Site 29! Had a great stay here. Stayed April 7th and 8th. First day and night were clear and we…read morewere 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

Got lucky and snagged spot #29. Knowing this was a well sought after camping experience, we were…read moreexcited. Overall, we enjoyed our stay at Kirk Creek Campground. Bathroom/ vault toilets were close to our site and pretty clean. We were told poison oak riddled the walking path to the beach so that was a bummer. Sand Dollar beach was just a couple mile drive south, so we visited there, as well as Limkiln and Pfeiffer Beach a ways north. There was some poison oak at our camp site as well. The camp owners said it's all over the camp ground due to the recent rains and climate. It would be nice if they could trim some of the poison oak back to enjoy a walking path to the beach. We have a toddler so I was worried she would get into poison oak but luckily never did. Nice views of the ocean but Site 29 had a lot of dirt, and less grass. Not the best campsite of the lot but not the worst. We had our eye on site #22... . NO sun coverage at 29, so bring a canopy! When the sun goes down... those raccoons are no joke and aren't shy. Put your food AWAY and don't leave your car doors/ trunks open or unattended. We didn't experience this but the camp owner said they will jump in your car looking for food!

We drove 100 minutes to the campground. The signage was clear. Set up the chairs and lights…read more Fine, there's a big ant hill where the tent would go, and sure, there's a bee and some flies who want our food- that's a given. But, a path led from the bathrooms INTO my spot (#74) so that was really lame. The noise at 9pm was like Bourbon Street, unnecessarily loud people echoing through the canyon, and no campfires were allowed. The only wild turkeys we saw were the bottles on the partiers next to us. We drove 100 minutes back home rather than stay.

We really enjoyed our stay at Pinnacles! We rented a tent cabin for the night and although it was…read morehuge, it was literally freezing. We had to buy a heater because the first night we woke up frosted. The facilities are clean and include bathrooms showers and places to wash your dishes. Lots of wildlife and friendly rangers. The day hikes were really fun, the caves were a unique experience. Highly recommend for newbies like us!

We had a privilege of going on a " Path of the Padres" guided tour here at Los Banos Creek…read moreReservoir on 2/25/2018 Sunday. There's no exit from 152 or I-5 to get to the reservoir , you'd have to drive to Volta Rd , then on to Canyon Rd to get to the boat launching area. A little winding but not too bad. A beautiful lake full of wildlife , while we were riding on a tour boat we saw a couple of ospreys , deer, koots, herriers , red-tails ( hawks). While we hiked our 9 -mile trail , we saw tons of cows, footprints of raccoons and deer, coyote scats . Bobcats and mountain lions been spotted here also. We learned history of Yokuts Indians , saw a could of acorn grinding holes on a rock, learned about the native plants such as wild cucumbers, Willow , dark blue elderberry trees and how the Yokuts Indians used to use them for medicinal purposes. We were welcomed by the nice cool breeze and the warm sun while we hiked but it was freezing cold while sitting in a boat. Luckily , we were prepared and had our down jackets , scarves and gloves. The tour is guided by two extremely knowledgeable and friendly park rangers. Richard has 14 year of experience in this area and very knowledgeable about the Yokuts Indian and the history of California. Nathan is a very skilled boat operator and friendly, skilled outdoor ranger. They made this experience much more memorable and fun. We hike an extra mile and a half to see the abandoned barn and houses by Basque immigrants. Old abandoned barns were pictureristique . It was fun watching the cows grazing up close and walk away as we approached them. Two of the ospreys we saw were so beautiful and majestic. They were perched proudly on the tree branches. Some area of the trail are very steep , narrow and slippery. We had to do some creek and river crossings. I wouldn't recommend it for small children but they do offer school trips there. Overall, a great outdoor experience of hiking , learning and a boat riding. $20 per person for the tour and you have to register through California State Park website. Tours only offered on the weekends during end of February to April.

