Kirk Creek Campground might as well be called Amazing Ocean Views Campground. This national forest campground is perched atop ocean bluffs that are over 100-foot tall and overlook miles and miles of Pacific Ocean along the beautiful Big Sur coastline. Kirk Creek Campground is a stunning place to put up a tent or park an RV and is sure to be a treat for anyone able to stay here on a trip through Big Sur.
Kirk Creek Campground just might be the most beautiful basecamp for a visit to Big Sur. The campground is just five miles north of Sand Dollar Beach, probably the area’s longest sandy beach, and seventeen mile south of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, home of the beloved McWay Falls. Kirk Creek Campground is an attraction of its own though, with gorgeous ocean views that will make it hard to leave your campsite.
Kirk Creek Campground has 33 standard non-powered sites for tents and RVs (some sites won’t be able to fit long campers). Five smaller hike-in or bike-in sites on the lower side of the campground accommodate those who don’t have a vehicle to park. The campsites are spread out over two loops stretched across a slope above a coastal bluff. The pitch of the terrain makes it possible to enjoy big views throughout the campground. There seem to be ocean views from practically every campsite, but if you are able to book one of the sites along the bluff (9, 11, 15, 17, 19, 21, or 22), you’ll really see the Pacific.
Campsites may be reserved in advance on recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. Reservations are especially necessary on summer weekends when this desirable campground is sure to be at capacity. There is a 14-day limit on all of the sites. The 33 standard sites are appropriate for up to 8 people and up to two vehicles. A $35 fee for each campsite covers the first vehicle. A second vehicle can be added for an additional $10. Each site comes with a picnic table, fire ring, and barbecue grill. The campground has vault toilets. Kirk Creek Campground does not have potable water, so be sure to bring your own water for drinking and cooking. (Note that descriptions posted elsewhere of Kirk Creek not taking reservations and offering water and flush toilets are out of date and incorrect.) The five hike-in or bike-in sites are $5 per person.
Generators are allowed during the day, but not during quiet hours (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.). Dogs are allowed, but must be kept on leashes in the campground. Only people that are staying at campsites are permitted in the campground. There is no day use parking at all, so you need to be staying at one of the campsites to enjoy Kirk Creek Campground.
A trail starting from Kirk Creek Campground heads down to the rocky waterfront below the bluff. Since campers are the only ones that can really access the trail, you should find the beach below to be largely unoccupied. A dirt track starting from the south side of the campground, near site 11, follows the edge of the bluff into a canyon carved by Kirk Creek. Drop into the canyon and cross the creek itself before reaching to the ocean, where you’ll find a small beach of course sand and a lovely jumble of rocks.
Inland from Kirk Creek Campground lie the beautiful Santa Lucia Mountains in the Ventana Wilderness. With views from verdant mountains to the striking blue ocean, Kirk Creek Campground really has it all. The campground has very little shade through, so you may wish to find other places to be during the hot part of the day. Be sure to bring your camp chairs and relax at Kirk Creek Campground, where nearly every site has a gin-and-tonic-worthy perspective north up the coast of Big Sur.
If you’re exploring more of the area, keep in mind that when you pay to camp at Kirk Creek Campground, you can access nearby beaches in Los Padres National Forest without paying additional day use fees. There is no need to pay the usual $10 entrance fee for Sand Dollar Beach or Pfeiffer Beach if you have a camping permit (all prices as of 2016).
To get to the campground: From the south, drive up Highway One, 20.5 miles north of Ragged Point Inn (or 43.5 miles north of Cambria) to the campground entrance. From the north, drive 17 miles south from Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (home of McWay Falls) to Kirk Creek Campground, which is on the west side of the road.
