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Big Sur, CA

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Kirk Creek Campground

4.3 (195 reviews)

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Ginger D.

Camped a lot of places in my 34 years of life.. but nothing compares to Kirk creek! The views... are you kidding me! They are so insane! You are literally sleeping and camping right next to the ocean! Stayed here 3 nights and fell asleep to the ocean waves! Just wow! A few heads up- no water, no showers, no sinks. Pack everything in, and stop leaving trash out! Also no bear lockers- this place is filled with savage raccoons that are everywhere and they will break into your stuff if it is not locked away in the car! A beautiful campground- located on the south part of Big Sur! A beach is 4 miles down the road!

Site 29.  A little slope on this site
Najelle J.

Site 29! Had a great stay here. Stayed April 7th and 8th. First day and night were clear and we were able to see so many stars at night. As far as the campsite it self, i was a little scared that it would be too sloped, but it wasnt bad at all. We used a tent and set it up on the left side and kept the table/bench in the middle. We still had awesome views of the water. Everything was so green it looked like it was a filtered photograph. You could see the vault bathroom from our site but we couldn't smell it. The smell was very prominent though around the area where the host was staying. Bring a bucket, diapers (to soak up the pee), and thick plastic bags if you dont want to use their vault bathrooms. We didnt encounter any raccoons personally, but did see their prints all over our cooler (locked) and table in the mornings. We saw a groundhog and it spent an hour digging up a hole. Firewood was $15 a bundle. we have verizon for our cell service and had no signal at all. It actually went out about 20 miles before arriving to the campground. We were able to use the satellite option on our phones to send out a couple of text messages. Wish we lived closer cause the drive from Orange County was long. Enjoy the photos

Where the beach trail takes you
Krystal R.

We had campsite 17 It is massive! Great if you have a big party! We were able to set up our 6 man tent, our "kitchen" pop up, and our bathroom tent! They have cemented bathrooms No showers No water spickets Very clean campsite Our camping host was amazing. His name is Jesse. They do sell firewood at this campsite There's a little trail that takes you to the beach Our site particular had a GREAT VIEW the only downside like I said before was the uneven ground and we were right next to the camp host. But he was cool, so it wasn't bad

Elaine L.

Absolutely breathtaking views here. One of the most amazing campgrounds in California. It's difficult to get reservations, but absolutely worth trying to get them. And worthy of repeat visits. The campground is open year round. There's no running water, but the outhouses don't smell. There's firewood for sale here. Site 31 is also home to some raccoons, so be wary of your food, there are no food storage boxes here so make sure you put everything away into your car overnight. One was bold enough to even go into the hatchback and try to open the cooler! It wasn't scary, more entertaining than anything. There's a short trail in the campground as well. It's easy access to Sand Dollar Beach, Limekiln State Park, McWay Falls and Pfeiffer Beach (45 minute drive from Kirk Creek Campground). Makes for a nice weekend and a nice road trip in California up the coast. There can be road closures that prevent access to the more famous areas (like this time to McWay Falls and Pfeiffer Beach), so it's good to check before heading out to avoid disappointment. Anyways, an amazing campground, you won't regret it if you get a spot here.

Alan B.

Amazing campground with amazing view. Camp host were helpful and gave us the information we needed. Access down to the coast was a quick little stroll but the view is what we all come here for.

Site 22 Roof Top Camping
Aaron V.

I've been dreaming of camping at Kirk Creek for about 4 years now after stumbling across a YouTube video that highlighted the epic views and serene atmosphere. Fast forward to a couple of months ago, I got lucky and snagged site 22 due to a cancellation. It's the last spot along the bluff and, from what I could tell, the only site with some shade thanks to a lone tree. You get a fire pit, grassy area, and a bench--all with an incredible, uninterrupted view of the ocean. I was a bit concerned after reading some reviews about raccoons wreaking havoc at night, but I didn't experience any wildlife drama (thankfully). Coming from SoCal, it felt similar to beach camping, but with a more rugged, isolated vibe. While Kirk Creek is breathtaking, if I return to Big Sur, I'm doing river camping at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park or Fernwood cause that never gets old. That said, if you can get a reservation at Kirk Creek, especially site 22, grab it!

Camp site 17 Kirk Creek.

