Weekend at Burney's

See Burney Falls in McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park

Burney Falls

Get ready for misty cheeks, and to be mystified! The 129-foot Burney Falls in McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park gushes 100 million gallons of water every day over a basalt cliff face from Burney Creek. It’s so impressive President Theodore Roosevelt called it one of the wonders of the world. Get up close to Burney on the Falls Loop Trail, an easy 1.2-mile hike taking you down to the waterfall’s base, where whitewater kicks up, keeping the surrounding area lush (and the rocks a bit slick!).

If visiting on a weekend, go as early as you can to avoid crowds. The hike wastes no time getting to its marquee attraction: You’re immediately privy to beautiful views of Burney.

Follow the gentle switchback down to the base of the falls where mist wets your cheeks. Keep going a few minutes downstream and cross over the Rainbow Bridge, then back up on the west side of the falls. Oh yeah, feel the Burney.

Burney Falls

From Redding, drive 50 miles east on Hwy. 299 to the town of Burney. Continue another 5 miles east to Hwy. 89 and turn left (north). Drive 5.5 miles to the park entrance. Park in the main lot by the visitor center and follow the Falls Loop Trail. Burney Falls is in McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. No dogs.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Chasing Dark Skies: Southern Oregon

    Hot springs, hiking, lodging, antelope, and one of the world’s best places for looking up at night.

    View
  2. Woman with her arms outstretched to the rolling hills scenery while on a rock outcrop at Barnabe Peak in Samuel P Taylor Sate Park in Marin

    Barnabe Bonanza

    Sure, there are higher mountains in Marin (Mount Tam) and easier ascents (Mount Burdell), but is there a more expansive North Bay view? Barnabe Peak in Samuel P. Taylor State Park offers a glorious panorama including Mount Tam, Mount Diablo, and Mount St. Helena.

    View
  3. Tamtastic Sunset

    Sure, the East Peak of Mount Tam is absolutely spectacular at sunset, but some magic-hour enthusiasts head to a nearby spot, Trojan Point, for a little more personal space in their panoramic viewings.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Lagoon Swoon

    We all love an underdog story, especially in the shadow of the greats. Enter a truly SoCal coastal version: Malibu Lagoon State Beach. Though situated next to Surfrider Beach, a fa

    View
  2. Woman hiking the San Onofre Bluffs Loop Trail to San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County

    Bluffing Good!

    Lovely coastline, beautiful beaches, unique geological history, and picturesque sandstone cliffs with limited foot traffic in San Diego County? Head to San Onofre State Beach and the 5-mile San Onofre Bluffs Loop Trail.

    View
  3. Tahoe's Trio of Lake Vistas

    They say good things come in threes, and it’s true when you embark on this 8-mile (round-trip) hike in Tahoe’s Desolation Wilderness. It gives you three excellent lake vistas: Eagl

    View