California / Santa Barbara County / Channel Islands National Park

Santa Barbara Island

Open — The campground is currently open for advance reservations through Recreation.gov. The island dock remains closed due to storm damage, with landings restricted to the adjacent rocky ledge. Visitors should plan for an extra day in case boats cannot pick up campers due to sea conditions.

About

Santa Barbara Island Campground sits atop dramatic cliffs on the smallest and most remote of the northern Channel Islands, offering an exceptional primitive camping experience. After scaling the rugged cliffs via a steep quarter-mile trail from Landing Cove, campers are rewarded with sites perched on bluffs with magnificent coastal views. The campground features 10 individual sites, each accommodating up to four people. This remote island campground is one of the most important seabird nesting sites in Channel Islands National Park, hosting 11 nesting species including western gulls, California brown pelicans, three species of cormorants, and one of the world's largest colonies of Scripps's murrelets. The rocky shores provide resting and breeding areas for California sea lions, harbor seals, and northern elephant seals. The island's native vegetation is recovering through ongoing National Park Service restoration efforts. With just over five miles of hiking trails traversing gentle slopes and low peaks to dramatic overlooks, the island offers excellent opportunities for hiking, swimming, snorkeling, diving, and kayaking. Signal Peak, the island's highest point, reaches 635 feet in elevation. Due to the cliff geography, water access is limited to Landing Cove. Campers must be self-sufficient, bringing all necessary supplies including water, as no services are available on the island. The exposed location requires sturdy, low-profile tents and preparation for variable weather conditions including strong winds and fog. Boat transportation is arranged through Island Packers from Ventura Harbor.

Directions

Santa Barbara Island is accessible only by boat. Transportation can be arranged with Island Packers from Ventura Harbor. To reach Ventura Harbor from Highway 101, exit at Victoria or Seaward. The campground is located 0.25 miles uphill from the boat landing via a steep trail.

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