Los Padres National Forest — ocean access, fishing, hiking
Location: Big Sur, CA, CA
Price: From $45 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (811 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/kirk-creek-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Kirk Creek offers oceanside bluff camping with Pacific Ocean views from each site and access to scenic trails in Los Padres National Forest. Campers consistently praise the spectacular views, privacy, and stargazing opportunities.
Wildlife alert: Gray Fox, Coyote, Spotted Owl, Surf Scoter, Steller's Jay, American Dipper, Coast Mountain Kingsnake, and Northern Legless Lizard present in the area.
Insider tips for Kirk Creek Campground: Book early — this is a popular federal campground with high demand. Request a site with tall shrubbery for enhanced privacy if available. Sites offer excellent stargazing; bring binoculars for wildlife viewing.
Skip Kirk Creek Campground if: You need RV hookups — most sites have none; only suitable for self-contained RVs.. You require year-round access — seasonal operations May-October only.. Highway 1 is closed in your access route from the Monterey area; use San Luis Obispo approach (60 miles north on Highway 1)..
Best time to visit Kirk Creek Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only..
Nearby campgrounds: Plaskett Creek Campground (BIG SUR, CA), Ponderosa Campground (Big Sur, CA), Memorial Campground (Greenfield, CA), Escondido Campground (Big Sur, CA).
Cell signal at Kirk Creek Campground (Big Sur, CA): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Known issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Book early
this is a popular federal campground with high demand.
Request a site with tall shrubbery for enhanced privacy if available.
Sites offer excellent stargazing; bring binoculars for wildlife viewing.
Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.









Hwy 1 is TEMPORARILY CLOSED from the Monterey area From San Luis Obispo, take Highway 1 north for approximately 60 miles to the campground.
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