Had Campsite 17, May 2025 Had a great view and very large area. Camp host was very friendly and accommodating. No water at camp but available 5 miles south. Rabbits o'plenty and raccoons climbed all over my truck. Sea otters can be seen if you take the trail down towards the Beach. Be aware of poison oak everywhere.

Site 21
Sandee L.

It'll take a stroke of luck to get a site at this campground. You'll either have to plant yourself in front of the computer at 6:59am six months prior to your desired date while frantically pushing the *book now* button, or you'll time it just right and swoop on a cancellation. Either way, totally worth it! This campground is often listed as one of the top campgrounds in California. It doesn't get better in terms of location: situated on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Million dollar views at $35 a night. Our site (21) had a fire pit, grill and lots of space! We shared with a few resident bunnies who weren't intimidated by us at all. One night, the two of us saw a shadow float down from a tree and immediately turned on our flashlights to investigate. It wan owl trying to catch a gopher! What an experience! No cell service. No water. Pit toilets only. All of that didn't dissuade me, and many others, evidently. Put this on your bucket list.

Daniel Z.

One heck a drive from San Francisco but 100% well worth it. We were in campground #24 and the views were still amazing. Good luck obtaining a reserve! They seem to be booked months I'm advance, we single got Lucky.

Beautiful campsite! Highly recommend staying here, Michael ( Camp Ranger ) was very friendly and informative - had plenty of nearby recommendations. Would definitely come back!

4/23/19
Jenni M.

Breathtaking views of the crashing Pacific Ocean waves and the sun setting down on an April Tuesday (4/23/19). There is no phone service here. Glory to all the gods in all religions. If you really have to have your WI-FI, the nice host on duty told us that the Lucia Lodge charges $3 for an hour. It's a short drive further north. Nature is your religion here at Kirk Creek Campground. The stars at night! Only downside is the noise from cars on Highway 1 on until about 10PM, but not many during my slumber spell. Three raccoons snuck up on my husband and me while we were finishing our bottle of wine and letting the campfire die. Scared the curse words right out of my mouth. For me, they're at a cross between "stealthy little creeps" and "cute lil' scavenger gangsters." They scattered as soon as we jumped up, and came back like 15 minutes later. They didn't find anything at our campground, but the next morning we saw pawprints on our upopened cooler. (It had only cream sodas in it. Lol.) I hope you get a site that is oceanside. (They are reservable online, but those go fast - not sure about the others.) That way you can walk along the paths to view whales passing by. Sites are fairly close to one another, but not too bad and there is quite a bit of shrubs between the sites along the cliff. Firewood is $12 (yikes) and starter is $5, CASH ONLY at the host's site. Primitive camping. Pit toilets. Dogs allowed. I'm a fan.

Footbridge on short trail to beach
Omayra O.

I was aiming for Julia Pfeiffer but the sun was setting on me so I stopped here on a Thursday night with no reservations. I was only staying for one night, so I was lucky to find a free site. I stayed in #30, which is closest to the highway (furthest from the beach) but has great views because of a slight elevation and you can still hear the sound of the waves in the distance. You are pretty close to your neighbors, but everyone was quiet and respectful. Many people had dogs on leashes and there were families with children. Every one was well behaved friendly. Sites are $35/night. I saw the camp hosts but didn't interact with them much. There are pit toilets with ample toilet paper (I was there on a Wednesday night, weekends might be different). Each site has a fire/BBQ pit, a picnic table, and space for one car. Since there were signs warning us about raccoons, I kept all of my food in my car. I took a walk towards the more secluded walk-in sites and all of those had lockable food containers, which is nice. I stayed in mid-March and loved all the white calalily's blooming within the campground. There is poison oak everywhere, but just be mindful of where you walk and wear long pants and tops. I saw MANY rabbits near my site, #30 borders lots of trees and shrubs for bunnies to hide in, but they didn't really bother me. It was a bit difficult for me to find a truly flat space for my tent in #30, but I did ok. I did the hike down to the rocky beach. The hike itself was lovely, you cross Kirk Creek on a small "footbridge," but the beach was just rocks that morning, so I didn't stay on the beach very long. It was nice to listen to the sound of the creek meeting the ocean, but it was difficult to spend much time there, balancing on the tips of rocks. When I visit again, I would explore the inland Kirk Creek trail that starts just across the hwy from the campground. In the end I am really glad that I didn't drive on to Julia Pfeiffer. When I drove past it on my way home, the park was closed! Apparently they had some severe storm damage this spring and are closed until further notice (3/19).

