Plaskett Creek Campground Posts Non-Potable Water and Portable-Toilet Warning for Visitors

PLASKETT, Monterey County — October 30, 2026. Anyone planning to camp near Sand Dollar Beach should read the specific alert at the top of the federal Plaskett Creek Campground reservation page before packing. Although the property’s general description mentions drinking water and flush toilets, its active notifications say water is non-potable and portable toilets are being provided instead of flush toilets.

Which information should visitors follow?

Recreation.gov’s ‘Notifications and Alerts’ section states: ‘No flushing toilets available – Portable toilets provided’ and ‘NON-POTABLE WATER – Please plan accordingly.’ That site-specific notice is more useful for immediate planning than the evergreen campground description lower on the same page. Campers should bring enough safe drinking and cooking water for their full stay and verify the alert before departure.

What facilities and restrictions are listed?

The campground description places Plaskett Creek on the east side of Highway 1, a short distance from Sand Dollar Beach. It lists individual tent/RV spaces and three group camping areas, with no utility hookups. The federal listing also says there is no cell service in the area and no public showers. It lists a maximum of two vehicles per individual site, subject to posted charges and rules, and instructs visitors not to move firewood long distances.

These descriptions do not guarantee that any particular campsite is available, that fire rings can be used, or that the surrounding forest trails are open. Reservation inventory, fire restrictions and forest closure boundaries can change independently of the site’s general description.

What about Highway 1 and the 2026 Plaskett Fire?

The reservation page carries a temporary Highway 1 closure warning for access from the Monterey direction. Meanwhile, CAL FIRE records the Plaskett Fire as fully contained, but the federal emergency closure order continues to restrict specified Los Padres National Forest lands, roads and trails into 2027 unless modified. A contained fire does not automatically reopen trails or roads.

Before traveling, consult Caltrans QuickMap and road conditions, the official Plaskett Fire incident page, and the campground’s current reservation listing. Never drive around a posted closure.

How to get an answer

Recreation.gov lists campground telephone (805) 434-1996 and directs questions to the campground operator through its posted customer-service contact. For life-safety information during an active emergency, use official county alerts rather than a booking website.

Sources: Recreation.gov, Plaskett Creek Campground; CAL FIRE Plaskett Fire record. The visible alert and current road status should be rechecked immediately before travel.

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