Burney Falls — cliff jumping spot in Burney, California
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Burney Falls

Burney, California
Photo: Dvortygirl / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

About this spot

Burney Falls, in McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park near Burney, CA (via CA-299 E then CA-89 N, about 6 miles from town), is one of California's most photographed waterfalls, fed partly by underground springs. Swimming and jumping in the falls' own plunge pool are prohibited: the water holds a constant, dangerously cold roughly 42°F year-round, and currents near the base have caused drownings. For swimming, the park directs visitors to the designated beach at Lake Britton within the park, which also has casual rock-jumping spots away from the falls. Standard state-park day-use fees apply; the loop trail and viewpoints around the falls stay open, but the pool at the base is off-limits.

Safety first. Cliff jumping is inherently dangerous and can cause serious injury or death. Conditions — water depth, submerged hazards, and access — change constantly. CliffScout is community-sourced reference information, not a guarantee a spot is safe. Always assess the conditions yourself before jumping, and never jump where you're unsure. You assume all risk.

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