Visit Burney Falls - Roads and Destinations
Views of Burney Falls near the trailhead
Northern California - Roads and Destinations
Although the most popular, Burney Falls is not the only landmark in the park

Things to Do in McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park

Hiking

Hiking is the preferred pastime for visitors of McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. Yet the famous Burney Falls Loop is just one of the trails to explore here. The area features several paths, including the Rim Trail that leads to Lake Britton and a section of the Pacific Crest Trail. 

Camping and Canoeing on Lake Britton

If you have the whole day to spend in McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, take advantage of the pristine, secluded lake overlooked by the majority of the area’s guests. Kayaks, canoes, fishing and paddle boats are available for rent in the park. Check out the Visitor Center for more details. 

Fishing

I came across conflicting information about fishing in McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. Some sources say you can fish all day long any time of the year while visiting the area. 

Signage along the Burney Falls Loop Trail indicates a specific time frame when fishing is allowed. Apart from this, any visitors of 16 years and older must have a fishing permit.

Swimming 

Again some sources insist that swimming is not allowed in the Burney Falls pool. Others state the opposite. If there is any information about it along the trail, I failed to notice it. 

The bottom of the waterfall doesn’t look like an ideal place to swim, though. On top of that, the water temperature lingers around 42 degrees Fahrenheit. So I wouldn’t advise attempting this freezing-cold dip. 

On the other hand, Lake Britton offers incredible opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. 

Burney Falls - Roads and Destinations
A section of the Burney Falls Trail with no views of the waterfall

Things to Know Before Visiting McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park

Parking

There is a policy of limiting visitors in place in McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. While it might be frustrating, its purpose is pretty clear: the park strives to preserve this natural environment for future generations.

With that said, park’s rangers advise the visitors to have a plan B before arriving in McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. On weekends when the area experiences its highest visitation, the park may be closed several times a day. The visitors are welcome to explore the nearby areas before returning back to the waterfall when the parking lot is ready to accommodate new vehicles.

McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park is relatively empty on weekdays. And if you arrive early in the morning, you may have the entire place to yourself or almost to yourself. 

Operating Hours

McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park is open for visitors daily, from 8:00 a.m. until sunset. 

Admission

Before jumping on the trail leading to Burney Falls, make sure to get your day parking ticket ($10) and place it on the dashboard of your car so it remains visible.

Northern California - Roads and Destinations
Burney Falls from a rather unpopular angle

Places to Visit near Burney Falls

Subway Cave

30 minutes from Burney Falls

A tunnel created by lava flow, the Subway Cave sits roughly 18 miles south of the waterfall and offers a completely different environment. Be sure to bring a flashlight or you may run the risk of getting lost in the pitch-dark cavern. 

Lassen Volcanic National Park 

46 minutes from Burney Falls

One of the most overlooked national parks in Northern California, Lassen Volcanic astounds its visitors with hydrothermal features, pristine lakes, and cascading waterfalls.

Mott’s Cottage, Fall River Mills 

27 minutes from Burney Falls

If you plan a relaxing weekend getaway, book the Mott’s Cottage in Fall River Mills right now. The rustic Airbnb sits on the 375-acre property, surrounded by rivers and distant Mt. Lassen and Mt. Shasta. 

Photo Gallery to Inspire You to Visit Burney Falls

Before I conclude this guide to visiting McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, here is an exclusive photo gallery from our trip. I hope these pictures will inspire you to visit the pristine Burney Falls region one day in the near future.

Northern California- Roads and Destinations
The view of Burney Falls from an overlook near the trailhead
Burney Falls - Roads and Destinations
A glimpse of the waterfall from the trail
Burney Falls - Roads and Destinations
Approaching the Burney Falls pool
Burney Falls - Roads and Destinations
Burney Creek
Visit Burney Falls - Roads and Destinations
One of the most beautiful waterfalls in California in its full glory
Burney Falls - Roads and Destinations
Almost at the first footbridge
Burney Falls - Roads and Destinations
Lingering longer here to explore logs and trees
Burney Falls - Roads and Destinations
No views of the waterfall from this section of the Burney Falls Trail yet
Burney Falls - Roads and Destinations
The Burney Falls Loop Trail: Rainbow Footbridge
Burney Falls - Roads and Destinations
The second footbridge
Burney Falls - Roads and Destinations
Nearing the end of the trail
Visit Burney Falls - Roads and Destinations
The Burney Falls Trail was empty early in the morning
Visit Burney Falls - Roads and Destinations
Distant views of the waterfall

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