McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Home to one of the most remarkable waterfalls in California, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park is situated in northern California's Shasta County near the town of Burney and within the Cascade Range and Modoc Plateau. In addition to the waterfall, outdoor enthusiasts flock to this picturesque natural area to enjoy five miles of shoreline along the streams and Lake Britton. If you can, plan your visit to coincide with the park's annual Heritage Day celebration, which honors the pioneer settlers who came to the area in the 19th century. Before the arrival of these settlers, the land was home to the Pit River Tribe.
Nearest Cities
Burney, CA
Redding, CA
Red Bluff, CA
Susanville, CA
Spring 29-62 F
Summer 45-89 F
Fall 29-69 F
Winter 20-44 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park
Campground Accommodations
Rim Camp
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 32 feet
Other amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings, dump station, restrooms, showers
Pioneer Camp
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 32 feet
Other amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings, dump station, restrooms, showers
Burney Falls Resort
Within a short drive of McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park is the Burney Falls Resort community. The resort can accommodate all RV class sizes. Here, you can join in on the community campfires and go hiking and fishing.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Picnic table, campfire ring, mini-golf course, sand volleyball court
Rancheria RV Park
It is located along the Volcanic Scenic Byway Highway 89 in Northern California, between Burney Falls and Lassen Park, and 22 miles from the park. Rancheria RV Park has 30-amp and 50-amp electrical hookups for RVs, cabins and tent sites. There is a general store on-site that carries a full line of dairy products, wine, beer, dry groceries and RV camping supplies. For your convenience, there is a restaurant on-site.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Showers, restrooms, laundry facility, cable TV
Hat Creek Hereford Ranch RV Park & Campground
The ranch is located off Doty Road in Hat Creek and north of Lassen Volcanic National Park. The Hat Creek Hereford Ranch is a 17-mile drive from McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. The camp is on a private and clean ranch encircled with green fields. Here, you can go swimming, fishing and bird-watching.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Restrooms, showers, self-service RV wash, laundry facility, RV storage
What to Do at
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park
Stop by the visitor center and gift shop to pick up a souvenir of your trip. Stay overnight at one of the park's two campgrounds. Hike along the Pacific Crest Trail, and cross over the scenic Rainbow Footbridge on your way to view the falls.
Inside McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park's centerpiece is the 129-foot Burney Falls, which is the biggest waterfall in the state. Hike or bike through the Burney Creek Trail and smell the incense cedars, oak trees, Douglas firs and ponderosa pines as you approach the falls. Burney Creek flows through the park and is the ideal place to go kayaking, canoeing and fishing; the creek flows over a 100-foot cliff before joining Lake Britten, so be careful. Anglers have been known to catch crappie, bass, bluegill and Lake Britton's trout in the creek.
Fishing
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park offers boat rentals, and there is a marina. Bait your line for rainbow, brown and brook trout when fishing in Burney Creek. When it comes to trout, the catch limit is five. You might also catch large-mouth bass, carp, squawfish, sunfish, small-mouth bass or black crappie when fishing in Lake Britton. From May through October, fly fishing is also a popular activity at the park.
Geocaching
Bring your geocaching app and a GPS device to find the cache hidden in the park. Enjoy the thrill of the hunt while enjoying the picturesque views at this scenic state park.
Nature Watching
Park rangers offer guided naturalist tours during the peak season, which runs roughly from April through October. On these tours, you can look for and learn to identify native wildflowers and local wildlife.
Stargazing
There are no large cities anywhere near the park, so the skies are very dark. McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park has a Bortle Scale of 2. Many visitors enjoy night hiking at the park in order to get the best views for stargazing.
Flora and Fauna
Squirrels, skunks, river otters, woodpeckers, raccoons, muskrats and deer make their home in the park, though the area is also home to black bears. Astute nature watchers will identify ponderosa pine trees, Jeffrey pine trees, Douglas firs and incense cedar trees towering in the forest.
Hiking
The most popular trail at the park is Falls Loop Trail, which leads you for about three-quarters of a mile to the Burney Falls waterfall. There's also a trailhead in the park that connects to the Pacific Crest Trail, so you can extend your hike for as long as you wish if you are looking for a longer journey. The Burney Creek Trail will take you to the best swimming and boating areas.
Swimming
Lake Britton's shoreline has an excellent swimming beach within the park, though you'll have to walk a bit to access it. Swimming is usually only popular during the summer months as it's too chilly otherwise.
Boating
You can access Lake Britton from the park. This 9-mile-long lake offers excellent boating opportunities. If you didn't bring your own, you can rent kayaks, paddleboats, canoes and motorized patio boats at the marina in the park and launch from the boat dock. While boating on Lake Britton, you can float right under the rail bridge that was made famous in the 1986 movie "Stand By Me."
Biking
The Pioneer Cemetery Trail is a multi-use hiking and biking path. Along the route, you'll follow a pioneer wagon trail as it leads to the historic Pioneer Cemetery.
How to Get to
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park
If you're coming from the Interstate 5 freeway in the south or the city of Redding, take State Highway 299 North until it meets State Highway 89 after about 33 miles. Head south on this road for about 6 miles until you see Lake Road. Turn right onto Lake Road, and you'll see the entrance to the park.
By Car
Entering McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park
The day-use fee for the park is $10 per vehicle. If you have an RV, note that the park cannot accommodate vehicles longer than 32 feet in length. Parking is near the entrance to the park, by the visitor center and next to the pier. The nearest parking alternative is about 1.5 miles away. In addition, parking can be very limited during the summer weekends.
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park Per Vehicle (1-4 adults) : $10.0
Whether you're looking to enjoy some rustic camping, catch fish or take a long hike, there's something for everyone at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. Be sure to take time to visit the historic old cemetery within the park as well.
Frequently Asked Questions About McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park
The park receives a massive number of visitors during peak season in the summer, so avoid those times if you can. The off-peak season is from October to April. However, if you're looking for a place to go swimming, summer is the best season to enjoy a dip in Lake Britton.
Bird-watchers will want to keep an eye out for American bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, owls and osprey. Blue jays are also a common sight at the park. The park is also home to a healthy population of mosquitoes, so you should be prepared with lots of deterrents, particularly when staying overnight.
Only 17 of the campground's 100 sites are reserved for tents and the rest are suitable for RVs. However, while RVs under 32 feet in length are welcome at the park's two campgrounds, there are no hookups at any of the sites.
Camping costs start at $35 per night. Like all California State Parks, the cost to make a reservation in advance is $7.99. You can make a reservation by phone or online.
Pets are allowed in some areas of the park, including the campground, though they cannot join you on the trails leading to the waterfalls, in the day-use areas or on the beach at Lake Britton. In addition, they cannot be left unattended in your vehicle. For these reasons, park staff recommends that you do not enter the park with your pets unless you are staying at the campground.