A remote Northern California waterfall has gotten so popular that reservations are required
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Sometimes, beauty is a burden.Such is the case with Burney Falls, a Northern California waterfall whose loveliness became such a siren song to costume-wearing Instagram mermaids, selfie-taking TikTok tour guides and off-the-beaten-track road trippers that crowds grew and grew, until the natural wonder just couldn’t handle it any more.Crowds in recent years have damaged trails, trampled plants and clogged rural roads.Now, as part of a pilot program to reduce overcrowding, the California Department of Parks and Recreation will require advance reservations to visit the Shasta County waterfall on many days this summer.
“Burney Falls is a crown jewel of the California State Park System, and we want all visitors to have an enjoyable and memorable experience when visiting this one-of-a-kind destination,” State Parks Director Armando Quintero said in a statement.“By allowing visitors to make a reservation in advance, we can help keep crowds manageable and not push the park’s resources past the breaking point.”The reservations, which can be purchased online, will be required to visit the falls Fridays through Sundays and on holidays during peak visitation season, from May 15 through Sept.
27.California Burney Falls is the latest geologic wonder to see an explosion in tourists because of social media posts.
The waterfall’s sudden Instagram fame has created a traffic nightmare on Highway 89 in Shasta County.On those days, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park will offer 103 parking passes for 8 a.m.to noon, an additional 103 passes for 1 p.m.
to 5 p.m., and 35 passes for the entire day.The day use passes will cost $11 per vehicle, according to State Parks, with discounts for seniors and people with disabilities.
California State Parks annual pass holders will pay no additional charge but must make reservations.Visitors with overnight campground or cabin reservations w...