Which beach-fire permit do you need?
You need the permit for the agency managing the exact fire location, not simply the town on your cottage address. Truro's town beaches and the National Seashore have different systems. At Head of the Meadow, clarify the town versus NPS area; Coast Guard Beach in Truro is not Coast Guard Beach in Eastham.
Choose the location before buying wood or inviting the group. A parking sticker does not authorize a fire, and a fire permit does not authorize driving on the sand.
How do Truro town beach fires work?
Apply through the town's beach-fire page on the day of the fire, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The rules checked September 23, 2026 list $10, non-refundable, for residents or people staying in Truro with verification. One permit per person per Sunday–Saturday week is allowed.
The town lists Ballston, Beach Point, Coast Guard, Corn Hill, Fisher, Head of the Meadow and Noons Landing, with limited allocations. Fires are permitted 6 p.m.–midnight, on the town-managed portion only. These are small cooking fires, not bonfires; the town specifies size and setback limits in the permit rules.
The permit holder must attend with identification. Use clean wood, never leave the fire unattended, extinguish with water, not sand, and leave no debris. Glass is prohibited. Weather or officials can revoke permission.
For questions, the town lists 508-487-6983 in season and 508-487-7548 off season. Use the beach-fire application link, not the separate open-burning portal. Read the complete rules before applying.
How do National Seashore fire permits work?
NPS campfire permits are free, limited, and reservable up to three days ahead, starting at 9 a.m. In-person requests have priority over telephone requests. For Race Point, Herring Cove and NPS Head of the Meadow, contact Province Lands Visitor Center; for Eastham's Coast Guard and Nauset Light or Wellfleet's Marconi, use Salt Pond Visitor Center. ORV fire permits are handled by the Oversand Station. NPS reservation instructions.
Have the attending adult's vehicle plate, local address, contact number and group size ready. NPS requires fires out by 11:30 p.m. and prohibits portable fire pits. Follow the assigned location, size and group limits; weather, tides and wildlife restrictions can change the plan. Pet access must be checked separately.
What should your cottage group plan beforehand?
Plan the reservation, the return trip and cleanup before inviting the group:
- Choose the responsible adult. Assign the reservation and cleanup, and save the issued permit.
- Plan access after dark. Work out lawful parking and the return walk.
- Pack for extinguishing and cleanup. Bring allowed fuel, water, a suitable bucket, a flashlight and bags for carrying everything out. Read the permit before packing cooking equipment.
Keep dinner flexible until permission is confirmed. A beach fire is a weather-dependent outing, not something to guarantee simply because the forecast looked good when you booked the cottage. If the plan falls through, the food and takeout guide gives alternatives.
