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Our Mission

The mission of the California Department of


McArthur-Burney Parks and Recreation is to provide for the
health, inspiration and education of the

Falls Memorial people of California by helping to preserve


the state’s extraordinary biological diversity,
protecting its most valued natural and
On a visit to the falls,
State Park cultural resources, and creating opportunities
for high-quality outdoor recreation.
an enthralled President
Theodore Roosevelt
pronounced them one of
the wonders of the world.

California State Parks supports equal access.


Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who
need assistance should contact the park at
the phone number below. To receive this
publication in an alternate format, write to
the Communications Office at the following
address.

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS


P. O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001
For information call: (800) 777-0369
(916) 653-6995, outside the U.S.
711, TTY relay service
www.parks.ca.govv
Discover the many states of California.™

McArthur-Burney Falls
Memorial State Park
24898 Hwy. 89
Burney, CA 96013
(530) 335-2777
© 2005 California State Parks (rev. 9/2007) Printed on Recycled Paper
H igh on the eastern boundary of the
Cascade Range, McArthur-Burney Falls
winter to 80 degrees or more during the drier
summer months. Between November and
herbs and mosses.
Winter villages,
Memorial State Park sits on the western March, rainfall averages nearly 28 inches, with which might
Modoc plateau halfway between Mount December and January being the wettest. be used for as
Shasta and Lassen Peak. The falls’ two main Layered clothing is advised. much as six
cataracts of plunging white water originate months, often
PARK HISTORY
from Burney Creek, a tributary of the Pit consisted of bark
For thousands of years, several native groups
River. Across the basalt face of the cliff, houses or partly
lived here. The earliest known residents,
thousands of rivulets issue through the subterranean
the Ilmawi people, looked upon the falls as a
porous rock from five underground aquifers lodges. In warmer
sacred place. Though there is little evidence
fed by rain and snowmelt, giving the falls a weather the people
of their presence left in the park, it is known
feathery, enchanted appearance. occupied Pit River Indian Women
that they shared the abundance of this area
On sunny days the mist above the basin of houses built (Achumawi Tribe) ca. 1880,
with other native groups.
blue water at the bottom of the falls is often of brush and James F. Morehead, photographer.
Two major subgroups of the people now Image courtesy of the Meriam
alight with rainbow colors. In the fall the other light
known as the Pit River Nation—the Atsugewi Library, CSU Chico
pool reflects the rich colors of autumn leaves, materials.
and the Achumawi— shared a similar culture.
while winter often brings a lacy array of tiny Burney Falls
The name “Pit” refers to a hunting method in
icicles to decorate the face of the cliff. On and the sapphire pool at its base are still
which the hunters dug deep pits to trap such
a visit to the falls, an enthralled President important to the Pit River people.
large game animals as antelope, deer and the
Theodore Roosevelt pronounced them one Non-Indian encroachment into this
occasional elk. Salmon and trout were a vital
of the wonders of the world. peaceful place began as early as the 1820s
part of the native people’s diet. Small game
The climate in this area 65 miles east of and ’30s, with the influx of fur trappers.
included squirrels, rabbits, ducks, geese,
Redding is In 1843 New Jersey native Pierson B.
sage hens
dictated by its Reading, destined to become a leading
and quail.
predominantly citizen of Shasta County, described the
The land also
mountainous falls in his diary. After the 1846 Treaty of
provided an
topography. Guadalupe Hidalgo, the native people’s
abundance
The park’s claims on the land were totally ignored.
of acorns,
highest By the mid-1850s, European and American
bulbs, tubers,
elevation settlers were homesteading their lands.
seeds and
is nearly Though the native groups tried to
grasses, while
3,100 feet. fight for their rights, their attempts
medicinal
Temperatures brought about the vengeful destruction
needs were
range from by European-Americans of a totally
served by
average lows of blameless village along Beaver Creek.
various trees,
20 degrees in In 1857 the U.S. Army established Fort
Drawing of Shaste Peak by Charles Wilkes
Image courtesy of the Meriam Library, CSU Chico
Crook as a peacekeeping presence, John and Catherine
attracting even more European-American McArthur arrived in the 1860s,
settlers. By the time Fort Crook closed purchased thousands of acres,
in 1867, those Indians who had not died and opened a mercantile
from European-borne diseases, or been store in the area. In 1917
moved to the Round Valley Reservation in the newly formed Pacific Gas
Mendocino County, were eking out a scarce and Electric Company began
living as day laborers. buying up land and water rights in the area.
Burney Falls was named after Samuel Alarmed residents became concerned that

Photos courtesy of Inn-California.com


Burney, a drifter from South Carolina who PG&E, in the interests of providing more
arrived in the area in November 1858. hydroelectric power, might dam the Pit
The following spring Burney was acting as River and destroy Burney Falls. Frank and
caretaker for Brook Farm, the property of Scott McArthur, sons of John and Catherine,
Thomas Preadmore, whose treatment of purchased 160 acres surrounding the falls,
Indian women had sparked anger among and in 1920 they deeded the property to the
their people. In Preadmore’s absence State Board of Forestry, requesting only that
a group of Indians came looking for re- it be named for their parents.
venge, and the unfortunate Burney paid Over time several family farms and the
for Preadmore’s actions with his life. Over small settlement of Peck’s Bridge sprang Upper Burney Creek is a popular destination
time a number of local features came to be up along the Pit River near the falls. Early for anglers.
named after the luckless wanderer. pioneer Isaac Ray established a short-lived
lumber mill above the falls, but as the earth’s crust moved. Beneath the
volcanic rock formations, a chalky white
the area’s remoteness lasted
substance—diatomaceous earth—was
well into the 1900s. A short hike
formed when microscopic plants sank to
to the Pioneer Cemetery will
the bottom of an ancient sea floor. It is
bear witness to the beginnings
believed that some of the oldest rocks
of some of the historic names
in the area may date back as much as
associated with this part of
26 million years. Year round about 100
California.
million gallons a day of clear, cold water
NATURAL HISTORY flow over the ancient, craggy rock face of
Though the proximity of two the falls.
inactive volcanoes suggests Typical of the rugged, undeveloped
the origins of the area around northeastern part of California, wildlife
Burney Falls, this terrain is here is abundant. Such spectacles as
actually the result of molten lava migratory black swifts darting in and out
that came up from underground of the falls to feed their nestlings, or the

