Santa Barbara Island

About

Santa Barbara Island Campground sits atop dramatic sea cliffs on the smallest and most isolated of the northern Channel Islands. The ten primitive campsites offer unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean and access to five miles of hiking trails that wind through recovering native vegetation to overlooks and twin peaks, the highest being Signal Peak at 635 feet. Reaching the campground requires a three-hour boat ride from Ventura Harbor followed by climbing a steel-rung ladder from skiff to pier, then ascending 131 steps over a quarter-mile trail gaining 200 feet in elevation. Each site includes a picnic table and access to food storage boxes. Vault toilets are provided, but there is no potable water, so campers must pack in approximately one gallon per person per day. The island is one of the most significant seabird nesting sites in the Channel Islands, hosting 11 species including western gulls, California brown pelicans, three cormorant species, storm-petrels, and one of the world's largest colonies of Scripps's murrelets. Rocky shores provide hauling grounds for California sea lions, harbor seals, and northern elephant seals. Swimming, snorkeling, diving, and kayaking are possible at Landing Cove, though there are no lifeguards and no other accessible beaches without watercraft.

Directions

Boat transportation from Ventura Harbor via Island Packers (when service is operational). From Highway 101, exit Victoria or Seaward to Ventura Harbor. The boat trip takes approximately 3 hours. From the landing, climb a steel ladder from skiff to pier, then hike a steep quarter-mile trail with 131 steps gaining 200 feet elevation to reach the campground.