Burney Falls Closing in 2024 (+ Where You Can Go Instead)

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Burney Falls, the 129-foot tall behemoth that attracts thousands of visitors annually, is slated to partially close this year due to extensive damage done to the trail leading to the falls.

According to the California Parks and Recreation website, the closure is set to begin in early April and will continue throughout the entire summer season, currently with an unknown end date.

After experiencing massive social media exposure in the early 2010’s, Burney Falls began seeing visitation numbers well above 250,000 people annually when before, it would see maybe half of that number, which is what the park was originally designed to handle.

This influx of visitation, in addition to typical weather erosion, has caused significant damage to the main trail leading to the falls’ pool and the pool area itself.

To get all the information you’ll need to visit Burney Falls when it’s fully open, read my comprehensive guide here.

Damage to Burney Falls and Project Details

In a recent interview with SF Gate, Aaron Write, public safety chief for the parks system Northern District, stated, “Its erosion issues (was) most likely caused by people using the trails not as they were intended”.

In other words, some people just can’t stay on the designated path, feeling the need to create their own shortcuts, causing unnecessary and costly damage to the trail.

Due to this, the main trail leading to the trails and the pool area itself will undergo significant repairs, thus, requiring a partial closure of the park.

I called the park and spoke with a ranger about the areas that’ll be affected and which areas, if any, would still be accessible to the public. These are the answers I received:

• The trail leading to the pools, the pool itself and the scenic loop will be closed

• Visitors WILL still be able to view the falls from the upper viewing deck (day-use fees still apply)

• The visitor center and campground will remain open

• During the closure, the Burney Falls Loop Trail will be repaved and see the addition of a retaining wall

• There isn’t a set-in-stone end date, but the goal is to be finished by late September

The ranger I spoke with didn’t have information as to if the viewing area around the pools of Burney Falls would see an expansion. All she could confirm was the trail itself.

In addition the park project, Caltrans will be conducting their own major project on Highway 89, which leads to the park’s entrance. So if you’re planning to visit the park anyway, prepare yourself for delays.

Where You Can Go Instead

While Burney Falls is and always has been the main attraction in the area, there are many other things to see in and near the small town of Burney.

Two other attractions in the town of Burney that are worth checking out are Subway Cave and the Stand By Me Bridge. The former is an easily accessible lava tube you can tour, while the former is a historic bridge featured in the classic film of the same name.

If you’re keen on seeing waterfalls, there are others nearby. While they may not hold the same gravitas as Burney does, they’re beautiful nonetheless. A few that come to mind include:

• McCloud Falls

• Hedge Creek Falls

• Mossbrea Falls

My personal favorite (aside from Burney Falls, that is) is McCloud Falls. McCloud is a series of three beautiful waterfalls that run along this scenic stretch of the McCloud River.

You can hike the 3.9-mile, out and back, fairly easy going trail which connects the three falls. If you’re short on time, you can opt to drive to them as they each have their own parking lots and aside from the middle falls, require no effort to reach.

Further past McCloud Falls in the town of Dunsmuir is Hedge Creek Falls, a much smaller, albeit gorgeous waterfall located just a short hike from the parking area.

These are just a handful of things to see and do in Burney. While it’s definitely disappointing that Burney Falls has to close, she definitely deserves and will benefit from this break. It shouldn’t stop you from visiting the area as it has so much more to offer you.

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