Talus slope near the falls pool


once-endangered bald eagle soar- Wet meadow habitat occurs in Pacific Crest Trail passes through the
ing high overhead are guaranteed any area where the soil becomes park.
to thrill the eye. The park’s selec- incapable of absorbing water. The Burney Creek Trail—This backcountry
tion as a viewing site for the Watch- plants that grow here consist mostly trail through a forest of ponderosa pine,
able Wildlife program is a testa- of grasses and herbs. Until the land Douglas fir, incense cedar and a variety
ment to its variety of habitats and dries enough to accommodate the of oaks leads to the falls.
wildlife. small rodents that attract such rap- Pioneer Cemetery Trail—This hiking,
A vibrant mix of coniferous for- tors as red-tailed hawks and north- dog-walking and bike-riding trail fol-
est—including ponderosa pine ern harriers, it is primarily occupied lows a historic wagon trail to the Pioneer
and, along Burney Creek, Douglas by insects. Cemetery.
fir—provides habitat for such wild- Burney Creek represents riparian Fishing
life as western fence lizards, Pacific habitat, a significant resource that At Burney Creek brook and rainbow
tree frogs, various woodpeckers, attracts American dippers, western trout are abundant in October, after the
bald eagles and a variety of small pond turtles, Pacific tree frogs, non- summer camping season slows down.
mammals. native bullfrogs, river otters and At Lake Britton trout, bass, bluegill and
A mixed hardwood forest— beavers. crappie give anglers a good, sporting
predominantly California black workout. Lake Britton is easily reached
RECREATION
oak and Oregon white oak—and via the Burney Creek Trail or by vehicle.
Photos courtesy of Inn-California.com

Though the park is open year round,


chaparral are home to a wealth Special Events
its heaviest visitation takes place
of mammals, including California Heritage Day takes place on the Sunday
during summer. Spring and fall,
ground squirrels, porcupines, of Columbus Day weekend, and features
when the weather is often quite en-
coyotes, gray foxes and the demonstrations and recreations of typi-
joyable and the park is less crowd-
occasional mountain lion. cal activities and crafts of the late 1800s.
ed, are excellent times to visit.
Numerous bird species, such as
pileated woodpeckers, chestnut- Camping
backed chickadees, peregrine The park has 128 family
falcons, ospreys and non-native European sites (no hookups) and seven
starlings thrive here. primitive sites. A sanitation station is
Montane chaparral is primarily a shrubby located near campsite 93. You may
habitat, vital to mountain lions on the hunt, make camping reservations up to
since it also provides cover for mule deer, the seven months or as few as 48 hours
lion’s favorite prey. Small mammals include before you wish to arrive by calling
the brush rabbits and black-tailed jackrabbits (800) 444-PARK (7275).
that feed on chaparral, and various insects Hiking
and birds that eat its seeds. This dry habitat Five miles of hiking trails wind
has few reptile species. through evergreen forests, and the

Sailboats on Lake Britton


Accessible Features
The park offers a great many accessible
activities. Viewing the majesty of Burney
Falls is accessible to all. A small visitor center

Photo courtesy of Inn-California.com


is accessible. Car-camping, including some
RV sites with hookups, tent sites, and more
primitive walk-in camping are accessible.
Heated cabin camping is also accessible.
Accessible picnicking and trails are available
at various locations. The Lake Britton marina
has beach wheelchairs and an accessible
fishing pier. Many locations have accessible
restrooms and restrooms with showers.
Accessibility is continually improving. For
current details, call the park, or visit http:// Accessible cabin
access.parks.ca.gov.
Peaceful park trail NEARBY STATE PARKS This park is supported in part by a nonprofit
• Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park, organization. For more information contact:
CABINS 3.5 mi. N of McArthur, (530) 335-2777 McArthur-Burney Falls Interpretive Association
Nestled within the 128 campsites you will find • Castle Crags State Park, 6 mi. S of P.O. Box 777 • Burney, CA 96013 •
24 one- and two-room cabins within walking Dunsmuir on I-5, (530) 235-2684 (530) 335-2777
distance of the falls and the camp store. Each
of these cabins is well-insulated against chilly
nights, and is equipped with propane heaters,
platform bunk beds with foam pads, wood
floors, and covered porches.
Cabins, which are offered in two sizes, 18
feet and 24 feet, come with a fire ring for
campfires, outdoor table, and space to pitch a
tent outside. All rental cabins are a short walk
from a restroom with flush toilets and showers.
All you need to bring are some sleeping bags
and a battery-powered lantern or two (the
cabins have no electricity or running water).
Reservations for the cabins can be made by
calling (800) 444-PARK (7275).
Rainbow Footbridge
PLEASE REMEMBER
• It is important for anglers to call the park for the most
current fishing regulations before they visit.
• Motorized scooters are not allowed in the park.
• Horses are allowed on the Pacific Crest Trail only.
• Dogs must be on leash (no more than six feet long)
at all times and in a tent or vehicle at night. They are
permitted on the Pioneer Cemetery Trail and the Old
Rim Camp Road, but not on any other trails or on the
swim beach.

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