Mesmerizing NorCal waterfall, Burney Falls, becomes latest victim of crowds
(KRON) — Burney Falls is being loved to death. The waterfalls flowing in Northern California’s McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park are mesmerizing in beauty and surging in popularity among visitors. Swimmers brave enough to plunge into the waterfalls’ chilly 45-degree pool can even swim out to the falls.
Despite its remote location in NorCal’s wilderness, the natural wonder is far from being a hidden gem. Last summer, throngs of visitors numbering in the thousands treaded along hiking trails that lead to Burney Falls while the natural wonder was gushing from last winter’s record-breaking storms.
The trails were damaged by a heavy volume of visitors, erosion from storm damages, and by people who ventured into sensitive habitat off-trail, California State Parks officials said. On Friday, parks officials announced that the main trails that provide access to the 129-foot high waterfalls will be closed in April indefinitely.
The park typically experiences extremely high visitation beginning in April and continuing through October. But this year, no visitors will be welcomed in. The indefinite closures include Falls Loop Trail and Burney Creek Trail.
“Visitors will have no access to the waterfall or fall’s pool area with limited views from the viewing area at the top of the falls,” California State Parks officials wrote.
“The $835,000 project and trail closures are estimated to begin on April 1, pending weather conditions, and will remain in place for the duration of the 2024 summer season and most likely the fall season. The closure is to address critical repairs and improvements to the trails and natural slopes that have been impacted by high visitation and substantial use of these sensitive areas for foot access to the pool,” parks officials wrote.
“Additionally, if planning a trip to the area, please be aware that Caltrans will be performing a major Highway 89 rehabilitation project during the same period which will significantly add traffic congestion, delays, and intermittent traffic closures near the park entrance,” parks officials wrote.
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It is illegal to park along Highway 89 outside of the park for a mile in either direction.
State parks officials said Burney Falls is not the highest nor largest waterfall in California, but it’s “possibly the most beautiful.” Burney Creek originates from the park’s underground springs and flows to Lake Britton, getting larger along the way to the majestic falls and mist-filled basin.
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park’s landscape was created by volcanic activity. Created over 1 million years ago, layered volcanic rock retains rainwater and snow melt, which forms a large underground reservoir.
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