Great campground. Located right on the California coast, this campground is probably one of the prettiest in the state. Camping here means you are basically cut off from the rest of the world: no wifi, no cell signal, just you and the waves. Each campground has the basic amenities, fire pit, table, parking space but no running water in the normal non-trailer sites. Bathrooms were decently clean. It is quite cold here so bring a jacket. I did have an intense allergic reaction to some kind of plant or pollen in the air here that made us have to leave early so just be careful if you tend to get allergies and bring benadryl.

Camp site 32

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Very small campground, camp host is not friendly, only gave it 2 stars instead of 1 due to location, nothing special.

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Ask the Community - Kirk Creek Campground

Are there water faucets in campground?

There's no running water on the campground.

Online reservations show that it's open but when I call the phone number it says all the campsites are closed because of the fires, has anyone been within the last 2 months that knows it's actually open?

I was wondering if anyone can tell me exactly what I would need to do in order to have a better chance at getting a first come first serve spot? I know get there early but how early? And what days would I have a better chance? TIA 😊

I think you have a better chance at claiming a reserved spot that goes unclaimed. If no one shows up by either 3p or 5p, something like that it's free game. You can get some really nice spots if someone doesn't show. But beware the raccoons!

Re: COVID closure: Online it states that Kirk creek campgrounds are closed until June 1. Does…

Will reopen June 15

Is there showers available?

No. But if you drive 15 mins north there's a larger campground that does have showers. Watch out for ticks. Use repellent. I got Lyme Disease after staying at camp site 21 three weeks ago.

Are dogs welcome?

Yes

I saw there is a fire restriction in that vicinity. Can you burn wood logs? Inside the fire ring? What's the main means of cooking? Thanks

Fire ban is in effect. Propane stoves are all that's permitted within certain campgrounds. Kirk creek is one that it's permitted with a propane permit

Is it possible to obtain a campsite as a walk-in? Trying to figure out what my odds are to find a site mid-week for one night during off season.?

Pretty hard, it's always full

Do they have any first come first serve sites and do they accommodate RVs?

There are four first come sites. Two of them share a drive way and would not be suitable to rv or vans. All of them can be rented for three days at a time up to two weeks. First come sites, no shows, cancellations etc will be sold at 2pm (check out… 

Hi has anyone stayed at site 31 at Kirk Creek before? We plan on camping beginning of June. Any tips?

Watch out for raccoons.

I understand Kirk Creek has no potable water. But is there a water available for filtering or boiling? Is Kirk creek easily accessible? Thanks for any insights!

Plan on bringing in your own water or purchasing water from the camphost. Cash only $5 a gallon jug.

What is the convenience store called closest to the campground?/ Is it accessible from the campground right now?

Lucia is the nearest small store. It's four miles north of the campground.

I see that Kirk creek campground is temporarily closed. Is it likely that this will be cleared up and reopened by June?

Attention: Kirk Creek Campground and Plaskett Creek Campgrounds are now open. Hwy 1 is only accessible by vehicle from Nacimiento Fergusson Road via G14 from Hwy 101 through Lockwood. Nacimiento/Ferguson road is a winding, mountain road.… 

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Review Highlights - Kirk Creek Campground

“Our campsite was closer to the highway however close to trees and was surprisingly green even in late summer.”

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Limekiln State Park - Best campsite at LimeKiln

Limekiln State Park

4.4(146 reviews)
1.9 mi

This place is terrible, stay away (so I will have less issues trying to book for next time)…read more Joking aside, this place is gorgeous. On the RV side they have two bathrooms and a shower, and it's a short walk to the ocean where a natural stream creates a lagoon on the sand before pouring out into the ocean. I would come here every year if I could get a spot!

