Kirk Creek Campground Los Padres National Forest California
Kirk Creek Overview
Kirk Creek campground has 33 (mostly tent) campsites on the west side of Hwy. 1 offering fantastic views of the Pacific Oceano and Big Sur coastline. Some campsites can accommodate trailers/RVs up to 56 feet, but there are no electrical hookups. Hike/bike campsites are also available. Campsites 2 and 3 are first-come, first-serve and the rest are reservable.
Each campsite also has a parking pad, table, fire ring and pedestal BBQ. The campground has paved roads and vault toilets. There is no drinking water so remember to bring your own. Firewood is available for purchase from the camp host. Dogs are allowed at Kirk Creek Campground, the beach and trails as long as they are on a leash and waste is picked up.
Kirk Creek – Area Recreation
Kirk Creek is a close walk to rocky beach and it’s also close to many trails that lead into the Los Padres National Forest. Sand Dollar Beach is the largest sandy beach in Big Sur and it is about 5 miles down the highway. It’s a popular beach for surf fishing, swimming, beach combing and sunbathing. There’s also plenty of wildlife in there including fox, bobcat, deer, raccoon and an occasional bear or mountain lion.
Limekiln State Park is just 3.3 miles to the north and Plaskett Creek campground is 6 miles to the south. Both are just off Highway 1. Ponderosa Campground is also nice (about 14 miles inland).
Make a Reservation for Kirk Creek
Amenities
- BBQ Grills
- Campground Host
- Campsite Tables
- Cell Service Fair
- Equestrian trail
- Fire Pit
- Fire Rings
- Firewood Available
- Grills
- Pets OK
- Picnic Tables
- Restrooms (Vault Toilets)
- Wood
Activities
- Backpacking
- Beach
- Beach Access
- Beach Combing
- Biking
- Bird Watching
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
- Nature Trails
- Ocean
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Stargazing
- Surf Fish
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Walking Trails
- Wildlife Viewing
Kirk Creek sold out? Get an alert when a campsite becomes available at Kirk Creek!
Create Campsite Availability AlertBest Campsites
5, 8, 9, 11, 13-22
Regions
Campsite Types
- ADA
- RV
- Tent
- Trailer
# of Campsites:
33
Campsite Vehicle Size:
From 28 to 56 feet.
Season:
Year Round
Elevation:
100
Kirk Creek Photos & Video
Kirk Creek Comments & Reviews
Visited Kirk Creek Campground lately? We'd love to hear about your adventure. Did you find us useful? Did we forget something? Anything our community should know before heading out to Kirk Creek?
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This is one of my most favorite campgrounds ever – right on a bluff above the Pacific Ocean in Big Sur. Amazing views in an uncrowded part of the amazing Big Sur coast.
I recently booked site 16 and it states that it can accommodate a trailer of 32’. But looking at the photos, it seems like it’s the combined length since it doesn’t seem like a tow vehicle can be parked beside it. My overall length would be about 50’. Would I be able to fit some how?
No. And 16 slopes horribly.
Hi, I noticed Site 23, the hiker/biker area has sub sites A-E. Does this mean Hikers/bikers will be turned away when the 5 sites are taken? I know Limekiln SP does not accommodate H/B’s. Is there another campground nearby that H/B’s should try?
Regards,
Keith
Hi Keith,
The hiker/biker campsites (A, B, C, D and E) are all first-come, first-serve. If they are all filled, then technically you won’t be able to camp there – unless one of the hiker/biker campers lets you stay in there space. Plaskett Creek has hiker/biker (first-come, first-serve) campsites. It’s about 6 miles south of Kirk Creek. And Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (29 miles north of Kirk Creek) has hiker/biker campsites.
Hello,
Is it allowed to use the fire rings at the sites?
Hi Ol,
Fire restrictions are currently in effect that prohibit fires including charcoal fires, wood-burning camp stoves, and charcoal grills. Only gas and propane are allowed at Kirk Creek campground.
hello! Is there a place on nearby that sells firewood?
thanks!
Yes there is! You can purchase firewood from the camp host at Kirk Creek.
I need to know the campsites closest to toilets. Are there campsites specific to disabled? I have a California State placard. I have not been able to find a campground map of Kirk Creek.
Hi Karen,
We have a Kirk Creek Campground map on the Kirk Creek webpage. It is below the Google Map. You can see which campsites are closest to the restrooms (12, 26, 27 and 28). They do have a few campsites (ADA) for disabled, but we’re not sure which ones.
Hi! We are wanting to reserve a campsite, but they are all booked. We want to try to get the campsites that are first-come, first-served. How early can we arrive to try to get one of those sites?
Hi Makenna,
Campsites 2 and 3 are first-come, first-serve throughout the year and a few others are first-come, first-serve in the off season. Kirk Creek is very popular, especially on weekends. If you’re shooting for a weekend, I recommend trying to get there by Thursday afternoon or by 7am on Friday. A Friday afternoon/evening arrival will be iffy. Best of luck and hope you get a site!
I assume i can sleep in my Sprinter van in site 14 even though it says Tent?
Hi Dan,
Yes – you can sleep in your Sprinter van tag site #14, as long as it fits in the parking spur.
For the BBQ are we allowed to bring charcoal for the BBQ?
How much is a bundle of firewood from the host?
Hi Marty,
You can bring charcoal for the the campsite BBQs. I’m not sure what they charge for the firewood at the campground, but it is generally around $7-$8 per bundle.
Are dogs allowed on trails and beach?
Hi Emily,
Dogs are allowed at Kirk Creek Campground, the beach and trails as long as they are on a leash and waste is picked up.