Welcome To Hike Los Padres!
User Log In or Sign Up
Use Marker Cluster
Markers: Use Marker Groups
Time used: ms
Routes
    Trails
    OHV Trails
    Forest Roads
    Streams
Wildfire Layers
    Wolf 2002
    Piru 2003
    Day 2006
    Zaca 2007
    Gap 2008
    La Brea 2009
Forest Layers
    Forest Boundary
    Wilderness Areas
    Ranger Districts
    Counties
    Topographic Outlines
    Trailheads
    OHV Trailheads
Helpful Hints
    ↣ Right click the map for location data. ↣ Click a stream for Water Stats.

Kirk Creek Campground North Los Padres National Forest

  • Camp Type: Car Campground - Please Make A Reservation
  • Topo Map Link: Cape San Martin
  • Elevation: 30 feet
  • Wilderness Area: Non Wilderness Area
  • County: Monterey County
  • Ranger District: Monterey Ranger District
  • Longitude: -121.4962
  • Latitude: 35.9893
  • Length of Stay: 14 Days
  • Reservations: Car Campground - Please Make A Reservation

Description:

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 within walking distance of the area's largest sandy beach and is close to a variety of scenic trails that lead visitors into the Los Padres National Forest.

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.

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.

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.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
  • Biking
  • Birding
  • Campfire Rings
  • Firewood Vendor
  • General Store
  • Grills
  • Hiking
  • Host
  • Kayaking
  • Paved Roads
  • Recycling
  • Self Pay Station
  • Tables
  • Trailheads
  • Wildlife Viewing
Less Than 1 Mile
  • Fishing
  • Horseback Riding Trails
  • Hunting
  • Scuba Diving
  • Surfing
Within 10 Miles
  • Bait Shop
  • Beach Access
  • Pay Phone
  • Restaurant
Know Before You Go
  • 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
  • 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.

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
35.99167, -121.49417
35°59'30"N, 121°29'39"W

From San Luis Obispo, travel north on Highway 1 for approximately 65 miles to the campground.

From Monterey, travel south on Highway 1 for approximately 50 miles to the campground.

Contact Information:

Reservations:

http://www.recreation.gov/camping/kirk-creek-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=71993

Phone Number:

Information:  (805) 434-1996


Submitted Camp Reports

No surveys have been posted for Kirk Creek Campground.


Leave A Camp Report

Survey / Report Form


Last Updated: Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Join Our Mailing List
×
Get updates on conditions, surveys and more...

L.P.N.F. Contacts »

  • Forest Headquarters
    Phone: (805) 968-6640
  • Mt. Pinos District
    Phone: (661) 245-3731
  • Ojai Ranger District
    Phone: (805) 646-4348
  • Santa Barbara District
    Phone: (805) 967-3481
  • Santa Lucia District
    Phone: (805) 925-9538
  • Monterey District
    Phone: (831) 385-5434