Campgrounds and RV parks near Burney, CA

The headline attraction is Burney Falls itself, viewable from an overlook near the parking area or on a short loop trail to the base. The 910-acre park also includes Lake Britton, with outdoor activities including canoeing, kayaking, swimming, photography, hiking, horseback riding, windsurfing, picnicking and wildlife viewing. The Pacific Crest Trail runs through the park, giving long-distance hikers and day walkers easy access. Fly fishing is a defining activity in the surrounding valley. The area is especially popular for fly fishing in Hat Creek and in nearby Crystal Lake and Baum Lake. Lassen Volcanic National Park lies about an hour south for visitors interested in hydrothermal features, and the Subway Cave lava tube near Old Station is a popular short side trip.

Burney has a clear high-season camping window from late spring through early fall. Most campsites at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park are reservable late May through late September and first-come, first-served other times of the year. Summer weekends and holidays at the state park are the busiest, and the park has added day-use reservation requirements during peak visitation to manage crowding at the falls. Shoulder seasons in May and September often bring milder temperatures and more availability, though nights can be cold given the elevation. Winter brings snow and freezing overnight lows, and many private RV parks reduce services or close during the coldest months. Cassel Campground remains open year-round, offering a diverse experience across different seasons, though winter campers should expect basic facilities and prepare for cold conditions. Spring runoff makes the waterfall and creeks especially dramatic, and fall offers cooler hiking weather with fewer visitors.

Expect a mix of forested state park sites, creekside PG&E sites, and full-service private RV parks. Amenities at the state park include potable water, flush toilets, hot-water showers, trash collection, a dump station, amphitheater, visitor center, camp store, picnic areas, hiking and biking trails. The park cannot admit vehicles over 32 feet for day-use or camping, and only a limited number of oversized vehicles under 32 feet are admitted. Cassel offers no hookups and no showers, with vault toilets, while Hat Creek Hereford Ranch RV Park provides full hook-ups, grassy tent sites, and restroom facilities with hot showers. Nights are cool at this elevation even in summer, and afternoon thunderstorms are possible.