Added by TJ Orton
Burney Falls is an easy 0.3 mile hike. The cost is $8 per vehicle to enter the park and there are campsites available.
The Burney Falls centerpiece is a 129-foot drop to a deep pool of water down below. It's not the highest or largest waterfall in the state, but it's certainly one of the most beautiful.
The falls are located northeast of Redding, CA, six miles north of Highway 299 on Highway 89 near Burney.
Burney Falls is within the McArthur-Burney Falls State Park. It will cost $8 per vehicle to enter the park, but you can also camp here. Once you've arrived, it's a very quick hike straight downhill to the base of the falls—0.3 miles and you're there. Hiking the loop around the falls will add on about a mile.
If you want to photograph Burney Falls up close, know that the spray coming off the falls is pretty intense—make sure you have a towel available to wipe off the lens between your shots. Best time to shoot is sunrise, sunset, and at night. For slow shutter shots you want less light so the falls aren't blown out. Also adding a polarized filter to your lens will help the pictures turn out better.
Pack List
- Camera
- Tripod for slow shutter shots
- Wide angle lens (Canon 16-35 - 2.8 wide angle on a full frame Canon 6D)
- Polarized filter
- Trail shoes
- Warm jacket (mist from falls is cold)
- Waterproof gear if you plan on getting close to the falls
- Lunch
Reviews
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6 months ago
Coolest Waterfall!
Definitely one of the more unique waterfalls i've seen, If your in Northern California this is a must see!
about 1 year ago
GREAT PLACE! But it's not near Lake Tahoe like your readers think it is...
There are people out there pinning this site, and believing that Mc-Arthur Burney Falls is near (or at) Lake Tahoe. Anyone that is familiar with Northern California knows that it is just outside the sleepy, little town of Burney, CA - 4 hours northwest of Lake Tahoe. I was just up there a month ago camping with my family. We live in Chico, CA. Burney is in Lassen Volcanic National Park's backyard, and sits between Lassen Peak, and Mount Shasta. Please make this more clear to your readers so that no one gets disappointed when they can't find the beautiful falls that they are looking for when they visit Tahoe. Because there are a LOT of people on pinterest that can't wait to visit Lake Tahoe to see the amazing falls...IJS...I can't correct them all. lol (yes, I know you have a map with directions FROM Tahoe, but not many pay attention to that. Rather they only see the pretty pictures) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burney,_California
almost 2 years ago
I just camped by Burney Falls and it was amazing, the beautiful colors of autumn were already beaming but the weather was warm. I was surprised by how cool it was down by the water, the temperature change was almost instant!
over 2 years ago
Super easy hike with a Beautiful view of some amazing waterfalls! And I suggest you do not cross the fence for an epic photo, you will get yelled at by an official. I know from experience haha
Activities:
Chillin, Photography
Skill Level:
Beginner
Season:
Year Round
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