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Kirk Creek Campground permit area in Los Padres National Forest - backcountry hiking destination
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Kirk Creek Campground Permit

Los Padres National Forest · California

Coastal bluff campground on Highway 1. High demand.

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70% of the openings our scanner caught on Kirk Creek were gone within 5 minutes.

Kirk Creek reservation dates

max group size
8people

How to get a Kirk Creek permit

As of September 2026, Kirk Creek in Los Padres National Forest, California requires a permit issued via reservation. Kirk Creek is one of the most competitive permits in the United States, rating 9/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Kirk Creek permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens.

Type
Overnight
Location
Big Sur coast, Los Padres National Forest, CA

  1. Step 1: Create a Recreation.gov account

    Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.

  2. Step 2: Know the release schedule

    Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.

  3. Step 3: Be ready when permits drop

    Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.

  4. Step 4: Monitor for cancellations

    If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.

Book at Recreation.gov
Learn more:
Best booking timesCancellation huntingRecreation.gov tips

Kirk Creek pro tips

  1. Check the Highway 1 status before you drive. The route from Monterey has been closed and the approach is from San Luis Obispo
  2. Bring every drop of water you will need; there is none at the campground
  3. Book with the two-night minimum in mind, or three over a holiday weekend
  4. Come between November and February if you want to watch whales from your site
  5. The base fee covers 6 people and 1 vehicle, so budget $10 a night for each extra person and for a second vehicle
  6. Poison oak is abundant here, so cover your legs on the Vicente Flats trail
  7. Summer fog sits on the coast while Nacimiento Road, right across the highway, climbs above it into the sun

More on Kirk Creek: Live availability activityWhen Kirk Creek permits open upDo I need a Kirk Creek Campground permit?

How much a Kirk Creek permit costs

Kirk Creek permit fee: Base fee covers 6 people and 1 vehicle; +$10 per extra person per night, +$10 for a second vehicle per night.

The Kirk Creek hike

Kirk Creek landmarks

  1. 1Kirk Creek bluff sites

    Spacious, open, grassy sites about 100 feet above the Pacific, each with an ocean view.

  2. 2Vicente Flats Trailhead

    Directly across the highway from the campground, leading into the Ventana Wilderness.

  3. 3Nacimiento Road overlook

    A paved scenic drive accessed across the road from the campground, climbing to a peak 2,500 feet above sea level with an ocean overlook and picnic area.

  4. 4Sand Dollar Beach

    Five miles south, and the largest sandy beach in the Big Sur area. Popular for surfing, fishing and swimming.

Every site here sits on a bluff about 100 feet above the Pacific, with an ocean view from the tent door.

About this permit

Kirk Creek is a Forest Service campground on a bluff about 100 feet above the Pacific on the Big Sur coast, in the Los Padres National Forest. Every site has an ocean view.

It is a simple place: single-family sites for tents and RVs, gravel and grass parking, a table and a campfire ring with grill at each site, and vault toilets throughout. There are no utility hookups, no water, and no public showers.

The practical constraint is the highway. Recreation.gov currently carries a notice that Highway 1 is temporarily closed from the Monterey area, which means the approach is from the south: Highway 1 north from San Luis Obispo for about 60 miles. Check the road status before you commit to the drive.

The route

The campground sits on a bluff on the seaward side of Highway 1, about 100 feet above the water. Sites are single-family, for tents or RVs, on gravel and grass, with a table and a campfire ring with grill at each one, and vault toilets throughout.

There is a short walk down to a rocky beach from the campground itself. Directly across the highway is the Vicente Flats Trailhead, which climbs into the Ventana Wilderness. Also across the road is the Nacimiento Road, a paved scenic drive that climbs to a peak 2,500 feet above sea level with an ocean overlook and picnic area.

Sand Dollar Beach, the largest sandy beach in the Big Sur area, is 5 miles south, the nearest real swimming, surfing and fishing. Anyone over 16 needs a fishing permit.

Why it matters

Kirk Creek is the rare Forest Service campground built around its view. The Forest Service's own description calls it "an oceanside paradise, with each site overlooking the Pacific Ocean." It is also one of the few places on the Big Sur coast where you can book a spot in advance rather than hoping.

The feeling

Grassy, open sites with nothing between you and the water but air. The sun goes down straight into the ocean, and between November and February whales pass close enough to watch from your site with coffee in hand. There are no hookups and no showers, and it does not matter.

