I am in a few hiking groups on Facebook because we enjoy getting out and enjoying nature outside of the hot summer months. I had seen McArthur-Burney Falls posted several times, and it always made my heart skip a beat. I needed to know if it was truly as beautiful as it looked in the photos; the problem was that McCarthur-Burney Falls is four hours from where we live. When the opportunity arose for us to make a trip to Oregon, I immediately added McArthur-Burney Falls as a stop on our way home.
It was pretty warm that day, especially after being on the Oregon Coast for several days prior, so we were a bit hesitant as we pulled up to the guard shack to pay the parking fee. Hot Hubby asked how long the hike was, and we were pleasantly surprised that it was, in fact, quite short. We parked and walked several hundred feet to the trailhead, where you can hear the sound of the water cascading down. The photos did not lie. It is truly a breathtaking sight to see in person; I will admit we stood at the top of the trail, a bit starstruck as people continually passed us by. As we made our way down the path, which is easy and perfect for people of all skill levels, we could not stop looking at the incredible display it changed from every angle. At the bottom, it’s a bit dicey as you have to weave your way over rocks, but still a small price to pay. Make sure you are paying attention; the critters in the area are not people shy, so they come out and say hello! Just don’t step on them or feed them human food.
Once we got to the bottom, we were treated with the full effect of the falls from the deafening crash of water into the pull below to the crystal blue and aqua all around us. Each person had their own moment with this incredible vision before us, some taking photos, others swimming in the pools, people reading, writing, and picnicking. My only regret is that we did not plan on staying a little longer, so we didn’t have to rush. I would have loved to take a dip in the cool water or taken a short swim to the base of the falls. The day we went, the general market was closed, but some restrooms were open. Camping is available, but note that there are very few options for dining and lodging around the falls; we ended up driving into reading for lunch. Next time I will plan a little longer stay so we can enjoy more of the park, falls, and the beautiful hiking trails surrounding them.
