Planning a camping trip to McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park? You have come to the right place. This guide will make planning an absolute breeze.
McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park is the second oldest park in California and is home to Burney Falls, a 129 foot waterfall.
We did not expect how grand this waterfall was going to be and although it might not be the biggest waterfall in California it’s definitely one of the most beautiful.
We were so happy with our decision to camp at McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park, beacuse it gave us a chance to visit the falls after hours when all the day visitors had left.
This post is here to help plan your McArthur Burney Falls camping trip. It will go over things to do at Burney Falls, Burney Falls entrance fee, Burney Falls hikes and more.
You’ll know all the needed information for a stress free trip to one of California’s must see natural attractions.
This post is all about camping at McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a small commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park
Where is McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park
McArthur Burney Falls is located in Northern California. The park itself is found in Shasta County, northeast of Redding and six miles north of Highway 299 on Highway 89 near Burney California.
The park is within the Cascade Range and Modoc Plateau natural region.
Burney Falls Campground
You will find two campgrounds at McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park. Pioneer Camp and Rim Camp with a total of 102 campsites.
Each Campsite includes a picnic table, fire pit and food locker.
You can also book one of the 24 available McArthur Burney Cabins. All cabins come with a covered porch, room for tents, fire ring, picnic table and food locker. They do NOT come with electricity or plumbing. The cabin is heated by propane (included) with bathrooms and showers located nearby.
Two Cabin Sizes Are Available: One bedroom cabin can accommodate up to 4 people and comes with one bunk bed and two extra mattresses. For a larger group a two bedroom cabin is available and can accommodate up to 6 people and comes with two bunk beds and two extra mattresses.
Campsites and Cabins can be reserved six months in advance from the current date. Campsites are typically available on a first come, first served basis between Labor Day and mid-May annually. Cabins are closed during the winter.
Hot showers are available for $1 USD so make sure to bring singles or change.
Water stations are readily available throughout the camp.
Bathrooms are within walking distance of any campsite. Private bathrooms have soap dispensers but the public ones with multiple stalls do not.
Dogs are allowed on camp but must be kept on leash no longer than 6 feet long, they must be confined to a vehicle or tent at night. Dogs are not allowed on the beach, in buildings, or trails with the exception of Pioneer Cemetery Trail.
Burney Falls Campsite Reservations
You can make your reservation online at Reserve California or by calling (530) 335-5713.
Campsite Check In Time: 2:00pm
Campsite Check Out Time: Noon
Cabin Check In Time: 4:00pm
Cabin Check Out Time: 11:00am
Tip: We really enjoyed Rim Camp and thought campsites 42-44 were some of the best camping spots available, They’re more secluded then the other sites we saw.
Cost of Visiting McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park
Day use permit cost $10 USD per vehicle.
Overnight camping cost $35 USD per night plus a $7.99 non refundable reservation fee. This includes one car and each additional car will cost $10 USD per night. Campsites are limited to a maximum of 8 guest per site.
One bedroom cabins cost $88 USD per night plus a $7.99 non refundable reservation fee with a 4 person maximum occupancy.
Two bedroom cabins cost $110 per night plus a $7.99 non refundable reservation fee with a 6 person maximum occupancy.
You do not have to pay for an additional day use permit if you are camping, this fee is already included with the nightly rate.
Things to do at Burney Falls
The top attraction is visiting the 129 foot Burney Falls, this waterfall produces a minimum of 100 million gallons daily. Burney Falls is located within walking distance of camp, roughly a 10 minute walk to the lookout point and 15 minutes to the base of the falls.
Inside the park, you’ll find a few trails to enjoy. Walk along Burney Falls Loop Trail which is an easy 1.2 mile loop around the falls. Another choice is the 3 mile out and back Burney Falls Rim Trail, where you go from Burney Falls to Lake Britton. Both hikes are mostly flat, well maintained, and are perfect for families with little ones who don’t have a lot of hiking experience.
Fishing is allowed but trout is strictly catch and release only. Check the Visitors Center for updated fishing requirements and catch limits.
Spend the day at Lake Britton lounging on the beach or enjoy some water activities. Rent a small boat, kayak or canoe near the marina. Call ahead at this number for more information on pricing 530-335-5713.
Note: Pay boat launch fees at the yellow and grey kiosks near the visitor center or at the Marina. Cash or Card accepted at Kiosk.
Best Time to Visit Burney Falls
McArthur Burney Falls State Park and Campground are open year round with the exception of the Cabins, which are closed during the winter.
- Spring (March – May): March is the month with the most rainfall. Crowd levels begin to pick up in April, especially on weekends and holidays. It’s possible to experience some snow in early March.
- Summer (June – August): Summer brings huge crowds and high temps. Both the parking lot and campground fill quickly and crowds at the base of the falls have been known to be unbearable. Try to come mid-week and early morning for a better chance at a less crowded Burney Falls.
- Fall (September – November): Temps begin to cool. Crowds begin to lighten up. This would be an ideal time to visit especially for those who could not get a reservation in earlier months, as first come first served campsites become available.
- Winter (December – February): Winter brings snow, and lots of it. Crowds will be nonexistent and if you prefer the cold, this is the time for you.
Tips for an Enjoyable Stay at McArthur Burney Falls
Leave No Trace-Leave areas better than how you found them by staying on designated trails and packing out all trash. Do not disturb wildlife or plants.
No Swimming is allowed at Burney Falls but swimming is allowed at Lake Britton Beach.
Take Layers-Even in the Summer time temperatures drops dramatically once the sun sets. Temperatures drop 15-20 degrees at the base of the falls.
Bring Toilet Paper. Rangers make daily bathroom rounds in the morning and bathrooms are very clean but at night the toilet paper begins to run low and most stalls tend to run out.
Day Use Park Hours– 8:00 a.m. to sunset.
Visitor Center Hours – Wednesday-Sunday 11:00am-4:00pm
Burney Falls General Store Hours– 9:00am-6:00pm
Drone Use is Not Permitted.
Leave No Trace Principles
If you love to be outdoors whether it’s hiking, backpacking, kayaking or camping please follow these guidelines. Leave No Trace Principles helps minimize our impact and aids in preserving our earth as much as possible. If you would like additional information please read this article The 7 Principles.
The 7 Principles:
- Plan Ahead & Prepare
- Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Others
Take Nothing but Pictures; Leave Nothing but Footprints
That Concludes this post, Camping at McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park. Happy Camping!
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE:
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Travel Resources
Here you can find all the travel site links that we personally use and recommend.
CAMPSITES/CAMPGROUNDS We like to use a couple apps for last minute campsite bookings. Our favorites are HipCamp, The Dyrt and Campendium.
ACCOMMODATION: We find the best deals with BOOKING.COM. The more you book the better the perks like free breakfast with your stay, room upgrades and even higher discounted room rates.
CAR RENTALS: We have always used RentalCars.com and find them to have the best deals, customer service and selection of locations.
FLIGHTS: Our go to for looking up flights is SKYSCANNER, but we try to always book directly with the airline.
TOURS/EXCURSIONS: GET YOUR GUIDE and VIATOR are two very reputable sites with easy and hassle free bookings.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: It’s so important to travel with insurance and for this we use SafetyWing. We are currently using them for our 1 year trip.
TRANSPORTATION: For all our bus, ferry and train transfer needs in Asia we use 12go.asia.
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