4 Tehama - e Magazine, October, 2015
4 TEHAMA - THE MAGAZINE, October 2015
Burney Falls
By Chip Thompson
Just an hour-and-a-half from Red Bluff, Burney
Falls is more a wall of water than a traditional
falls — with a cliff face of water gushing from
hundreds of fissures into a large pool.
A visitor-friendly outing, the falls are within
the McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park,
which has an entrance fee. The destination is well
marked, and parking is paved and plentiful. There
are restrooms, picnic areas and campgrounds
available. There is even a park gift shop.
Hike down the well-maintained trail to the
base of the falls for the best views and return to
the parking area for an easy trek. Continue on the
trail downstream, over a footbridge and up the
other side for another mile to make a loop around
the falls and view them from the top as well.
For a longer hike, continue downstream to
Lake Britton – a popular spot for kayaking and
swimming in summer months. Along the loop
trail you'll have the opportunity to take a short
detour to a section of the Pacific Crest Trail, which
spans from Canada to Mexico across some of the
highest points along the Sierras and Cascades. The
loop trail is suitable for most visitors, including
children.
The park is a good weekend destination year-
round, easily combined with a visit to Subway
Cave lava tube and Potem and Hatchet Creek
falls. Fly fishing on Burney Creek is a popular
activity both above and below the falls.
To get there, take State Route 299 west from
Redding and turn north onto State Route 89
for six miles. For information about amenities,
visit www.burney-falls.com. Park information is
available at www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=455.
