Kirk Creek Campground

Great location, clean enviroment. We booked a seaside place and it was amazing. Can't recommend enough!

Much of Kirk Creek Campground is first come first serve. We arrived at 11:30am and got the last site available. If we had known before we paid, we probably would have gone up the hill and boondocked for free.

The location is great for exploring Big Sur. The trail down to the beach is beautiful.

We love this campground. It's perched up on a cliff overlooking the ocean with incredible panoramic views. We usually go in late fall/early winter when the whales are migrating.

Some of the sites are close together, and some have rather un-level ground, so if your sleeping area is on wheels, look at the sites carefully and/or bring a lot of leveling blocks!

The campground doesn't have water, so you have to bring your own. There's also no cell service. Totally worth it.

One of the top ten on my camping list and I've stayed here many times. Spectacular views from just about any site. The vibe here is totally worth any negatives. The campground is small and can get busy, and it's in the middle of nowhere sandwiched on a bluff between the ocean and a twisty cliff-side highway. No cell service, no payphones, no electricity and no water and miles from the nearest store or gas station...just how we like it.

I have wanted to camp here ever since traveling out west for the first time eight years ago. We finally made it happen and wish we could have stayed indefinitely. Make sure to fill up with gas before heading to the campground. Hwy 1 is currently open from the north but closed from the south. There are literally "road ends" barricades up once you reach the town of Gorda about 8 miles south of this campground. The camp is also dry so full up with water before arriving. No dump station, no service, just the best place to camp on the Pacific Ocean for $35/night. Highly recommend heading to Treebones Resort a few miles south for THE best sushi you will ever have. The sushi bar is small (less than 15 ppl) and fills up fast. Get there around 4, have a beer and enjoy the sunset from their property while you wait for the sushi bar to open at 4:30.

This was the worst camping experience I have ever had.
We couldn't find any flat space on the campsite to put the tent, there were holes and bumps litteraly everywhere (site 19).
Plus, they don't let you make fire. We had absolutely nothing to eat but raw meat and bread. I've been to a lot of campgrounds this summer in California and I was able to make fire everywhere (even in Yosemite during the Ferguson wildfire). If you come here, be prepared to eat cold food or buy a gas stove.
There is also no water in premises, so bring a lot with you if you want to cook or wash yourself. They have dry toilets that stink a lot but it's better than nothing...
Anyway I don't recommend this place. You can find much better in the area for the same (high) price.

The views are amazing. The campground is well manicured with bushes separately sites and nice green lawn like areas to hang out in on each site. Also sites are huge- if this was a typical RV park about 4 rigs would fit between each site.

There is no cell service, no hook ups and no water available- but we knew that so none of that was surprising and we were prepared. They were in fire ban while we were there which was a bit disappointing. They are part of the National Forest so they have to comply- however the state park campground a few miles away allowed fires.

There is so much to do in the area that even with our week long stay we didn’t do it all. There are great hikes and beaches within a few miles that are less crowded than the touristy area of Big Sur that is about 30 minutes north.

This campground is a hot commodity that requires making your reservations when they become available 6 months in advance or regularly stalking for a cancelation. They do however have a few hiker/biker walk in sites that are available first come first serve if you are able to rent camp.

Kirk Creek is fabulous, yet, we prefer another site just north at Plaskett Creek, which is on the other side of the highway (away from the ocean), but it's sheltered by cypress trees.

The campsites at Placket Creek are gorgeous. There is a beautiful sandy beach below, and trails galore.

Both are great places to camp!

We were here in March. This was our third time staying here and we hope to make it a yearly destination. Completely off grid. Amazing views. Listening to the waves. It’s the reset we all need sometimes.
Some of the sites aren’t very level or you have to come in at an odd angle but they are all very well maintained. The hosts were some of the hardest working we’ve ever seen. You can buy a gallon of water for $5 and wood for $12. Nothing else is available so stock up before you arrive.
There is a nice path down to the water but watch out for the poison oak. There is also a trail across the street for a hike to some amazing views.
We had reservations for 2 nights but we were able to stay a couple of extra days by moving to unreserved spots each day.

We have been coming here since 1998 and it has always been one of our favorites. It used to be all First Come First Serve which was nice but since it was on the cover of Sunset Magazine as one of the 10 Best Campgrounds more people know about it and it's gone to advance reservation.
If you can't get a reservation here when you want it, try Plaskett Creek which is 5.5 miles south of Kirk Creek on Hwy 1. It is very nice and has access to Sand Dollar Beach which is close to 1/4 mile long.
To the reviewer who gave Kirk Creek one star and didn't like the fact that they couldn't have a fire and had only raw meat etc., to eat. Who goes camping without a camp stove?
There is a reason for no fires and a permit is required for propane appliances which is attainable close by from the Forest Service.