Campground address: 64955 California 1, Big Sur, CA 93920
Campground coordinates: 35.989969, -121.495202 (35° 59′ 23.88″N 121° 29′ 42.72″W)
Use the map below to view the campground and get directions:
 | Hare Creek Trail, Limekiln Trail, and Falls Trail This 2.65-mile hike in Limekiln State Park explores a trio of trails along lovely streams in redwood-lined canyons, reaching Limekiln Falls and historic lime kilns. |
 | Sand Dollar Beach This short hike to Big Sur’s longest beach passes two scenic overlooks on the way to the sand for a hike of 0.5 miles (or more) round trip. |
 | Pacific Valley Bluff Trail This short out and back hike extends from Highway One to an ocean bluff with fantastic views of the Big Sur Coast. |
 | Jade Cove and Plaskett Rock Point This 1.5-mile hike along an ocean bluff visits a prominent peninsula and a small cove. |
 | Salmon Creek Falls This short hike visits a fine 120-foot waterfall near the start of Salmon Creek Trail. |
 | Buckeye Trail This hike of 6.5 miles or more reaches incredibly ocean vistas and trail camps in the Silver Peak Wilderness. Connect Cruickshank Trail and Buckeye Trail for an excellent shuttle hike of 8.25 miles or more. |
 | Cruickshank Trail This hike into Silver Peak Wilderness starts with bold ocean views and crosses redwood groves to reach Upper Cruickshank Camp at a junction with Buckeye Trail, 5 miles round trip from Highway One. |
 | McWay Falls This 0.6-mile hike looks out on a stunning Big Sur waterfall that pours 80 feet right on to the beach. |
 | Canyon Falls This 0.9-mile hike heads inland up McWay Creek past a picnic area in a redwood grove to a lovely little waterfall. |
 | Partington Cove This 1.5 mile hike visits a cove and a secluded beach along the scenic Big Sur coast. The cove is accessed through a tunnel. |
 | Pfeiffer Beach This short walk reaches an absolutely stunning beach that’s a classic feature of the Big Sur landscape. |
 | Pfeiffer Falls and Valley View This 2.4-mile hike is like two hikes in one, reaching a waterfall in a canyon of redwoods and a vista point overlooking the Big Sur River Valley. |
 | Nature Trail – River Path Loop This easy 0.55-mile loop explores woodlands along the Big Sur River and a redwood grove that includes the unique and impressive Proboscis Tree. The loop can be combined with the trail to Pfeiffer Falls and Valley View for a 3-mile trek. |
| Pfeiffer Falls and Valley View This 2.4-mile hike is like two hikes in one, reaching a waterfall in a canyon of redwoods and a vista point overlooking the Big Sur River Valley. |
 | Ridge Trail – Panorama Trail – Bluff Trail Loop This 8.7-mile loop in Andrew Molera State Park crosses a coastal ridge, bluff, and beach that are packed with amazing Big Sur views. |
 | More Central Coast Hikes Explore other destinations along the California coast between Ventura and Monterey, including trails in Los Padres National Forest. |
 | Plaskett Creek Campground This 45-site campground in Los Padres National Forest is positioned across Highway One from Sand Dollar Beach and Plaskett Rock Point on the coast of Big Sur. |
 | Limekiln State Park Campground This 29-site Big Sur campground at the bottom of Limekiln Canyon has sites along a creek through a redwood grove and near the ocean, with access to trails up Limekiln Canyon. |
 | Pfieffer Big Sur State Park Campground This large campground in the heart of Big Sur is spread out through oak and redwood groves along the Big Sur River. |
 | Andrew Molera State Park Trail Camp This trail camp is easy to reach (just a short walk in) with campsites in a meadow along the Big Sur River near Molera Beach. |
are dogs allowed in Kirk Creek?
Dogs are allowed in the campground
Are there still hike-in bike-in site at this campground? There is no mention of such facilities on their website.
We love to stay 1 night 3-10/4-10 this year at your place with a small camper 19 feet, 2 persons. Please, offer a possibility for us before we go home to Holland.
Campsites may be reserved in advance on recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777.
May I fish while camping at Kirk Creek campground?
Thanks
Were going in late August 2019 from Santa Cruz. Are the roads open?
Are dogs allowed on the beach and hiking trails?