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Trail Temporarily Closed
Recreation Region: Monterey Ranger District

Vicente Flat Trail

Current Conditions
Aug 2026: Closed due to the Timber and Plaskett Fires

Kirk Creek Trail / Vicente Falt Trail

Trail Distance 5.02 Miles

The Kirk Creek Trail / Vicente Falt Trail is a 5.02 mile trail in the Ventana Wilderness in Monterey County. The trial starts at Highway 1 across the highway from Kirk Creek Camp, the trail connects to the Stone Ridge Trail (4E13). As the trail climbs from Highway 1 to the Vincente Flat Camp (1630 feet) you have amazing panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. About halfway up the trail a small camp named Espinosa Camp (1700 feet) is a great place to stop for a break or an overnight trip.

Vicente Trail Camp is located along Hare Canyon and is set at the junction of the Kirk Creek Trail and the Stone Ridge Trail. There are a few campsites amongst a thick grove of redwood trees. A backpacking trip up to Vicente Flat is the quintessential Big Sur experience with sweeping ocean views, redwood trees, rolling grassy hills and rock outcrops. Vicente Flat is most commonly accessed from the trailhead along Hwy 1 just across from Kirk Creek Campground but can also be visited by descending from the Cone Peak Road.

Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd and Cone Peak Road are closed until further notice, so there is no access to Vicente Flat Camp from Cone Peak Rd at this time. The only access is from the Kirk Creek Trail off of Hwy 1.

Specific Trail Information

Trail Number

4E17A

Trail Type

Standard/Terra Trail — A trail that has a surface consisting predominantly of the ground and that is designed and managed to accommodate use on that surface.

General Information

No fee, permits or passes needed to park on Hwy 1.

Contact the Monterey Ranger District for current fire restrictions at (831) 242-0619 or go to the current fire restrictions page on the Los Padres National Forest website.

Getting There

Directions

Take Highway 1, 80 miles North of San Luis Obispo or 35 miles south of the community of Big Sur.

Recreation Opportunities

Last updated August 31, 2026