The Refugio oil spill occurred just north of nearby Refugio State Beach in 2015 when a pipeline ruptured . The spill went into a culvert that ran under the U.S. 101 and into the ocean . The spill spread over including this park and Refugio State Beach . The parks were closed for much of the summer during the clean-up including the typically busy Memorial Day Weekend . The water system was destroyed in 2016 when the Sherpa Fire swept through a canyon near the main campgrounds . The park had already closed due to the smoke and fire danger
Refugio oil spill
Refugio oil spill
El Capitán State Beach