Kirk Creek Campground
Big Sur, CA
Bluff-top sites above the Pacific on Highway 1. The sunsets here are among the best on the coast.
Kirk Creek Campground lies in Los Padres National Forest right on Highway 1 on the Big Sur coast, just south of Lucia and Limekiln State Park. Its 40 sites sit on an open bluff about 100 feet (30 m) above the ocean. The campground has picnic tables and vault toilets; there is no drinking water, though the camp host sometimes has water and firewood. Fires are allowed only in the designated fire rings. Wikivoyage highlights the sunsets and the scarcity of trees, which makes the campground sunnier than the redwood campgrounds farther north.
Two sites are first-come, first-served; the rest are booked through Recreation.gov about six months ahead. RVs are limited to 30 feet (9 m). Important (as of October 2026): the Forest Service reported the campground closed in August 2026 because of the Timber and Plaskett Fires, and Highway 1 reopened in mid-September. Be sure to check the campground's current status before you travel.
- Nearest town
- Big Sur, CA
- Category
- Camping & RV
- GPS
- 35.9892, -121.4957
- Hookups
- none
- Max length
- 30 ft (9.1 m)
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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Nearby
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- Ponderosa CampgroundCampsite6 mi from Kirk Creek Campground
- Escondido CampgroundCampsite11 mi from Kirk Creek CampgroundFree
- China Camp CampgroundCampsite22 mi from Kirk Creek Campground
- Ventana CampgroundCampsite22 mi from Kirk Creek CampgroundTents
All campsites in California · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Kirk Creek Campground?
Kirk Creek Campground is in Big Sur, CA, at GPS 35.9892, -121.4957. It is about 14 mi from Mission San Antonio de Padua.
Which road trips pass Kirk Creek Campground?
Kirk Creek Campground is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Highway 1: San Francisco to Santa Monica.
What is there to see near Kirk Creek Campground?
Places worth a stop nearby: McWay Falls (15 mi), Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery (26 mi), Hearst Castle (28 mi) and Bixby Creek Bridge (35 mi).
When is the best time to visit Kirk Creek Campground?
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)