I love camping here. It's been years and coming back recently was as magical as always…read more I've only camped in the ocean sites due to having a VW camper van. The other sites are tent camping only. I must say, the ocean sites are very snug and limited in space. If you're looking for a spacious camping site with privacy, you're not going to get here. And not all of the sites are the same size so if you have a trailer and a truck, you're gonna have to really be choosy at which is a site to book. This is right underneath the underpass so you're going to hear road noise. But to be honest, a lot of the sound was drowned out by the nearby stream and the ocean. It was walking distance to what felt like a private beach. Since the last time I've been here it looks like they made a mini dam with the running stream creating a mini swimming cove with crystal clear water. There are no electrical hook ups but the bathroom has running water and hot showers available. The bathrooms can get freaking disgusting from the day use visitors, but they do clean it every morning. And let's not forget the beautiful drive to get here. Magical.

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Limekiln State Park - Facebook.com/DavidPasillasPhoto

Facebook.com/DavidPasillasPhoto

Limekiln State Park - Da Pose

Da Pose

Limekiln State Park - Another Da Pose

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Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

4.4(413 reviews)
24.2 mi

Pfeiffer Beach looks and feels magical and is one of our absolute favorite places to come every…read moreyear. It's where the forest meets the sea and the views are breathtaking Between the huge rock formations, purple sand, and the famous keyhole where you can see the ocean through the rock, it's such a beautiful place. There are also tide pools to explore and we've seen tons of starfish, sea urchins, and other little sea creatures. The everyone loves it :) The beach feels so different from your normal California beach it doesn't feel real.. it's so beautiful. It's definitely one of those places pictures don't do justice AT ALL !! If you're passing through Big Sur this is a MUST stop.. Trust me, you won't regret it Just be prepared for the drive down to the beach. The road is VERY narrow, almost one lane in some areas, and you'll have to move to the side to let other cars pass. There are some tight turns too, so just go slow and pay attention, especially with cars coming the opposite direction. It's a little adventure getting down there but completely worth it!

One of California's bigger and more popular state parks, rightfully so. Not as touristy as Yosemite…read morebut this is on a bigger scale than most other Cali State Parks. I ventured here once before in my early 20s back in my school boy days and felt it was time to see it again with decades worth of a wiser perspective. And I was rewarded in spades. This park is about 30 miles or so south of Carmel on Highway 1, which in my opinion is one of the most glorious stretch of road to drive. Even though it is only 30 miles or so, it still takes almost an hour to travel from Carmel. The road winds around through many curves and undulations so you simply cannot drive freeway speeds here, nor should you want to. Enjoy the views, roll down the window and take in that coastal air, play your favorite tunes and just soak in the moment. Once at the park there are campsites, as well as cabins and even a full service lodge for those that don't want to rough it at all. You are now in mountainous terrain so lots of trees, a big creek and lots of hiking trails. I did a 3 day camp stay and loved it. They keep the park clean, maintain the restrooms and patrol the grounds frequently. Even though they have almost 200 campsites available, they spread it out nice so not everyone is in the same area. I could sometimes hear my neighbors but they were never in my direct view. That is a big plus for me when rating camp sites. People can also just get a day pass and enjoy the trails and creek without having to stay. My camping pass also got me to see a couple other California State Parks nearby on the same trip, so well worth the price of admission. Very lively with animal life which are unfortunately very used to humans. Squirrels and blue jays will not be shy to investigate what they can scavenge so do not leave any food unattended. Upon setting up camp I had a ziplock bag of trail mix on the picnic bench along with the rest of my gear. While I was setting up the tent with me somewhat close by, a stellar jay swooped in and pecked at the bag. It didn't take it but ripped a good hole in the bag. So just a big fyi to keep your food on guard/lock. The big creek runs through many of the sites. Some parts are mellow whilst other parts the water rushes pretty good. I was about 50 yards from the creek so I couldn't see it but I could hear it rolling through the valley. It was very relaxing to hear the cool water rolling downstream, whether at night or waking up at sunrise. And a myriad of birds will contribute with their morning songs, which makes for the best alarm clock. TRUST A little too big for my preference but still beautiful enough that I can revisit every other year. And just outside the park are the California coastline with Highway 1 carving through it. Some of the most breathtaking views Cali has to offer. Pfeiffer thanks for the reacquaintance and the confirmation that you are still indeed one of California's top gems.