Kirk Creek hike highlights

  1. Spacious, open, grassy single-family sites about 100 feet above the Pacific
  2. An ocean view from every site, with outstanding sunrises and sunsets
  3. Vault toilets, a table and a campfire ring with grill at each site
  4. No utility hookups, no water, no public showers and no cell service
  5. Whale migration visible from the campground November through February
  6. The Vicente Flats Trailhead into the Ventana Wilderness directly across the highway

How hard the Kirk Creek hike is

  • Physical DemandFitness and endurance required1/5
  • Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills1/5
  • Exposure RiskSteep dropoffs and fall potential1/5
  • NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity1/5
  • CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route1/5

Best for: Anyone who wants an ocean-view campsite they can drive to, including families and first-time campers.

Recommended experience: None. This is drive-up car camping. The only planning that matters is checking the Highway 1 status and bringing your own water.

Not recommended for: Anyone needing hookups, showers, drinking water on site, or cell service.

Trailhead information

Kirk Creek Campground

Primary

100 ft elevation

Oceanside campground on a bluff on Highway 1, with the Vicente Flats Trailhead directly across the road.

  • Restrooms
  • No water
  • No Service

Parking

Sites take a maximum of 8 people and 2 vehicles. The base fee covers 6 people and 1 vehicle; extra people and a second vehicle cost $10 each per night.

Getting There

Highway 1 has been temporarily closed from the Monterey area, so check before you go. From San Luis Obispo, take Highway 1 north for about 60 miles to the campground.

Nearest Services

Very limited on this stretch of Highway 1. Stock up in San Luis Obispo or Cambria to the south.

When to hike Kirk Creek

Best time to visit

The Big Sur coast is a year-round campground, but the seasons differ sharply. November through February brings the whale migration and the quietest sites, at the cost of storms and a higher chance of highway closures. Spring and autumn give the clearest weather. Summer is the busiest and the foggiest: the coast often sits under marine layer while it is sunny inland.

Peak
June through September
Shoulder
April, May and October, when the fog lifts and the crowds thin

  • Spring

    Clear, green and breezy, with less fog than summer and fewer storms than winter.

    Crowd level · moderate

    • Advantage: Best all-round weather of the year
    • Advantage: Green hillsides and wildflowers
    • Advantage: Clearer coastal views than summer
    • Challenge: Wind on the exposed bluff
    • Challenge: Highway 1 repairs often run in spring
    • Challenge: Cold nights on the coast

  • Summer

    Busiest season, and often the foggiest: the marine layer sits on the coast while it is sunny a few miles inland.

    Crowd level · high

    • Advantage: Warmest water for Sand Dollar Beach
    • Advantage: Long evenings on the bluff
    • Advantage: Most reliable highway access
    • Challenge: Sites book out well ahead
    • Challenge: Coastal fog can obscure the view for days
    • Challenge: Two-night minimum applies, three over holidays

  • Fall

    The clearest weather on this coast. Fog retreats, crowds thin, and the ocean views are at their best.

    Crowd level · moderate

    • Advantage: Clearest coastal views of the year
    • Advantage: Warm days and mild nights
    • Advantage: Fewer people than summer
    • Challenge: Fire restrictions may limit campfire rings
    • Challenge: Dry, brown hillsides
    • Challenge: Shorter days

  • Winter

    Storms and the whale migration. November through February whales pass close enough to watch from the campground.

    Crowd level · low

    • Advantage: Whale migration visible from your site
    • Advantage: Quietest sites of the year
    • Advantage: Dramatic storm-watching from the bluff
    • Challenge: Highest risk of Highway 1 closures
    • Challenge: Wet, windy and cold on an exposed bluff
    • Challenge: Limited services open nearby

Weather Forecast

Trailhead (5,000 ft)

Today

☁️

66°

52°

Wed

🌫️

69°

55°

Thu

🌫️

72°

54°

Fri

☁️

87°

66°

Sat

☁️

88°

69°

Sun

☀️

89°

70°

Mon

☀️

92°

73°

View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.

Kirk Creek photography guide

Golden Hour

Sunset straight off the bluff is the shot, and you do not have to move to get it. The Forest Service notes that sunrises and sunsets from the sites are outstanding.

Best Light

Coastal fog burns off through the morning and often returns by late afternoon, so the clearest light is usually late morning to mid-afternoon.

Beat the Crowds

The two-night minimum keeps single-night traffic out, and the three-night holiday weekend minimum thins those out too. Midweek stays outside summer are the quietest.

