Los Padres/Kirk Creek

Anie Buczek

Posting this as a warning to other potential campers. My husband and I tried to camp here last month and were met with a really rude camp host. It was our first time trying first come first serve camping. We were aware that this camp site is particularly competitive (especially in the summer months), so I scoured Reddit and the internet for advice on how to have the best chance at securing a spot. All advice pointed to getting there early which is what we did. We were lucky enough to come across a camper in the FCFS spot that was packing up. We asked him if he was leaving and he said yes and offered us his parking pass and spot (with the mention that we should talk to the camp host before doing anything). I went over to ask her how it works and she was rude and dismissive. I'm sure it's an annoying campsite to manage because of how busy it is, but I approached her very gently just wanting to understand how we sign up seeing as that we were clearly there first and she told me (with an attitude) we'd have to wait until 12pm. I understand that the rules are probably rules there, but there are kinder ways to communicate. I went back to the site where we had parked for the time being and told my husband. I was afraid to ask any other follow up questions (will you keep in mind that we were truly here first? what should we do at 12pm? line up? etc) We chalked her rudeness up to it being early (around 9am). We decided to stay put until later when we felt like we could ask her for some more clarity. My husband went to use the restroom around 10:30am. He went to read the sign at the front of the campground to see if he could figure out what we were supposed to do. She approached him with a rude "Can I help you?" He explained that he was trying to understand the process of the first come first serve campsites. She rudely told him "you have to physically leave the premises" until 12pm. Again, understood if that's the rule but there are better ways to communicate. He tried to ask follow ups but she repeated he had to physically leave the premises and so we did. We showed back up at 11:15 or so and sure enough a bunch of hopeful campers started approaching her one by one and getting turned away. We were getting really nervous that she wouldn't remember we were there first or wouldn't care or would give the site away to someone else because we upset her by showing up early. At around 11:30 a few of us started standing near the entrance afraid to actually enter the campground. We all shared the same story of her being really rude. Luckily, my parents were over at Plaskett Creek at the same time and had a totally opposite experience. Their camp host was super kind and accommodating and willing to help them find a spot. We ended up leaving Kirk to go to Plaskett which was plenty beautiful and we were happy to not have to deal with the camp host any longer. I hope some of my fellow campers were able to get a spot despite the camp hosts' rudeness. I am not really sure why this is their system. It seems like it would be less annoying for the camp host to register the first two groups that arrive, but just a warning I would have liked when I was planning my trip.

Michelle Kohnen

Gorgeous campsite with beautiful views no matter which site you end up with! At night the stars are unreal, I’ve never seen so many in my life! I didn’t see many reviews on this part of the campsite, and if I had we could have come more prepared. There’s no running water on the site, and the bathrooms are outhouses with no plumbing. Which is understandable for being on a location so close to the ocean with stunning views, but just want future guests to be more aware than I was! It was difficult to use the bathroom as it was during the summer and the bathrooms were full of flies. I will say I’m not an extreme camper so this felt more intense for me. Also you will lose service driving along the coast of Big Sur so download maps ahead of times, luckily this campsite is very well marked and easy to find!

Caroline Gray

Suggestion: the sites which only have dirt (which is rock hard) should be for RV’s (like site 25). The sites which have grass should only be for tent/car camping. Sleeping in a tent on rock rocky dirt is very uncomfortable. It was very frustrating to look at a campground of 90% RV’s where the people didn’t use their huge grassy spots at all. While I’m in a tent at a site with zero grass basically sleeping on a patch of dirt road. The giant bushes need to be trimmed down so site 25 has a view of the ocean. Currently it has zero view unless you practically sit on the paved loop road to see the ocean around the bushes. This campground is only as good as the site you get. People think there are tons of no-shows, but the host told me no-shows are exceptionally rare. What you’re seeing at the seemingly “empty” sites are people staying one night who arrive late at night and leave early in the morning (which seems a waste since the whole point is the daytime ocean view). I asked to switch to one of the several “empty” sites with soft grass and fantastic ocean views and was told they were all booked. 🤷‍♀️ Like all campgrounds, no one should be allowed to blast music and disturb everyone else. Everyone comes here for peace and quiet. This should be stopped by the camp hosts. Use headphones so you don’t ruin it for everyone.

David Mahoney

Kirk Creek is a very special campsite in Big Sur. The sites are relatively private and large. The nearby hiking trails are absolutely spectacular. The sunsets and scenery are some of the most epic I have seen any where in the world. While remote the facilities are adequate and one needs to go in with the understanding that this experience is a bit more roughing it than one might experience from some of the other campsites throughout Big Sur. If pit toilets are not your thing bring a portable toilet and shower setup. These small creature comforts can help to elevate the experience if they are important to you. Most of all soak in the beautiful place you are in and appreciate how fortunate we are to have the opportunity to experience places like this.

David Martin

Kirk Creek Campground is one of those rare places that lives up to the hype, even when you’ve been on the road for a long time. As a full time van lifer, you get used to filtering spots fast. Most either lean too crowded, too restricted, or too forgettable. Kirk Creek cuts through all of that immediately. The setup is simple. You’re parked on a bluff directly above the Pacific, with wide open views from almost every site. No trees blocking your line of sight. No buildings in the way. Just coastline, cliffs, and water stretching out in both directions. It feels exposed in the best way. This is not a luxury campground. It’s closer to primitive. No water, no hookups and no cell service. Strictly minimal but amazing at the same time.