McArthur-Burney Falls State Park - Burney, CA

September 9-11, 2011 & September 7-9, 2012

I'm a little behind on this post (as well as so many others) since this year marked my second trip to McArthur-Burney Falls State Park. A few years ago my parents and Katie's parents started the tradition of camping at Burney Falls the weekend after Labor Day, which has since turned into a two week trip for them.  Last year was the first time some of us "kids" were able to join them; just three of us that year - Katie, Patrick, and I. For some reason after that trip the parents came up with the rule that "children are only allowed to visit on one weekend."  I'm not sure why we're limited...I mean we're a TON of fun! This year the group expanded a bit and Patrick's dad joined the adults for about a week and Vicki, Kelly, and Ashley came along for the weekend.  We had to leave Patrick at home this year because he had school, Diana had to work, and my Brother and his family are dealing with an upcoming move to Mississippi, so we missed them all.  But since it's likely you don't know any of these people, I'll stop rambling about them.

Burney Falls State Park is a great campground. The campsites are pretty big - we reserve two adjacent ones and have a screen room, canopied "kitchen", campfire ring, two tents, and room to spare. The moms even set up a little solar light path to the road for nighttime bathroom trips. And speaking of bathrooms, they're so clean! Like barely any bugs even clean. As are the coin-operated showers. It feels a little bit like luxury camping sometimes. There's also a nice little visitor's center, which word on the street is getting a makeover soon, and a general store with delicious soft serve ice cream. The best part is that it's quiet when we're there and very uncrowded. I feel like I'm giving away a secret, but it's such a great time to be there!

But of course the showstopper are the falls. Beautiful! And they're so easy to get to; right near the entrance with a short path that leads to a great viewpoint. Then there's also a trail that leads down to a bridge and then back up above the falls to another bridge. Or you can branch off and head down towards Lake Britton, or to Canada or Mexico. No lie - the Pacific Coast Trail runs right through the park.  As for the lake, it's gorgeous! Especially in the morning in a kayak. My dad has a friend who lives in the area and he took some of us out in his kayaks on Friday and Sunday. We paddled over to the opposite side of the lake and took a short hike to a secluded little waterfall. I can just imagine packing a picnic and spending an afternoon there. The only challenge would be getting back across the lake, which was a little bit more difficult than the paddle there once the wind picked up a bit. This year some of us also took a short hike to the cemetery. There were a few old headstones, but Kay thinks there were more before and that they may have taken some out and replaced it with a large memorial headstone at the entrance. I think there's probably even more trails in the park, but since we are only allowed to visit on the weekends, and usually take a day trip out of the park (Lassen National Park this year, McCloud Falls last year), I'm not sure what they are. I guess I'll just have to keep going back to explore!

2011

[PICTURES COMING SOON]

2012

 Lake Britton

Morning kayaking

Falls across the lake

Burney Falls Cemetery