Best Campgrounds near Burney, CA
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park serves as the centerpiece of camping near Burney, California, offering tent sites, RV spaces, and rustic cabins within walking distance of the 129-foot waterfall. The surrounding area includes several established campgrounds like Northshore Campground along Lake Britton, Dusty Campground with lakefront sites, and Burney Falls Resort with glamping options. Many sites sit under pine and oak canopies, providing shade during hot summer months. Public lands in the region also support primitive camping with various amenities ranging from basic vault toilets to developed facilities with showers, particularly within state park boundaries.
Seasonal considerations affect camping availability throughout the Burney area, with many campgrounds operating only from April through October. PG&E-managed campgrounds along Lake Britton typically open for spring and summer seasons, while higher elevation sites may have shorter operating windows due to snow conditions. Temperatures can vary significantly between day and night, particularly in forested areas. Cell phone coverage is limited or nonexistent at most campgrounds, with many visitors noting complete dead zones at McArthur-Burney Falls State Park. A camper observed that "this is a cell dead zone - absolutely no Verizon service until you drove back to Burney."
Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the Burney area, with Lake Britton and several creeks providing fishing, swimming, and boating opportunities. Campers frequently mention the proximity to trails and natural features as highlights, with easy access to the Pacific Crest Trail from several campgrounds. While the McArthur-Burney Falls area attracts substantial day visitors, the campgrounds themselves maintain reasonable privacy and quiet, especially during weekdays. Tent campers appreciate the shaded sites under tall pines, while RV travelers should note that many older campgrounds have limited space for larger vehicles. According to one visitor, "It is a wonderfully shaded park and the sites are nicely separated. However, it is an older park and our 18-foot trailer was too large for many of the sites."