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Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Family Camping September 12-14, 2025

Family Camping September 12-14, 2025

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Family Camping September 12-14, 2025

Family Camping September 12-14, 2025

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Family Camping September 12-14, 2025  THE JOY LUCK CLUB

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Family Camping September 12-14, 2025 THE JOY LUCK CLUB

Jade Cove Beach - Base of Jade cove

Jade Cove Beach

4.4(28 reviews)
5.1 mi

What an amazing hidden treasure. Hard to find and if you know you know. Not easy to find no markers…read moreits about 800 feet south of sand dollar beach. Hike through some poison ivy into a cool meadow over looking the beautiful cove. Now finding your way down is no joke adventurous people only. Need to find the cliff with the ropes and hold on tight as you cascade the cliff. Once at the bottom you feel amazing like you conquered a hidden secret Now climbing back up I thought would be tough however climbing back up is much easier than going down. This is not for the weak but totally worth it. Highly recommend. Jade well thats the color of the water and if thats what you're searching for I suggest diving for it.

Fun, but getting there can be tricky. I used the AllTrails app to find Jade Cove. I then opened up…read morethe Jade Cove map and looked for the blue dot (my car) going along highway 1. I pulled over at the trail marker.. It worked perfectly. The best part of this experience was the short but precarious hike down to the cove. You'll be required to use a rope to hike down to the beach and back up again. The rope is a permanent fixture. Kids seven and over could do it without any assistance. When at the beach you'll see a lot of green rocks, mostly serpentine. The rule is that you can take anything you like as long as the "tide" ocean is able to touch it. The tidal range goes all the way to the cliffside. - There is no highway sign for jade cove anymore. That was taken down many years ago. - Check the tides and try to come here at low tide. - If you can, when you're at the bottom of the rope hike southward to the next cove. Better rocks over there.

Photos
Jade Cove Beach - Rope leading up to trail

Rope leading up to trail

Jade Cove Beach - Jade cove. Color of the water

Jade cove. Color of the water

Jade Cove Beach - At he bottom

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At he bottom

Prewitt Ridge - Please be careful with fire

Prewitt Ridge

3.3(18 reviews)
4.4 mi

I have camped up here a number of times and always find it to be so beautiful and well worth the…read moredrive. The views are incredible. The flies can be a bummer but at some point I just ignore them. My biggest pet peeve with this place is some of the people and the way they treat this treasure. Just because you can make payments on a Toyota Forerunner with a Tepui Tent, does not qualify you as an outdoor master. Be respectful of the environment, other people and the rules. On my last trip, the 4th through 6th of July, I saw way too much toilet paper sitting around. Bring a shovel and bury your shit and toilet paper. It is gross and shows that your parents didn't raise you very well if you leave it like that. While up there I also saw a number of people having Fires when it clearly states, NO FIRES!. Don't be and entitled silicon valley ass. The rules do apply to you too! If you start a fire up there you WILL go to prison. Enjoy the view and the beauty. Be a good person!

I did an overnight motorcycle ride with a buddy, from the SF Bay Area to Prewitt Ridge and WOW! The…read moreride south along Hwy 1 heading there is spectacular, but the views from the ridge are next level! The 5+ miles of silty, rough dirt road heading up to the ridge was a little challenging on street bikes, but we managed just fine. The views from the ridge are breathtaking in every direction, and it was very pleasant to see very little trash laying about. Clearly, this is a campground area that is mainly used by seasoned, "Pack Your Trash" campers, which is awesome. Hope it stays that way. We went in mid Fall during a very brief heat wave, and the small flies were annoying, but they don't bite. We just covered our faces with buffs and slept under netting. That was literally the only drawback. PROS: Awesome Panoramic Views FREE to camp! Many flat camping areas to choose from No Trash lying around Weather is usually comfortable Many trees to find shade under CONS: Some seasons have annoying, small flies. They don't bite though TIPS: If you're heading there from the North and you need provisions, stop at the Big Sur Lodge Store. They have EVERYTHING you may need Dirt road leading up to the ridge is not maintained (much) and may be tough to navigate for novice drivers. If muddy, may need 4WD and off road tires Bring a mosquito net No water access, so you have to bring your own No bathrooms - Bury your #2! *No open campfires allowed during the warm months (but you won't need it for warmth anyway) Jet boils and contained flame are OK PACK YOUR TRASH!

