Rim Campground sits at 2,800 feet elevation in McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, offering 128 sites for tent and RV camping plus cabin lodging. Sites run $14-43 per night and fill quickly during peak season. The campground provides direct access to Burney Falls trails and Lake Britton shoreline, with clean facilities that consistently earn praise from campers.
Rim Campground accommodates various camping preferences, including tent camping, RV camping, and cabins. It is known for its accessible features and proximity to Burney Falls.
Theodore Roosevelt called Burney Falls the eighth wonder of the world during a visit to the area. The Pit River Tribe has long held these waters as sacred, though specific sites and traditions aren't documented in available sources. A Pioneer Cemetery near the campground marks early settler graves from the 1800s, when homesteaders tried ranching and logging in this volcanic terrain. Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the best camping window. Daytime highs run 55-70°F, nights drop to 30-45°F, and crowds thin after Labor Day. The forest canopy shifts to rust and gold while fish feed actively before winter. Summer reaches 85°F on many afternoons, and July heat makes cabins uncomfortable without air circulation. Winter mornings hit 20°F with frost coating the pines. The park receives 28 inches of rain between November and March, keeping trails muddy and the falls at full force. Summer stays dry and golden, ideal for swimming but busy. Cooler fall mornings mean fewer mosquitoes and excellent light for photography at the falls.
ElevationAt 2,800 feet above sea level, Rim Campground occupies a sweet spot in the Sierra Nevada foothills where mountain air stays refreshingly cool even during summer's peak. This elevation creates an ideal microclimate—high enough to escape the valley's scorching heat, yet low enough to remain accessible year-round. The altitude enhances every sunrise and sunset, painting the sky in brilliant hues above the surrounding peaks.
Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a forested rim above Lake Britton, surrounded by ponderosa pine and incense cedar. Ancient volcanic basalt formations define the landscape. These porous lava flows, laid down over 200,000 years, now filter snowmelt through underground channels that feed Burney Falls year-round. The 129-foot waterfall pours over moss-covered cliffs into a boulder-strewn pool. Lake Britton spreads below the campground, its surface reflecting the volcanic ridges that frame the valley. Bald eagles hunt over the water. Mule deer move through the forest. The basalt cliffs and lava tubes visible from camp reveal layers of cooling magma, each formation marking a different eruption cycle in the Cascade Range's violent past.
Geological RegionDiscover a geological wonderland where the Cascade Range showcases 200,000 years of volcanic artistry. Ancient lava flows created the porous basalt formations that now feed Burney Falls its crystal-clear waters year-round. These unique volcanic layers act as nature's perfect aquifer, filtering snowmelt through countless underground channels before releasing it in spectacular fashion. Every rock formation tells the story of fire and ice, of molten earth cooling into the dramatic cliffs and mysterious lava tubes that make this region utterly unique.
Scenic ViewsMany campsites offer views of nearby forested areas and volcanic formations. Burney Falls provides stunning vistas with its cascading waters.
Lodging & AccommodationsTwo accessible cabins (#59 & #62) are available at Rim Campground, equipped with heat and two single beds but without electricity or running water. Outside, each cabin has a fire pit, picnic table, and tent space. User reviews highlight the cabins as clean and minimalistic, with one reviewer noting, "The cabins are empty spaces with a couple of bunk beds but with mats instead of mattresses. They are very clean."
Programs & ActivitiesHeritage Day is held annually on Columbus Day weekend, featuring demos and recreations of crafts from the late 1800s. Interpretive programs and summer campfire events are also available.