McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park

A comfy campout with 2 to 5 mile hikes
Driving to and sleeping at a campground
Perfect for families with young kiddos

Kayaking in Lake Britton and chasing waterfalls at Burney Falls State Park

Kayaking in Lake Britton and chasing waterfalls at Burney Falls State Park

Kayaking in Lake Britton and chasing waterfalls at Burney Falls State Park

Kayaking in Lake Britton and chasing waterfalls at Burney Falls State Park

Designed by
Yvonne Leow
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Last updated
August 3, 2024

Trip · 3-day camping trip

For · Friends and new campers

Vibe · Relaxing and chill

Reservations · Yes, reserve a site at Rim Campground

Drive · 4.5 hours from SF

Ideal dates · May to September

Pets · Welcome at camp, but not on trails

The star of McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park (BFSP) is its 129-foot high namesake: Burney Falls. People flock from all over to witness this natural wonder, which never fails to disappoint, but the park does get packed over summer weekends. Avoid the crowds by reserving a mid-week campsite and visiting the falls around 7 AM. As they say, early birds get Burney Falls for themselves!

Official State Park Website

Directions To Campground

Main image credit: Gracie Emory

Stuff to know

  • You can't swim in the falls, but Lake Britton is an awesome nearby alternative
  • Mosquitoes like to hang out during the summer. Bring your bug spray!
  • Day-use passes are $10 per car, but parking lots can be full during the summer
  • The best views of Burney Falls can be found from the main trail, a 1.3 mile loop

Resources

Check the weather
Burney Falls

Where to camp

Rim Campground

Each campsite comes with a:

  • Picnic table
  • A fire pit and grill
  • Space for up to 8 people
  • 1 to 3 parking spots
  • Food storage locker

Rim Campground is located between Burney Falls and Lake Britton, an under-rated highlight within the park. Unlike Pioneer campground, Rim is located closer to the falls. The campground has heated cabins, RV, and tent campsites as well as a general store, restrooms and token-operated showers. Campsites can be reserved up to six months advance for peak summer months, and are first-come, first-serve between Labor Day and mid-May. If you have a flexible sked, keep an eye out for last-minute campsite cancellations over the summer!

Check-in: After 2 PM · Check-out: 12 PM

Quiet hours: 10 PM to 6 AM​

View Campground Map

Nightly Rate: $35

Rim Campground
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Itinerary

Day One

2 Guys & A Grill food truck. Credit: Google Reviews

Leave SF by 9 AM and grab lunch at 2 Guys and A Grill

  • Diners love their Mediterranean chicken, lamb, and veggie platters
  • Located at 1120 Churn Creek Road in Redding, CA
  • Open Mondays to Saturdays · 11 AM to 9 PM
  • Last pit stop · Chevron - 37300 Main Street in Burney

Check in and settle in at Rim Campground

  • Set up camp, wander around the campground, and relax

Hike Burney Falls Loop Trail

  • Walk a mile-long loop and enjoy Burney Falls at golden hour

Return to camp for dinner and s'mores

  • Prep dinner, s'mores, and enjoy an evening of drinking and stargazing
Burney Falls is named after Samuel Burney, who died in 1859. The McArthurs bought and later gifted the waterfall to the state in 1920.

Day Two

View of the top of Burney Falls
View of the top of Burney Falls. Credit: Karam Alani

Make brekkie, pack a picnic, and spend the day swimming in Lake Britton

  • Pack a daypack with lunch, snacks, sunscreen, sunhat, bug spray, and plenty of water
  • Hike 2 miles round-trip along Rim trail, which eventually merges with Burney Creek Trail, to spend the day swimming and lounging by Lake Britton
  • Enjoy the sun, water, and an afternoon picnic!
Lake Britton Marina
Lake Britton Marina

Rent a canoe, paddle boat, or kayak

  • Marina hours are Mon, Tue, Fri-Sun from 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Canoes are $25 per hour (up to 3 people)
  • Paddle boats are $25 per hour (up to 4 people)
  • Kayaks are $25 per hour (2 to 3 people)

Return to camp and unwind

  • Clean up, prep a delicious meal and warm up with your favorite hot bevvie
  • Roast up s'mores and soak up your last night in Burney Falls State Park!
The Ilmawi were the first group of people to live near the falls. Today, they're part of the Pit River Tribe.

Day Three

Burney Falls
Say bye to Burney Falls. Credit: Tucker Monticelli

Pack up and check out before noon

  • Cook up brekkie, clean up around camp, and throw away any random pieces of litter

Head home!

Burney Falls is one of the few known nesting sites for the Black Swift. You can often spot them soaring around the waterfalls
June 1, 2024

Bewilder at LAist Super-Fun Saturday

Make wildflower seed bombs with Bezzi the Yeti at LAist's Super Fun Saturday

Event in 2 days

Bewilder Basecamp: Spooky Wonders

Join Bezzi the Yeti on her first spooky camping adventure!

Shop curated gear

Everything your family needs for a fun and easy campout

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Bezzi's Pick
$399.95

NEMO 4-person Aurora Highrise Tent

This colorful tent can fit 4 to 6 people, and is easy to set up and pack out!

Bezzi's Pick
$249.95

NEMO Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair

Lean back, and we mean all the way back, in this luxurious camp chair. You'll never want to sit up.

Bezzi's Pick
$249.95

NEMO Roamer Self-Inflating Mattress

These are the cushiest sleeping pads we've tried! They come in Extra Wide and Double (for extra cuddles).

Bezzi's Pick
$99.95

Big Mo Toddler Sleeping Bag

A sleeping bag that's designed for toddlers from ages 18-36 months.

Bezzi's Pick
$139.95

Big Mo 20° Down Kids Sleeping Bag

A sleeping bag designed for kiddos age 2-4 years old

Bezzi's Pick
$42

First Peak All-Season Sweatshirt

A cozy sweatshirt for ages 6 months to 4T designed for outdoor exploration.

Bezzi's Pick
$38

First Peak Flannel

A durable and soft flannel shirt that's kid-sized from 6 months to 4T

Bezzi's Pick
$59.95

NEMO Fillo Luxury Camping Pillow

Bring your own or splurge on this pillow that's designed for outdoor fun.

Bezzi's Pick
$100

GCI Outdoor Slim Fold Cook Station

Picnic tables don't always cut it for cooking outside. This one is easy to use and has plenty of counter space.

Bezzi's Pick
$89.99

Coleman Pack-Away Cot

Elevate your sleep system (literally) with this heavy-ish but easy to set up cot.

Bezzi's Pick
$69.95

Kelty Lowdown Chair

It's sturdy, reliable, well-designed, and a tad pricier than most camp chairs, but it'll last for awhile.

Bezzi's Pick
$189.99

Camp Chef Everest 2 Burner Stove

A popular and reliable dual-burner camp stove that stays hot in windy conditions.

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Meal & snack ideas

It turns out everything tastes better when we're outside

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Dessert

S'mores

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Bezzi's Pick
Dinner

Mac n' cheese

Vegetarian

Bezzi's Pick
Snack

Lorissa's Kitchen Korean BBQ Steak Strips

Gluten Free

Bezzi's Pick
Snack

Solely Pineapple Coconut Fruit Jerky

Gluten Free · Vegan

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