Oct 2021 I stopped by the reservoir to fly RC Gliders. Jorge the ranger was very helpful letting…read moreme know where to go, unlocking the gate and welcoming this first timer to the park. Had a great time flying my Pittbull fully ballasted the first day in 15 + mph winds till sunset. Next day the lift wasn't so good, but I had a great time flying other planes. I told my other RC Glider buddies and they are stoked to make a trip up. Talking with Jorge and knowing this great park is so welcoming to RC Glider and RC planes, I will sure plan another trip out here in 2022.

Great campground! Very clean and organized, Stuff was very helpful. Multiple hiking routes to see…read morelots of amazing views and river to swim

My recommendation: go during the week. On a whim, I drove down Friday day and secured a last…read moreminute cancellation on a site. The first thing to know is that the facilities were...interesting. Apparently, roots have invaded the water pipes, which meant there was no functioning flush toilets or showers. Portable toilets had been brought in as a substitute. Unfortunately, these particular portables appeared to have been cleaned sometime during the Biden administration. Still, the campsite location itself was pleasant enough, and the day-use beach is only a minute or so from the campsites. It sits right on the Arroyo Seco River. Sounds wonderful, right? Well... then there are the crowds. Oh, the crowds. Friday the day-use area brought together people from very different backgrounds, lifestyles, and social environments. I genuinely appreciate diversity, and people are obviously entitled to enjoy the outdoors however they choose, but there's a difference between appreciating diversity and being completely comfortable with every choice being made around you. During my visit, there was always the smell of smoking, plenty of drinking, loud music, and a few too many people whose tattoo affiliations suggested a world considerably different from mine. None of that is inherently a problem, but at one point, I was sitting there staring off into the distance with local East Bay rap coming in one ear and sierreño con tuba coming in the other, imagining answers to the inevitable, "What are you staring at?" conversation. Beautiful scenery. Questionable relaxation. Then Friday night arrived, and apparently the campground had decided that sleep was optional. But before the DJs started, the daytime bugs had already made enjoying the campsite a challenge. The flying insects and yellowjackets were so persistent that sitting outside, especially trying to eat, wasn't really manageable. I eventually had to sequester myself inside the screened porch of my tent and wait until a little after sunset before I could comfortably sit outside again. And then, just when the bugs finally gave me a break, the campground decided it was time for the evening entertainment. Different DJs started providing the soundtrack from various campsites, so apparently sleep was optional too. Let's just say I didn't feel particularly bad making some extra noise breaking down my tent and starting my car at 7:00 AM the next morning. Then by 9:00 AM Saturday morning, the parking lot at the day use section was already closed. That's when the Gorge Trail experience began. The trail had been invaded by what appeared to be a small army of REI urban hikers carrying floaties, pool noodles, backpack coolers, and enough recreational equipment to suggest they were preparing for a river-based festival rather than a hike into the wilderness. To be fair, the swimming holes themselves are fantastic. Getting to them, however, apparently requires a minor in mountaineering. There are ropes dangling down the sides of the hills to help with the climb down, and back up after you've exhausted yourself being in the sun all day swimming. And yet, despite the crowds, questionable plumbing, late-night DJs, mountaineering requirements, and the occasional feeling that I had wandered onto the set of a reality show I didn't audition for, the place itself, without the people, is ruggedly gorgeous and genuinely fun. On a final positive note: the person working the gate was super helpful and friendly. Definitely appreciated that!

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.

Great Stop in Big Sur -- Beautiful Trails, Swimming Spots, & Scenic Views!…read moreThe drive along CA-1 to get here is reason enough to visit--absolutely stunning coastal views the entire way! Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park itself has a lot to offer. There are tons of trails to explore, though keep in mind that there isn't a whole lot of signage. The good news is that if you start from a central area, most paths naturally end up bringing you around in a loop at some point, so it's pretty easy to find your way back. A few takeaways from our visit: Water & Swimming: There are plenty of great spots along the rocks to dip in and swim, which is perfect on a warm day. Accommodations: Great setup whether you like roughing it or prefer comfort. Plenty of campsite options, plus the Lodge if you'd rather stay in a room. Pfeiffer Falls Trail: Honestly, this hike was pretty underwhelming. The falls were down to just a trickle when we went, but at least it was a decent walk to log some good steps! Overall, it's a lovely park with plenty to do. Just keep your expectations low for the waterfall if it hasn't rained recently, and enjoy the river, trees, and incredible coastal drive!

