McArthur-Burney Falls

Beloved Burney (Re-opened!)

Hike to the Base of Burney Falls at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park

01.15.2025

One of most beautiful waterfalls in the country is located 50 miles east of Redding in McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. The 129-foot Burney Falls is a spectacle sure to leave you misty cheeked and mystified. Gushing 100 million gallons of water daily over a beautiful basalt cliff face, the oasis is so spectacular that President Theodore Roosevelt called it one of the wonders of the world.

Even better, the trail to hike to the base of the falls recently re-opened. So, get up close to Burney on the Falls Loop Trail, an easygoing 1.2-mile hike that goes to the base of the waterfall where the whitewater churns and the surrounding area is lush (just watch your step—rocks can be slick!). If you go on a weekend, get there as early as you can … crowds do arrive to share in the awe.

Follow the trail down via a short and gentle switchback to the base, where the mist from the falls wets your face. Keep going a few minutes downstream and across the Rainbow Bridge, then back up on the west side of the falls. Burney baby, Burney!

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