Overview
Burney is a town in the Shasta Cascades region of California.
4 sights · 1 places to eat · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Burney
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park
Burney Falls is so spectacular, it has been called the 'Eighth Wonder of the World'. It is a twin waterfall at Lake Britton that stands 129 feet tall. It is accessible by foot, motor vehicle, horseback, or boat. If you a…
Hat Creek Radio Observatory
The Hat Creek Radio Observatory is an Allen Telescope Array, looking for evidence of intelligent life beyond Earth. Tours are available. Cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off on site to avoid interf…
Crystal Lake Fish Hatchery
The activities here include fishing and boating in Baum Lake, hiking the nearby Pacific Crest Trail, picnicking, and simply watching the fish (or geese). You can go any time of the year.
Subway Cave
Subway Cave is the largest resulting lava tube from the former Hat Creek flow. There is a self-guided tour available if you want it. The temperature inside is very cold year-round, so bring a jacket. Also bring a good fl…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Summer highs reach about 100°F; winter lows dip to about 37°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Redding)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- RDD Redding Municipal Airport, Redding — 42 mi away. Directions
- MFR Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, Medford — 121 mi away. Directions
- RNO Reno Tahoe International Airport, Reno — 138 mi away (major hub). Directions
Take California State Highway 299 east from Redding. It is 53.1 miles from there.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, Crystal Lake Fish Hatchery
- Lunch Julio's Grill
- Afternoon Hat Creek Radio Observatory, Subway Cave
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Most restaurants in Burney are on Highway 299.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Take California State Highway 299 east from Redding. It is 53.1 miles from there.
By bus
RABA goes from Redding to Burney via a route called the Burney Express. It also stops in Round Mountain and Bella Vista.
Get around
Burney is small, so it is good to walk, bicycle, or drive a car to get around.
See
See McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park
Burney Falls is so spectacular, it has been called the 'Eighth Wonder of the World'. It is a twin waterfall at Lake Britton that stands 129 feet tall. It is accessible by foot, motor vehicle, horseback, or boat. If you are an avid hiker, the Pacific Crest Trail passes through the park.
See Subway Cave
Subway Cave is the largest resulting lava tube from the former Hat Creek flow. There is a self-guided tour available if you want it. The temperature inside is very cold year-round, so bring a jacket. Also bring a good flashlight, as most of the cave is completely dark. It is closed during winter.
See Crystal Lake Fish Hatchery
The activities here include fishing and boating in Baum Lake, hiking the nearby Pacific Crest Trail, picnicking, and simply watching the fish (or geese). You can go any time of the year.
Do
Fishing/Boating
Water sports are highly popular, yet very enjoyable in and around Burney.
Fishing
Check fishing reports often for best results. If you don't know where to find any, just ask the locals, who can help you as well.
=Hat Creek=
For: Excellent trout fishing.
How: Best for fly-fishing.
When: Last Saturday of April-November 15
Where: Stretches from Lassen Park to just above Lake Britton.
Disadvantage(s): No matter when you go, it will be very crowded.
More Info: http://www.troutsource.com/RiversFolder/Hat.htm
=Fall River=
For: Mostly trout.
How: Use floaters on this river.
When: Same as Hat Creek (see above).
Where: Starts near Big Lake and empties out at the Pit River in Fall River Mills.
Disadvantage(s): Very crowded. Also, be sure to bring a floater, as it is virtually impossible to not float this stream.
More Info: http://www.troutsource.com/RiversFolder/Fall.htm
=Lake Britton=
For: Trout, bass, and crappie.
How: Use bait or tackle.
When: Same as Hat Creek.
Where: Near Burney.
Disadvantage(s): Crowded due to the nearby Burney Falls.
More Info: Call (530) 335-2777.
=Baum Lake=
For: Mostly trout.
How: Fly fishing works well.
When: In the winter.
Where: Near Hat Creek, just outside of Burney.
Disadvantage(s): If you go in the winter, it will be very cold.
Boating
Boating in the Burney area is highly popular, but again, very rewarding. You can easily go fishing as well while boating for better results. Boating is virtually impossible on most of Hat Creek, but all other bodies of water listed above are available year-round for boating. Lake Baum is the least crowded.
Hiking
There are two groups of hiking trails near Burney: the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) and the group of other trails near Burney Falls.
PCT
The Pacific Crest Trail, after coming east out of Lassen, comes to the Burney area, and passes right by Burney Falls.
Other
There are three other trails: one goes down from the top of the falls, another (the shortest) goes to the base of the falls, and then there is the challenging Falls Loop Trail.
For more information about hiking in the Burney area, go to https://www.burneychamber.com/recreation.
Buy
Safeway, Ace Hardware, and several auto shops are all on the main road, Highway 299, through town.
Eat
Most restaurants in Burney are on Highway 299.
Eat Julio's Grill
Mexican food and hamburgers.
Sleep
Nearby
Montgomery Creek
City / town · 2 listings · 14 mi away
Fall River Mills
City / town · 6 listings · 15 mi away
Round Mountain
City / town · 15 mi away
Big Bend
City / town · 16 mi away
McArthur
City / town · 5 listings · 18 mi away
Shingletown
City / town · 3 listings · 28 mi away
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Park · 21 listings · 30 mi away
McCloud
City / town · 7 listings · 36 mi away
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