One Of California's Most Awe-Inspiring Waterfalls Is Hidden In A Little-Known State Park

While Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Fall steal all the attention, California is home to numerous breathtaking cascades ranging from tiny trickles tumbling through the forests to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. However, one of California's most spectacular waterfalls is tucked away in the under-visited northeastern part of the state, about an hour and 15 minutes outside Redding. 

Hidden in the Shasta region's McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park is a waterfall so spectacular that President Theodore Roosevelt once declared it "The Eighth Wonder of the World." Undoubtedly the park's main attraction, majestic Burney Falls cascades 129 feet down the basalt cliff face in a rush of white water joined by overflowing springs. Many waterfalls look much better in photos than in real life, but this is not the case with Burney Falls. Sunlight catches in mist rising from the roaring falls, creating rainbows over the surface of the pool and across the plunging water. 

Although not the tallest waterfall in the state (that honor goes to Yosemite Falls), Burney Falls receives a flow of over 100 million gallons of water per day, making it a natural marvel and one of the best-kept secret travel destinations in North America. Plus, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park is a top spot for hiking, family-friendly camping, fishing, and picnicking.

While many waterfalls in California are difficult to reach, Burney Falls is ADA-accessible via the 1.3-mile Burney Creek Trail. This flat path starts at the Lake Britton Beach parking lot before winding through the ponderosa pines and dropping visitors at the waterfall overlook. If you don't want to walk, you can view the falls from a lookout point next to the visitor's center, near the park entrance. 

Alternatively, you can take the Falls Loop Trail, which is 1.2 miles long and one of the most popular trails in the park. It starts at the overlook near the visitor's center, follows Burney Creek downstream, crosses the water, and continues upstream to the falls. You'll notice the temperate drops as you get closer to the falls, even on hot days. Completing your adventure, the trail continues past the falls before dropping you back at the visitor's center. The best time to visit Burney Falls is between April and October, when the snow has melted and the trails are ice-free. However, the weekends get quite busy, so we recommend choosing a weekday and avoiding holidays. 

McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park is home to a campground near Lake Britton that rivals the camp at this neighboring barely-visited outdoor-activity-packed California state park. Shaded by towering pines, Rim Campground is calm and relaxing, attracting families and people looking for a quiet getaway. Choose from 100 family campsites (non-hookup) with access to drinking water, hot showers, and clean flush toilets. Although many sites are "tent-only," some accommodate RVs up to 32 feet. Additionally, the campground offers 22 cabins, a campfire center, and a general store.

Only a short walk from camp, Lake Britton invites visitors to throw in a line from the accessible fishing pier. Expect to find rainbow trout year-round, as well as crappie, bass, and bluegill. With a sandy beach and calm waters, the lake is also an ideal place to cool off during the hot summer months. Although the most popular hikes lead to the falls, the park also boasts the Pioneer Cemetery Trail. This 1.6-mile loop follows a former wagon trail and is accessible to bikes and hikers. Keep in mind that it can get muddy during the spring and fall months.