Burney Falls Guide Before Visiting 2026 Updated

Burney Falls is a waterfall in Shasta County, California, about 8.9 miles north of Burney. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.

At a glance

Location

Shasta County, CA

Nearest town

Burney (8.9 mi)

Visitor rating

★★★★★ 4.8 from 1,774 reviews

Crowds

Very busy

Access

Short hike likely

Coordinates

41.01072, -121.65277

USGS topo

Burney Falls quad

Getting there

Burney Falls sits about 8.9 miles north of Burney in Shasta County. Navigate to the coordinates 41.01072, -121.65277, which mark the waterfall itself; the trailhead or parking area may be some distance away. Visitors reach it on foot by trail. Check the current trail map for distance and elevation before you go.

Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Burney Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.

California's falls are spread across national parks, national forests, state parks and county or regional open space, with a few on tribal land. In Yosemite and other heavily visited parks, the National Park Service has used vehicle reservation systems during busy periods in recent years, so checking current entry requirements before travel is wise. Many trailheads in Southern California fill early on weekends. The most serious hazards are swift, cold snowmelt and slick granite: people regularly die after slipping into rivers above waterfalls in the Sierra, especially in late spring. In the southern mountains and deserts, sudden storms can produce flash floods in narrow canyons, and summer heat makes midday hiking risky. Wildfire closures can also affect forest access in late summer and autumn.

What to bring

This checklist is tailored to Burney Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of California. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.

• Offline map and coordinates. Save 41.01072, -121.65277 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
• Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
• Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
• A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
• Camera and a small tripod. Visitors have shared 7,527 photos of it; a tripod lets you shoot silky water in low light.
• Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.

How to prepare

Timing

Timing depends on elevation. Low-elevation coastal and Southern California falls peak during and just after winter storms, typically January through April, and often fade by June. Sierra Nevada falls follow the snowpack: in Yosemite, flows usually build in April, peak in May and June, and decline through July, with some falls dry by late summer in an average year. Big snow years extend the season; drought years shorten it sharply. Spring-fed falls in Shasta and Siskiyou counties are the exception and are worthwhile in any season. High Sierra roads such as the Tioga Road and those to the eastern trailheads usually remain closed into late spring, and summer weekends bring heavy crowds to Yosemite Valley and other well-known sites. With 1,774 Google reviews, this is one of the most visited waterfalls in the area. Arrive early, ideally on a weekday, and expect parking to fill on summer weekends and holidays.

Safety

Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.

Respect the place

Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.

What visitors say

Burney Falls holds a 4.8-star average across 1,774 Google reviews, and 88% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the most reviewed waterfall in Shasta County. Visitors have shared 7,527 photos.

Well-known scenic waterfall accessible by hiking trails & surrounded by an overlook & greenery.

See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.

History of the area

According to the U.S. Geological Survey's naming record: Designated a National Natural Landmark in December 1984.

The federal gazetteer describes it this way: 129 feet high

Burney Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on January 19, 1981, and it appears on the USGS Burney Falls 7.5-minute topographic map.

Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Burney Creek (stream, 0.8 mi), Lake Britton (reservoir, 1.2 mi), Burney Spring Mountain (summit, 1.3 mi), and Powder Spur (ridge, 1.5 mi).

Shasta Cascade and the Klamath Mountains. Northern California's volcanic and mountain country accounts for more than 40 of the state's named falls. Burney Falls, the most reviewed waterfall in California in our directory, pours from spring outlets in porous lava as well as from its creek, giving it a steady flow even in late summer. Mossbrae Falls near Dunsmuir similarly emerges from springs beside the upper Sacramento River. Around McCloud, a series of falls on the McCloud River lies close to the road. West of Interstate 5, the Klamath and Trinity mountains near Happy Camp hold more remote falls on wild river tributaries, many reached only by forest roads.

Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip

Summary

Burney Falls about 8.9 miles north of Burney is rated 4.8 out of 5 by 1,774 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.

See the full Burney Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.