Burney Falls launches reservation system this summer

Burney Falls is getting a summer gatekeeper. Starting Friday, May 15, California State Parks will require advance day-use reservations for McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and major summer holidays. The point is simple — too many people have been showing up at once, and the park is trying to stop the crush before it hits the parking lots, trails, and viewing areas. ### What exactly is changing? This is a pilot program for summer 2026. It runs from May 15 through Sept. 27, and it only applies to day-use visits on weekends and holidays during peak season. Monday through Thursday stays open without a reservation, and the reservation system does not apply outside that summer window. Reservations opened May 1. ### Which holidays count? The park is specifically flagging Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day as reservation-required days during the summer period. So if you were thinking “I’ll just go on the holiday Monday instead of the weekend,” that workaround is basically gone. On those peak days, you need a reservation even if the calendar says weekday. ### How many cars are they letting in? The park is splitting entry into three buckets. There are 103 vehicle passes for 8 a.m. to noon, another 103 for 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 35 all-day passes. That adds up to 241 vehicle reservations per day under the pilot. California State Parks says those quantities could still be adjusted if the new system creates problems or needs tuning. ### What does it cost? A day-use reservation costs $10 per vehicle, plus a $1 processing fee. Senior and disabled discounts still apply if you qualify. Annual pass holders still need a reservation too — the pass gets you the entry benefit, but it does not replace the booking requirement. And same-day reservations are off the table, which is the big catch for spontaneous trips. ### Who doesn’t need a separate reservation? If you already have a campground or cabin reservation at Burney Falls, your day-use access is included automatically. You do not need to stack a second reservation on top of the overnight booking. That matters because the park is trying to control day-trip surges, not make overnight guests jump through two hoops. ### Are there vehicle limits? Yes — and they’re stricter than a lot of people will expect. The reservation is limited to one per vehicle per day, and the vehicle has to fit in one standard parking space. Passenger vehicles with boat trailers can come, but they need an advance reservation and have to use the marina day-use lot after paying launch fees. Oversized vehicles, RVs, buses, and most trailers are not allowed during the day-use reservation period, and tour buses or commercial groups need pre-approved permits. ### Why is the park doing this now? Burney Falls is one of California’s marquee waterfall stops — a 129-foot falls that draws huge summer crowds. State Parks says the reservation system is meant to ease pressure on infrastructure, protect park resources, and improve safety on the busiest days, when the park and nearby area can get overwhelmed. Basically, this is crowd control dressed as trip planning. ### So what should visitors do? If you want a weekend or holiday visit between May 15 and Sept. 27, plan ahead and book before you drive. If you want flexibility, the easiest move is a Monday-through-Thursday trip. That’s the real shift here — Burney Falls is still open, but the old “just show up” summer day trip is no longer the safe bet.