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Prewitt Ridge - View at sunset.

View at sunset.

Prewitt Ridge
Prewitt Ridge

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San Simeon State Park & Campground - Hearst beach

San Simeon State Park & Campground

3.6(163 reviews)
34.1 mi

I've stayed here a couple times when I'm in the area. The campground is well taken care of…read more Bathrooms are cleaned daily and the cleaning people do a great job. The Rangers in the kiosk and law enforcement are professional and helpful with answers to questions we had about the area. The $10 extra car fee is per night. When you reserve the site 1 car is included. Cars after that are $10 each night. 2 cars allowed at a site. 1 extra car in over flow is allowed. They also free parking on the road. It is clear on the kiosk and online reservations. 10 days stay/30 day max and they do track your stays. No WiFi in park. They have free WiFi if an emergency at kiosk and you're able to check your email or look online there. Be prepared for no internet or cell service within the park. Campfire wood is sold at camphost. They are super friendly and helpful. We appreciate the water & dump station. All dry camping. No electric available. Generator hours is 10am to 8pm. At night you can hear the ocean from Washburn. No dogs allowed on the beach, but there are places nearby. Ask for a list. We saw whales, dolphins, turrens, an owl and the zebras.

Nice as far as it had friendly host, regularly cleaned bathrooms, and shower availability. But be…read morecareful about getting campsites closer to the water - it gets windy during the day and can be a little miserable. The upper campground - Washburn is further from the water but with nice views of the mountains. In between is nice too, just avoid the high hundreds numbers - 131. 132,133 for wind. Beach access was cool. Lots of green rocks and driftwood for kids to build with. They also had an amphitheater and we saw a ranger talk on great white sharks. Also a nice home base to go your Hearst castle or do wine tasting. Cambria and Harmony are cute nearby towns to see.

Photos
San Simeon State Park & Campground - April 18, 2025 - Washburn Day Use Area picnic tables are next to Highway 1.

April 18, 2025 - Washburn Day Use Area picnic tables are next to Highway 1.

San Simeon State Park & Campground
San Simeon State Park & Campground

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Riverside Campground & Cabins - RV Camp site #33 view facing the entrance

Riverside Campground & Cabins

3.9(209 reviews)
25.7 mi

We had a peaceful stay and really appreciated being surrounded by nature. Our cabin was spacious…read moreand could comfortably fit 4 to 5 people. We could see the river from our window and hear the water at night, which was soothing. When I booked online, I specifically chose the cabin with a kitchenette, private bathroom, and fireplace. The bathroom was nice and clean, but I was a little disappointed that there was only a mini fridge. I was expecting at least a microwave and coffee maker. The bedding looked clean, but it felt a little dated and didn't smell as fresh as I would have expected. Overall, we loved the peaceful surroundings, the river, and relaxing by the fireplace in the evenings. With a few small updates and clearer amenity details, it would be an even better stay.

We booked a cabin recently, received confirmation, and showed up after hours. The campground is…read morenice enough and in a great location, but when we showed up at 9 pm our name was posted on a white board telling us where to go. Our assigned cabin was not made up. No sheets blankets or pillows on the bed, musty/dank smell, refrigerator was on the patio for some strange reason, there was a space heater left running in the kitchen sink, random box of dishes in the corner, and we had zero clue what to do. There was nobody to help us, reception was spotty so we couldn't make a call, and ultimately we left. Clearly this cabin should not have been rented. We drove 45 minutes to a hotel and had to pay $600/night because there were no other options nearby. Worst of all, after emailing the manager about what happened and nicely requesting a refund, we got no response. No apology, no acknowledgment, no refund, nothing. We had to contact the credit card company to reverse the charge. Not good. Not well run. Stay away.

Photos
Riverside Campground & Cabins - Site #6 plus my dorky husband and cute dog

Site #6 plus my dorky husband and cute dog

Riverside Campground & Cabins - Fire pits have bbq grates

Fire pits have bbq grates

Riverside Campground & Cabins - View from cabin 2 fire pit area

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View from cabin 2 fire pit area

Kirk Creek Campground - campgrounds - Updated October 2026

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