Kirk Creek Campground
Kirk Creek Campground is an oceanside paradise, with each site overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It offers a variety of opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The campground is located on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and is close to a variety of scenic trails that lead visitors into the Los Padres National Forest.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 32 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 56 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
32 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 46 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | |
| 002 | Back-in | 41 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | |
| 003 | Back-in | 43 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | |
| 004 | Back-in | 46 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | ||
| 005 | Back-in | 37 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | |
| 006 | Back-in | 48 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | ||
| 007 | Back-in | 46 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | ||
| 008 | Back-in | 43 | Gravel | Oceanfront | 8 / 2 | |
| 009 | Back-in | 53 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | ||
| 010 | Back-in | 38 | Gravel | 8 / 2 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 56 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Fees | 6 PEOPLE 1 VEHICLE |
The campground offers single-family sites for tent and RV camping. Utility hookups are not available and parking surfaces within the campground are gravel and grass. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Vault toilets are provided throughout the campground.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Los Padres National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations: recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777. Reservations need to be made 3 or more days in advance. This is a very popular campground and making reservations well in advance is recommended. |
| Fees | $45.00 per night, per site. Sites accommodate 6-8 people and 2 vehicles allowed per site. Interagency Senior Pass or Access Pass entitles pass holder to 50% discount on camping fee only. Not valid for extra vehicles or day use within campground. |
| Rules | 14 day maximum stay. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Hwy 1 is TEMPORARILY CLOSED from the Monterey area. From San Luis Obispo, take Highway 1 north for approximately 60 miles to the campground.
| Coordinates | 35.9917° N, 121.4942° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireTimber
20 mi from the campground · 25,350 acres · 97% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 25.8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | The Treadmill ↗ | 44.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | California RV Outlets ↗ | 56 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Kirk Creek Campground Review
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miKirk Creek ↗5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miKirk Creek Campground0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miMill Creek0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.6 miVicente Flat Camp0.08 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 3.1 miStone Ridge ↗9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.2 miSan Antonio4.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Ventana Wilderness begins about 4.3 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 4.3 miVentana Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 236,726 acres
- 8.9 miSilver Peak Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 31,415 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Milpitas RanchhouseBuilding · King City · 14.1 mi
Natural features
The campground is located on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, at an elevation of about 100 feet. It offers fantastic views of the Big Sur coastline. Campsites are spacious, open and grassy. Each site has a view of the ocean, where sunrises and sunsets are outstanding. Wildlife in the area includes fox, bobcat, deer and raccoon. Mountain lions and bears are occasionally seen, although they have never entered the campground. From November to February each year, whales migrate along the coast and can frequently be viewed from the campground.
Recreation
There is short walk to a rocky beach from the campground. A five mile ride will take you to Sand Dollar Beach, the largest sandy beach in Big Sur. It's a very popular spot for surfing, fishing, swimming, exploring, sunbathing and more. Fishing permits are required for anyone over age 16. Anglers can expect a catch of yellow perch and other coastal surf fish. The beach is dog-friendly, as long as dogs are leashed and waste is picked up. A variety of trails exist along the beach, which lead to the bluffs that overlook the beach and coves in the area. Additional hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails can be accessed within a short drive of the campground, and offer scenic views of waterfalls, redwood groves and mountain meadows and streams. Directly across the highway from the campground is the Vicente Flats Trailhead, which leads into the Ventana Wilderness.
Nearby
The Nacimiento Road, which offers a scenic drive on a paved road to an ocean overlook and picnic area, can be accessed across the road from the campground. The road climbs to the peak, 2,500 feet above sea level. Sand Dollar Beach is located 5 miles South of Kirk Creek. Sand Dollar Beach is the largest Sandy Beach in the Big Sur Area.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Kirk Creek Campground?
Sites at Kirk Creek Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations: recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Kirk Creek Campground?
6 PEOPLE 1 VEHICLE
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Kirk Creek Campground?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Kirk Creek Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Kirk Creek Campground have?
32 sites, including 32 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Kirk Creek Campground?
The longest site here provides 56 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Kirk Creek Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Kirk Creek Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Kirk Creek Campground?
There is short walk to a rocky beach from the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Kirk Creek Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Nacimiento Campground (5.3 mi, first-come), Plaskett Creek Campground (5.4 mi), and Ponderosa Campground (6.6 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby