How to Get a Kirk Creek Permit
Every site here sits on a bluff about 100 feet above the Pacific, with an ocean view from the tent door.
Check Kirk Creek permit availabilityBase fee covers 6 people and 1 vehicle; +$10 per extra person per night, +$10 for a second vehicle per night
Permit Cost
About Kirk Creek
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 approximately 60 miles. Check the road status before you commit to the drive.
Kirk Creek is the rare Forest Service campground where the view is the whole point - 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 Experience
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.
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.
What to Expect
Spacious, open, grassy single-family sites about 100 feet above the Pacific
An ocean view from every site, with outstanding sunrises and sunsets
Vault toilets, a table and a campfire ring with grill at each site
No utility hookups, no water, no public showers and no cell service
Whale migration visible from the campground November through February
The Vicente Flats Trailhead into the Ventana Wilderness directly across the highway
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Permit Requirements
Maximum stay is 14 consecutive nights
Minimum stay is 2 consecutive nights, and 3 nights over holiday weekends
Maximum 8 people and 2 vehicles per site
The base fee covers 6 people and 1 vehicle; each additional person is $10 per night and a second vehicle is $10 per night
Fishing permits are required for anyone over age 16
Dogs are allowed on Sand Dollar Beach as long as they are leashed and waste is picked up
Gear & Preparation
Required Gear
- •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
Hazards & Safety
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
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.
Pro Tips
Check the Highway 1 status before you drive - the route from Monterey has been closed and the approach is from San Luis Obispo
Bring every drop of water you will need; there is none at the campground
Book with the two-night minimum in mind, or three over a holiday weekend
Come between November and February if you want to watch whales from your site
The base fee covers 6 people and 1 vehicle - budget $10 a night for each extra person and for a second vehicle
Poison oak is abundant here, so cover your legs on the Vicente Flats trail
Summer fog sits on the coast while Nacimiento Road, right across the highway, climbs above it into the sun
100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience
This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Kirk Creek permit?
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Kirk Creek permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Kirk Creek?
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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.
How difficult is Kirk Creek?
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Anyone who wants an ocean-view campsite they can drive to, including families and first-time campers.
What gear do I need for Kirk Creek?
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Essential gear includes: 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.
Don't Miss Your Kirk Creek Permit
Cancellations happen every day. PermitSnag monitors Kirk Creek availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
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