McArthur-Burney launches May 15 reservations
- California State Parks said Friday it will start a pilot day-use reservation system at McArthur-Burney Falls on May 15 for summer weekend and holiday visits. - The pilot runs through Sept. 27 and caps advance vehicle entry at 241 daily passes — 103 morning, 103 afternoon, and 35 all-day. - Burney Falls has been routinely hitting capacity, so California is shifting another marquee park toward managed access instead of first-come gridlock.
McArthur-Burney Falls is one of those parks where the problem is obvious the minute summer crowds show up. Too many cars. Too many people arriving at once. Too much pressure on a small park built around a famous 129-foot waterfall. California State Parks is now changing the rules — starting Friday, May 15, day-use visitors will need reservations on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays through Sunday, Sept. 27. ### What exactly is changing? The new system is a pilot for day-use entry, not a full-time reservation requirement. Monday through Thursday stays open without a reservation during the summer window, and outside the May 15 to Sept. 27 period the park goes back to normal day-use access. The state says reservations can be made now through the Burney Falls page and ReserveCalifornia. Need one? You need a reservation if you’re driving in for day use on Friday through Sunday or on major summer holidays — specifically Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day. Same-day reservations will not be accepted, so this is a plan-ahead system, not a “book it from the parking lot” system. ### How many spots are there? There will be 103 passes for arrivals between 8 a.m. and noon, another 103 for 1 to 5 p.m., and 35 all-day passes. That adds up to 241 vehicle reservations per day, though the state says those quantities could be adjusted as it learns from the pilot. ### What does it cost? $1 processing fee. Senior and disabled discounts still apply if you qualify. Annual pass holders can still use their passes for entry, but they also have to reserve in advance on covered days. Basically, the reservation is now the gatekeeper, not just the payment. ### Who doesn't need one? Big exception. If you already have a campground or cabin reservation, your day-use access is included automatically. That matters because Burney Falls is both a sightseeing stop and a stay-the-weekend park, and the state clearly doesn’t want overnight visitors double-booking their way in. They’re pretty specific. The system is for passenger vehicles that fit in one standard parking space. Boats on trailers can come only with an advance reservation and must use the marina day-use lot after paying launch fees. Oversized vehicles, RVs, buses, and most trailers are barred during the reservation period, and tour buses or commercial groups need pre-approved permits. ### Why is the state doing this now? Because Burney Falls has become a capacity problem, not just a popular destination. The park has already been warning visitors that weekends from spring into fall often fill up, with traffic delays on Highway 89 and closures when parking runs out. The new system is meant to cut the long lines, illegal parking, overloaded facilities, and safety issues that come with that surge. ### Is this part of a bigger pattern? Yes. California State Parks has been pushing more reservation tools across the system, including tighter integration with ReserveCalifornia and expanded drawings for high-demand campgrounds. Burney Falls is a day-use version of the same basic idea — if a park is too popular for first-come access to work cleanly, the state would rather meter demand before cars stack up at the gate. ### Bottom line If you want to see Burney Falls this summer on a weekend or holiday, treat it like a timed-entry park now. The waterfall is the same. The spontaneous road trip is the part that just got harder.
