Cold Canyon Landfill

Cold Canyon Landfill is the big burial site for trash serving San Luis Obispo and nearby areas. Locals, haulers, and commercial trucks all use it when trash can't be handled curbside or recycled. It’s the place where garbage actually gets buried rather than processed further.

There’s a scale near the entrance and tipping fees are charged by weight, so expect to stop and be weighed on the way in and again on the way out. A small booth sits by the drive; traffic control and directions are handled from there, and commercial loads are accepted alongside residential drop-offs. The site is large - think steep dirt ramps, working machinery, and piles of cover soil - so follow the traffic flow and watch for heavy equipment. Recycling or organics drop-off areas are often separate from the main landfill face, so keep an eye out for signs as we move through the yard.