Yosemite Forum

Are alcohol stoves banned in certain parts of California? Separately, isn't denatured alcohol banned in all of California? Thanks!

No, denatured alcohol is not banned here. It's paint thinner. You can find it in any hardware store.

Alcohol stoves do not have a valve with which to turn them on and off, so some jurisdictions do not allow them, consider them the same as an open flame. The national parks do not ban them. Sierra National Forest does. So if there is a campfire ban, they aren't allowed in Sierra NF, if fires are allowed the alcohol stove is fine there as well.

Wood stoves, on the other hand, aren't allowed in National Parks where campfires are banned - above or below certain elevations. See specific park rules....

And this year, no campfires are allowed in the Yosemite backcountry anywhere at all, by the way.

is this still accurate regarding alcohol stoves? have a trip planned this weekend.

The park doesn't ban alcohol stoves.

However, the status of denatured alcohol has changed, it's been banned and can't be found in stores in California since the last post. Everclear isn't sold here either. Yellow bottle HEET is still available I believe, at hardware stores.

okay thank you. i just called and spoke with the wilderness ranger and she said she did not know. i panicked and ordered a pocket rocket and fuel can to pick up in san fran. id rather just use my alcohol stove.