Burney Falls is a magnificent waterfall found in McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park in Shasta County, California. The dramatic falls have long been celebrated for their beauty and year-round water flow, even earning a ringing endorsement from President Theodore Roosevelt, who famously called them the “eighth wonder of the world.”
While Burney Falls is more than a hop, skip, and a jump from San Francisco, the route northward makes for a scenic road trip that takes about 4.5 to 5 hours by car. Keep reading for some tips about how to make the most of it.
What makes Burney Falls road trip worthy?
The falls are 129 feet tall, nearly 300 feet wide, and only require a short hike for the best immersive views. Water cascades over a mossy cliff draped with ferns, pouring not only from the top but also through the rock face itself. It makes for quite the misty spectacle in the surrounding lush forest.
Most California waterfalls dry out seasonally as they depend on snowmelt or rainwater, but Burney Falls stands out for having a near-constant water flow—about 100 million gallons per day—even in the driest summer months. This phenomenon occurs due to the unique geology of the area: while the falls are fed from the surface water of Burney Creek, they also draw from underground springs in the volcanic basalt cliffs, resulting in a powerful flow of water no matter when you visit. That said, peak season begins in April when the falls are made even more robust by snowmelt.
The panoramic Burney Falls overlook is located right next to the park’s main parking lot, which makes it accessible for most visitors, including those with mobility issues. You can also get a closer view via the 1.2-mile Falls Loop Trail, which begins at the overlook and takes you down to the base of the falls with several unique vantage points. Beat the crowds by arriving early or midweek.
What is there to do beyond the falls?
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park has about five miles of hiking trails through evergreen forests. A segment of the famous Pacific Crest Trail even passes through the park, which can be a fun outing for more adventurous hikers. The park has a campground and 24 rustic cabins available for rental, as well as a visitor center and general store. You could also spend a few hours at Lake Britton, a popular fishing and swimming destination next to the park.
Burney Falls is located within driving distance of several other nature destinations to round out your trip. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Lassen Volcanic National Park – Famous for Bumpass Hell, a unique hydrothermal area available to visit in the summer and fall. The park takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach by car from Burney Falls, and makes for a worthwhile detour on your road trip.
- Subway Cave Lava Tubes – This is a popular stop between Burney Falls and Lassen, with a spacious cave that’s about 1,300 feet long. It’s about a 30-35 minute drive from Burney Falls.
- McCloud Falls – You can visit this series of three waterfalls in Shasta-Trinity National Forest via car or on foot. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour to reach from Burney Falls.
What else should I know about the road trip from SF?
The journey from San Francisco to Burney Falls is notably scenic, especially once you leave the Central Valley. The route traverses a variety of landscapes, including farmland, historic small towns, dense pine forests, and volcanic terrain. The final stretch along CA-299 and CA-89 is especially beautiful with minimal traffic.
Some worthwhile road trip stops along the way include Old Sacramento’s historic district, the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico, Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding, and Castle Crags State Park in Castella.