Kirk Creek Campground
Campground · 32 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Los Padres National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 32
- Bookable sites
- 56 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 8
- People per site
- 509 ft
- Elevation
Overview
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.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.
Facilities
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.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.
Nearby Attractions
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.The facts
- 32 bookable sites
- Vehicles up to 56 ft
- Up to 8 people per site
- Loops: KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND
Site types
- 32 Standard Nonelectric
Amenities
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.
32 campsites at Kirk Creek Campground
Check-in 3:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 46 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 002 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 41 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 003 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 43 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 004 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 46 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 005 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 37 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 006 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 48 ft | 8 | |
| 007 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 46 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 008 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Oceanfront | 43 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 009 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 53 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 010 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 38 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 011 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 37 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 012 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 56 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 013 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 38 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 014 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 32 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 015 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 44 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 016 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 32 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 017 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 018 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 28 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 019 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 43 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 020 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 26 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 021 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 39 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 022 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 39 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 024 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 34 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 025 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 28 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 026 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 027 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 31 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 028 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 029 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 29 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 030 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 38 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 031 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 41 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 032 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 033 | KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 47 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
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.
35.99167, -121.49417 · 35°59'30.0"N 121°29'39.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 4.2 | 3.7 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 2.7 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 18 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
6 PEOPLE 1 VEHICLE
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Kirk Creek Campground
- Can you reserve a site at Kirk Creek Campground?
- Yes, Kirk Creek Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Kirk Creek Campground have?
- 32 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at Kirk Creek Campground?
- 56 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Kirk Creek Campground?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Kirk Creek Campground.
Also listed by
Kirk Creek Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Kirk Creek Campground's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- $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. Extra vehicle charge of $10.00 per night based on faci
Restrictions:
- 14 day maximum stay.
Camping near Kirk Creek Campground
- Plaskett Creek Campground 5.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Ponderosa Campground 6.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Memorial Campground 8.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Escondido Campground 10.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Arroyo Seco 17.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- China Camp Campground 21.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- White Oaks Campground 23.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Nacimiento Campground 5.3 mi · Campground
- Ponderosa Campground 6.2 mi · Campground
- Silver Peak Wilderness 14.3 mi · Facility
- Arroyo Seco Group Campground 16.6 mi · Campground
- Arroyo Seco Trailhead 16.8 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 805-434-1996 OR EMAIL CUSTOMERSERVICE@PMCPARKS.COM
- Email customerservice@pmcparks.com
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
Comments