USDA Forest Service · California
Kirk Creek Campground
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 32
- Hookups
- 32 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Cost
- 6 PEOPLE 1 VEHICLE
- Max RV length
- 56 ft
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 617 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- KIRK CREEK CG. (NFSR 22S02) · bituminous surface treatment · high degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Los Padres National Forest
- Phone
- 805-434-1996 OR EMAIL [email protected]
- Activities
- Biking, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Kayaking, Scuba Diving, Wildlife Viewing
32 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 60° | 49° | 40° | 74° | 0 of 11 |
| February | 59° | 48° | 38° | 77° | 0 of 11 |
| March | 60° | 49° | 42° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| April | 62° | 50° | 43° | 78° | 0 of 11 |
| May | 69° | 53° | 48° | 81° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 75° | 58° | 51° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 81° | 63° | 54° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 80° | 63° | 58° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 76° | 61° | 54° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 74° | 59° | 50° | 88° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 65° | 54° | 43° | 78° | 0 of 10 |
| December | 60° | 50° | 40° | 73° | 0 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Limekiln State Park · California State Parks · 2 mi · 29 sites
- Nacimiento · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi
- Plaskett Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi · 46 sites
- Ponderosa Campground · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi · 23 sites
- Memorial Campground · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi · 8 sites
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.