Camping at Kirk Creek Campground in Big Sur
One of my favorite things about traveling is how quickly a carefully planned trip can turn into something completely different.
We had planned to spend the weekend after Christmas camping in Joshua Tree National Park. Since it's close to home, it's usually our go-to destination whenever we need a quick overnight escape. This time, we were planning to stay a few nights so we could spend even more time hiking our favorite trails. Then, while driving home from Christmas with family, we checked the weather forecast.
Freezing temperatures in the desert didn't sound all that appealing, so one idea led to another, and before long we had completely changed our plans. Instead of heading east to Joshua Tree, we packed for the California coast and set off for Big Sur.
Of course, planning a last-minute trip to Big Sur comes with one big challenge: nearly every campground requires reservations, and those campsites are often booked well in advance. We packed with the possibility that we might not find an available campsite and could end up hiking into a walk-in site instead.
Plaskett Creek or Kirk Creek?
Our first stop was Plaskett Creek Campground. It was a really nice campground, with plenty of tree cover and a more sheltered feel, but it was also quite busy. Since we were hoping for a quieter camping experience, we decided to continue north to Kirk Creek Campground, which had been our first choice all along.
One of the biggest advantages of Kirk Creek is its location on the ocean side of Highway 1. But, it is a lot more exposed. The campground has fewer trees than Plaskett Creek, so the campsites aren't quite as private.
Site 24
We completely lucked out. When we checked in with the camp host, Site 24 had just become available for the night.
The site sits near the lower corner of the campground with an incredible view overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The only small drawback is that the campground trash and recycling bins are nearby, although that turned out to be more entertaining than inconvenient. During the night, a few curious raccoons spent some time investigating the bins, along with our container of firewood. Thankfully, none of them seemed interested in bothering us, but we were glad we secured most of our belongings in the car rather than out on the table!
Site 20
The next morning started with breakfast burritos cooked over a small campfire while we watched the ocean. We had hoped to stay in Site 24 for another night, but it had already been reserved. After talking with the camp host, we found another available campsite just down the road.
Site 20 turned out to be even better. It brought us even closer to the bluff overlooking the water, with another spectacular view of the coastline.
As evening approached, strong winds began rolling in off the Pacific. We called it a night a little earlier than planned and climbed into the tent while the wind continued to build outside. Sometime overnight, the rain arrived. The storm lasted for several hours, but our Marmot Limelight kept us completely dry. Waking up to raindrops on the tent while staying dry inside made for a memorable first camping rainstorm.
Tips for Camping at Kirk Creek
Learn to identify poison oak before your visit. It grows throughout the campground and along the trail leading down to the beach.
Don't leave food unattended. The local raccoons are more than happy to investigate anything left out at night.
Take the trail down to the rocky beach if you have time. The climb is worth it for the views, just be careful to avoid the poison oak along the trail.
Access conditions in Big Sur can change because of storms, road repairs, and trail work. Check the official park and Caltrans websites before visiting.
