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McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park burney falls in afternoon light © wei lian
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park © Gary OToole
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MCARTHUR-BURNEY FALLS MEMORIAL STATE PARK
MCARTHUR-BURNEY FALLS MEMORIAL STATE PARK
Burney, California   96013

Phone: 530-335-5713
Reservations: 530-335-5713
The park is within the Cascade Range and Modoc Plateau natural region, with 910 acres of 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.
History of the Area
The park was named after pioneer settlers Samuel Burney and John McArthur. The 910-acre area became a state park in 1926. It's home to the second oldest campground in the California State Parks system.

The centerpiece of this site is its waterfall - Burney Falls, which flows all year round due to underground springs feeding it. In fact, President Theodore Roosevelt once called these falls "the Eighth Wonder of the World."

In addition to camping and hiking opportunities provided by Pacific Crest Trail running through it, visitors can also enjoy fishing at Lake Britton within its boundaries.

FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseFishingyes
 Hiking Trailyes
BoatingLaunch Rampsyes
Camping
- Burney Falls Campground: Offers 128 sites for tents and RVs with picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms and showers.

- Pioneer Campground: Provides 24 campsites ideal for groups or large families equipped with BBQ grills.

- Cabin Rentals: Features one-room cabins that sleep up to four people; includes heating system but no kitchen facilities.

- Equestrian Camping Area: Allows horse camping featuring corrals, water troughs and trails suitable for riding horses.

- RV Hookups Sites: Equipped with full hook-ups including electricity, water supply & sewage disposal facility.


Location
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park is

Trails
- Burney Creek Trail: A 0.3-mile trail that follows the creek, offering views of wildlife and native plants.

- Falls Loop Trail: This is a popular 1.2-mile loop with stunning views of both upper and lower falls from various angles.

- Rim Trail: An easy-to-moderate difficulty level hike stretching for about one mile along the rim of Burney Canyon; offers panoramic vistas over surrounding landscapes.

- Pioneer Cemetery Walkway: Half-a-mile long walk leading to an old cemetery dating back to pioneer times in California history; not technically challenging but steep at places.

- Headwaters Loop Trial : Approximately two miles round trip, this trail takes hikers through lush forests alongside Lake Britton's shoreline before looping back around towards park headquarters.

-PCT (Pacific Crest Trail): The PCT passes directly through McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park as part its larger route spanning across three states - Washington, Oregon & California

-Lake Britton Trails System : Several trails varying between half a mile up to four miles each wind their way around scenic Lake Britton providing opportunities for bird watching or fishing breaks during hikes

-Castle Rock Waterfall Overlook - At just under six-tenths-of-a-mile out-and-back journey on moderate terrain leads you straight toward Castle Rock waterfall overlook point

-The Cabin Ruins Hike- Short quarter-of-a-Mile trek which ends at ruins site where remnants still stand from early settlers' cabins built here more than century ago

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Directions
The park is northeast of Redding, six miles north of Highway 299 on Highway 89 near Burney.

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California
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California State Parks

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