Located 60 miles northeast of Redding, California, Burney Falls is truly one of the most magnificent natural features of North America. The 129-foot waterfall is the main attraction of Arthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park and when Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of The United States, laid eyes on it he dubbed it “the eighth wonder of the world.”
100 million gallons of water flow over the mossy ledge of the falls everyday which is partially spring fed so it never goes completely dry. Black swifts nest in the cliff behind the falls and rare bald eagle nests of bald eagles can be seen along the shore line of Lake Britton.
Visiting the falls involves a short hike the main overlook and visitors may have to raise their voices to communicate as water booms over the edge and splashes down its fern strewn face. Visitors should be warned that the pool below never goes much above 42 degrees and is not suitable for swimming.
When Is It Best To Visit
Burney Falls is worth checking out anytime of year but want to see the falls at their fullest intensity plan on visiting in the springtime when the snowmelt is at its peak.
Related: Kayaker Paddles Over The Steepest Rideable Waterfall Section In The World
About Arthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park:
The park is within the Cascade Range and Modoc Plateau natural region, with forest and five miles of streamside and lake shoreline, including a portion of Lake Britton.
The park’s centerpiece is the 129-foot Burney Falls, which is not the highest or largest waterfall in the state, but possibly the most beautiful. Additional water comes from springs, joining to create a mist-filled basin. Burney Creek originates from the park’s underground springs and flows to Lake Britton, getting larger along the way to the majestic falls.
The park’s landscape was created by volcanic activity as well as erosion from weather and streams. This volcanic region is surrounded by mountain peaks and is covered by black volcanic rock, or basalt. Created over a million years ago, the layered, porous basalt retains rainwater and snow melt, which forms a large underground reservoir.
Within the park, the water emerges as springs at and above Burney Falls, where it flows at 100 million gallons every day.
Burney Falls was named after pioneer settler Samuel Burney who lived in the area in the 1850s. The McArthurs were pioneer settlers who arrived in the late 1800s. Descendants were responsible for saving the waterfall and nearby land from development. They bought the property and gave it to the state as a gift in the 1920s.