Had a great time, one of the team members named Brian was very helpful and very nice. he seemed…read morevery sincere and happy to help.

Booked one of the cabins for a long weekend with some friends for a relaxing retreat from the city…read more This place exceeded all expectations. From the start, the staff was friendly, helpful, and attentive. The manager, Layla, personally greeted us at check in and gave us a lot of great advice for the local area (where to eat, rent boats, etc). Whenever we stopped by the main office on our way in or out, she remembered my name and checked in to make sure everything was going great. We didn't run into any real issues, but I could tell they would have diligently solved them. Once we got to the cabin, the breathtaking view of the lake from the cabin and balconies was so serene. There was even a little private beach (only about 20 feet long) which we share with a few of our resort neighbors but was mostly empty. Perfect to dip our feet in the water and jump on the boogie board -- literally 2 minute walk from our balcony. The food options are a little limited, but the remote nature is one of the perks of this place, so I can't complain. What I ate from the local pizza joint and grocery was all tasty. The kitchen was well stocked with cooking and eating utensils so you could definitely take care of yourself with ease. The beds were comfortable and AC strong (both musts for me). Overall I can't really think of anything I'd change. Except maybe staying 2 nights longer.

Wow!!! Loved this campsite and the camp hosts here! Came up and it was my first camping by the…read morebeach and wow, it was beautiful. The campsites were clean and access to sand dollar beach was amazing. Make sure you go during low tide though so you can actually walk down to the beach! My partner and I talked to the camp hosts and they were so sweet and accommodating. They made sure the campsites were clean and checked in with us. We will 100% be back here this year since we had such a great experience. Thank you Katie and James!!

This is a dry Campsite with water faucets in between two campsites. Large restrooms with toilet &…read moresink the sink not in use, it has a bag covering it. No lighting inside be sure to have a flashlight of some kind for nighttime use. The camp host's were very friendly and informative. It is pet friendly our Corgi came home with quite a few ticks on him (6) we had never experienced that before. I suggest your pet be given some flea & tick meds prior to visiting campsite. We had a visit to the Vet and Archie is fine... We enjoyed our 3 nt. stay. It was March and the weather was perfect for hiking & walks on the beach. It rained one of the afternoon into evening while we were there, I would recommend staying here.

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.

My family and I have been camping here or next door at Big Sur Campground and Cabins for about 30…read moreyears and are very disappointed by the corporate purchase of both facilities. For some big firm in New York to purchase property in a place they clearly don't research enough to care about (especially now that the area is on fire), it certainly shows. They no longer pay to have staff at night to enforce campers violating quiet hours; if you have noisy neighbors you have tell them to pipe down all on your own which is putting campers at risk if the noisy people in question are drunk or combative. The staff is so clearly overworked and underpaid. And if enjoy tent camping at Big Sur Campground and Cabins, take advantage before they do away with 60-70% of tent sites in lieu of luxury cabins that a working young family surely cannot afford.

It's the only campground around here which offers the most important amenities you need like,…read moreelectric hookup, water, sewage. They have been open for about 4 yrs. They are still a work in progress. They have laundry and showers. You can tent here and RV. They have no store still. A lot of hiking available. Located against coyote hill. Another downside is that you have to be back in the campgrounds by 10pm because they close the gate. Otherwise you must park your vehicle outside the gate and walk back to the camping area. There are no pull throughs either. No firewood available. Grills are. Picnicking tables and playground. Can be windy at times. Can be difficult to park large RV because of boulders placed as landscaping. There are coyotes, lots of rabbits and wild turkeys and ground squirrels. Not sure about showers on how clean they keep them.

Beautiful campground with full hookups and roomy sites. Nice bathrooms and showers too. Lots of…read moregrounds to walk a dog or exercise. Close to many places to go.

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.