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
Big Sur, California 93920
805 434-1996
Lat / Long:
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Campsite Types
- ADA
- RV
- Tent
- Trailer
# of Campsites:
33
Campsite Vehicle Size:
From 28 to 56 feet.
Season:
Year Round
Elevation:
100
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.
Good day,
Are shower tents allowed? Thank you
Hi Jay, as far as I know shower-tents are okay to use at Kirk Creek campground. You may want to double check with camp host when you get there.
Hello,
I know that some spaces are first-come first-served. I am planning to arrive very early on a Sunday and staying only one night. Are the chances of getting a spot pretty low? At what time should you recommend I arrive?
Thank you!
Hi Gabby,
Kirk Creek is pretty popular, but you may get luck with a Sunday arrival (for a first-come, first-serve campsite). I recommend getting there no later than 9am to get in line for any site that may become available. The earlier the better.
Hi 👋
What spot would you recommend for 3 tents. 2 adults and 3 teenage kids. Would want with trees to hang hammocks and with great view. Is this campground with access to the beach? Trying to find something really special for husbands birthday, who loves camping 🏕 and never was in campground in big sur.
And thank you so much for your advice about sheep creek campground (in kings canyon)! That was amazing!!!!
Hi was wondering how many people I could realistically fit in site 26. Judging from the photos there isn’t much real estate to set up more than one or two tents. Hoping to bring a group of 8 with two cars. Is that unrealistic?
Hi Will,
Campsite #26 can have up to 2 vehicles and 8 people. The parking spur is listed as 36 feet long. With that said – I’m thinking if you push the table back closer to the bushes you can fit two (4 person) medium sized tents in the flat/dirt area. That doesn’t leave much room for bocce ball though 😉 It’ll be a little tight.
Will campsite 29 fit 2 tents in the space? Does this site have a nice view of the ocean? Will charcoal be allowed this coming August? Helane
Hi Helane,
Campsite #29 does have a nice view of the ocean (but not the beach/surf). It also has an area about 15 feed wide by 25 feet long (down by the BBQ) for tents. The area should fit two small tents and maybe medium sized tents depending on the tent dimensions. There is also some room for tents along the parking area but that does not look very level.
was only able to nab one campsite. Even though it says maximum 8 people and 2 vehicles, if we add a 3rd car and maybe 4 more people for a total of 12 people and 3 cars, would the camp host kick us out? Thanks
Hi Rinn,
I’d say chances are pretty good that the host would not allow the extra vehicle and/or people in your campsite 🙁