Classic Shots

  1. A tent on the bluff with the Pacific filling the background
  2. Sunset dropping into the ocean from a campsite
  3. Whales offshore between November and February
  4. The Big Sur coastline stretching north and south from the bluff edge
  5. The rocky beach below the campground at low tide
  6. The view from Nacimiento Road, 2,500 feet up and directly across the highway

Kirk Creek rules, gear and safety

Gear checklist

Required
  • All your drinking water: there is no water at the campground
  • Layers and a windbreak; the bluff is exposed and coastal wind is constant
  • Firewood if you intend to use the campfire ring
  • Offline maps and directions, since there is no cell service

Recommended gear

  • Binoculars for the November to February whale migration
  • Sturdy tent stakes for open, grassy, wind-exposed sites
  • Long trousers for the trails: poison oak is abundant in the area
  • A cooler stocked before you leave San Luis Obispo or Cambria

Rules & regulations

  1. 01Maximum stay is 14 consecutive nights
  2. 02Minimum stay is 2 consecutive nights, and 3 nights over holiday weekends
  3. 03Maximum 8 people and 2 vehicles per site
  4. 04The base fee covers 6 people and 1 vehicle; each additional person is $10 per night and a second vehicle is $10 per night
  5. 05Fishing permits are required for anyone over age 16
  6. 06Dogs are allowed on Sand Dollar Beach as long as they are leashed and waste is picked up

Hazards & considerations

  • Highway 1 closures, which regularly cut this stretch of coast off from the north
  • Poison oak, which is abundant in the area
  • No cell service for emergencies
  • Exposed bluff sites with constant coastal wind
  • Mountain lions and bears are occasionally seen in the area, though the Forest Service notes they have never entered the campground
  • Steep, unstable bluff edges

Safety & planning

Emergency Info

Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Kirk Creek.

Food Storage

Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.

Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Kirk Creek · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides

Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.

Kirk Creek FAQ

Do all Kirk Creek Campground sites have an ocean view?

Yes. The Forest Service describes it as "an oceanside paradise, with each site overlooking the Pacific Ocean," on a bluff at an elevation of about 100 feet.

Is there water at Kirk Creek Campground?

No. There is no water, no utility hookups and no public showers. Vault toilets are provided throughout the campground, and each site has a table and a campfire ring with grill.

How do you get to Kirk Creek Campground?

Recreation.gov currently notes that Highway 1 is temporarily closed from the Monterey area, so the approach is from the south: from San Luis Obispo, take Highway 1 north for about 60 miles. Check the road status before you travel.

How many people can stay at a Kirk Creek campsite?

A maximum of 8 people and 2 vehicles per site. The base fee covers 6 people and 1 vehicle; each extra person is $10 per night and a second vehicle is $10 per night.

Is there a minimum stay at Kirk Creek Campground?

Yes: 2 consecutive nights, and 3 nights over holiday weekends. The maximum stay is 14 consecutive nights.

Can you see whales from Kirk Creek Campground?

Yes. From November to February each year whales migrate along the coast and can frequently be viewed from the campground.

What is there to hike near Kirk Creek Campground?

The Vicente Flats Trailhead is directly across the highway and leads into the Ventana Wilderness. There is also a short walk from the campground down to a rocky beach, and Sand Dollar Beach is 5 miles south.

Kirk Creek trail conditions and trip reports

Trail Conditions

No active conditions reported

Sign in to report trail conditions.

Questions(1)

Why does Kirk Creek Campground book out so fast, and how do you still get a site?

0 votes·1 answer·Jul 1

Trip Reports(2)

Write Report
🏔️

Kirk Creek Campground Late Summer Window: Booking Big Sur's Best Bluff Sites

Kirk Creek

4.0
Jul 31 - Aug 2, 2026
Kirk Creek Campground in April: Big Sur's bluff camp in green-season form

Kirk Creek Campground in April: Big Sur's bluff camp in green-season form

Kirk Creek

5.0
Apr 10-12, 2026

Alternatives to a Kirk Creek permit

  • Similar ExperiencePermit required

    Plaskett Creek Campground

    The nearest alternative on the same stretch of Highway 1, a short drive south and close to Sand Dollar Beach.

    Tradeoffs

    Set back from the bluff so the ocean views are not the same, but it is the obvious fallback when Kirk Creek is full.

  • Same AreaPermit required

    Ventana Wilderness - Vicente Flat

    Backpack into the Ventana Wilderness from the Vicente Flats Trailhead, directly across the highway from the campground.

    Tradeoffs

    Trades the ocean-view car camping for real backcountry, starting from the same parking area.

  • Easier AlternativePermit required

    Nacimiento Campground

    Inland on the Nacimiento Road, the paved scenic route that starts across from Kirk Creek and climbs to 2,500 feet.

    Tradeoffs

    No ocean view, but it sits above the marine layer, which in summer can mean sun instead of fog.

Where to stay near Kirk Creek

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