Where are bonfires allowed at SLO County beaches? Know these rules

Looking to roast marshmallows at the beach?

Bonfires are banned in some areas of San Luis Obispo County, while other spots allow outdoor fires under certain regulations.

Before you stock up on firewood and buy ingredients for s’mores, learn where bonfires are permitted in the county.

Where are beach bonfires allowed in SLO County?

Pismo State Beach allows fires at select camping sites, according to California State Parks.

The North Beach Campground features facilities for tent camping and a campfire center, with access to the Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove.

“Visitors can access the beach from the campground and enjoy the views along Carpenter Creek,” State Parks said.

The Oceano Campground has both hook-up RV sites and tent camping sites.

In the summer, there’s a Campfire Program at the campfire center at the Oceano Campground. The program, held on Saturday nights, features interactive presentations about cultural topics and local wildlife.

Campfires are allowed the fire rings at standard campsites without hookups at Morro Strand State Beach.

Firewood is for sale at camp host sites since collecting dead or downed wood is prohibited.

In Morro Bay, campfires are allowed on the beach with permits from the city.

“Stay for the sunset to watch Morro Rock come alive with color, utilize one of the city’s fire pits overlooking the beach, and stargaze to the sound of the waves,” Visit Morro Bay said on its website.

What are rules for campfires at the Oceano Dunes?

Specific areas in the Oceano Dunes allow bonfires on the beach.

Outdoor fires are permitted south of Grand Avenue and within Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, as well as “between the shoreline and beach, to the western edge of the foredunes,” California State Parks says.

You can only burn wood and untreated wood products.

“Campfires, beach fires or recreational fires shall not be larger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height,” California State Parks said.

Bonfires are prohibited in these areas of the Oceano Dunes:

• North of Grand Avenue
• 50 feet around restrooms and picnic tables
• In vegetated dune areas including Pismo Dunes Natural Preserve and Oso Flaco Lake area

Campfires are allowed from 10 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the open use portion of Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, south of beach marker post No. 2, as long as you’ve registered and paid camping fees.

Which areas ban bonfires on the beach?

In Avila Beach, including Olde Port and Fisherman’s Beach, bonfires and barbecues are prohibited on the beach, according to the Port San Luis Harbor District.

These regulations are “in the best interest of the public’s health, safety and welfare, as well as protecting the sensitive and natural environment of the beach,” the port said.

Bonfires are also banned south of the pier in Cayucos.

All “open flames” are prohibited at Cayucos Landing, including candles, according to San Luis Obispo County Parks.

“All open burning, bonfires, warming fires and debris fires are prohibited” within the boundaries of Cambria, the Cambria Fire Department said.

That includes “open wood burning” in fire pits, commercially manufactured devices and on the beach, fire officials said.

Do any California State Parks campgrounds allow campfires?

In San Luis Obispo County, Estero Bluffs State Park north of Cayucos does not allow campfires

At Hearst San Simeon State Park, San Simeon Creek Campground and Washburn Campground allow campfires inside fire rings. You can buy firewood from the campground host.

At Montaña de Oro State Park near Los Osos, some areas allow campfires, but with restrictions.

Two of the state park’s campgrounds — Islay Creek Campground and Hazard Canyon Horse Camp — offer fire rings for visitors to light campfires.

Firewood is available for purchase from campground hosts.

Fires are not permitted at the Environmental Campsites at Montaña de Oro State Park.

Campsites at Morro Bay State Park has fire rings for campers and firewood for sale.

California State Parks’ new Buy It Where You Burn It program promotes keeping local ecosystems safe by buying and burning wood found in the area.

California State Parks said that pests and pathogens can live inside the wood.

“When wood is moved, pests can invade new areas, spreading disease or infesting forests,” state officials said.

This program is available at Montaña de Oro State Park and Morro Bay State Park.

Alexiah Syrai Olsen

The Tribune

805-781-7803

Alexiah Syrai Olsen is a service journalism reporter for The Tribune in San Luis Obispo, California. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and design from The New School in New York City.