Kirk Creek Campground

Los Padres National Forest

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.

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.

Notifications and Alerts

• This location is CLOSED. As of 1/7/2020 pursuant to USDA Forest Service Regional Order: All campgrounds are CLOSED for overnight stays through January 29th, 2021. Affected reservations have been canceled and refunds have been issued. Local managers are committed to the health and safety of recreational visitors and our staff. We are following the guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates. Day use areas remain open and are encouraged to be visited with members of your own household for exercise and enjoyment. Please see Campone.com for a complete list of open Day Use Areas. 

Need to Know

• Forest Service Emergency Closure (https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lpnf/alerts-notices/?aid=61549)

  U.S. Forest Service has issued an emergency closure of said forests in Pacific Southwest Region:

  a. Inyo National Forest, b. Sierra National Forest, c. Sequoia National Forest, d. Stanislaus National Forest, e. Los Padres National Forest, f. Angeles National Forest, g. San Bernardino National Forest, h. Cleveland National Forest

  All campgrounds have been closed and evacuated, please visit www.recreation.gov to request a refund.

• In order to contact our offices, please use the email customerservice@pmcparks.com.

• Poison oak is abundant in the area.

• • No water is available at the campground.
• Limit of 2 vehicles per site; additional vehicles are not permitted.
• Reservations can be made three days in advance.All single campsite reservations are good for 6 people and 1 vehicle.
• Maximum number of people per single site is 8 ($10.00 additional charge per person per night after 6 people). Maximum number of vehicles per single site is 2 ($10.00 additional charge for 2nd vehicle per night). Extra vehicle and person fees will be charged at the facility.
• Click here for more information on the Los Padres National Forest.
• Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
• No Cell Service available in area
• No Public Showers available in area

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.

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.

Contact Information

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Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 805-434-1996 OR EMAIL CUSTOMERSERVICE@PMCPARKS.COM

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From San Luis Obispo, take Highway 1 north for approximately 60 miles to the campground. From Monterey, take Highway 1 south for approximately 55 miles to the campground.

Available Campsites

• Site 005, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 026, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 027, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 025, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 016, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 029, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 004, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 020, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 003, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 009, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 013, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 031, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 007, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 018, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 014, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 001, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 012, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 006, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 021, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 019, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 011, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 022, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 032, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 033, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 030, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 024, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 010, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 028, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 008, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 002, Loop KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric

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