California / Santa Barbara County / Channel Islands National Park

Santa Rosa Island

Open — Open year-round. Reservations required and available through Recreation.gov. Accessible only by boat or plane; book transportation with Island Packers or Channel Islands Aviation well in advance.

About

Santa Rosa Island Campground, located in Water Canyon on California's second-largest island, provides a truly remote camping experience within Channel Islands National Park. The 15 primitive campsites are strategically positioned in a canyon to protect visitors from the strong northwest winds that characterize this exposed island environment. Each site is equipped with a wind shelter, picnic table, food storage box, and access to flush toilets and potable water. The island spans approximately 53,000 acres and features a landscape of remarkable contrasts, from high mountains with deeply cut canyons to gently rolling grass-covered hills, extensive white sand beaches, and coastal wetlands. Santa Rosa supports six plant species found nowhere else on Earth, over 100 bird species, and is home to the endangered island fox. The island also hosts one of the world's rarest trees, the Torrey pine, remnants of a once-widespread Pleistocene forest. Archaeological sites documenting thousands of years of Chumash occupation and historic ranching operations add cultural depth to the natural beauty. Access to the campground requires either a 3-hour boat ride with Island Packers from Ventura Harbor or a flight with Channel Islands Aviation from Camarillo Airport, followed by a 1.5-mile hike from the pier or 0.25-mile walk from the airstrip. Water Canyon Beach, accessible via a short hike from the campground, offers excellent beachcombing on pristine white sand. Visitors should prepare for variable weather conditions with sturdy, low-profile tents and bring supplies for an extra day in case sea conditions prevent scheduled departure.

Directions

Santa Rosa Island is accessible only by boat or plane. Boat transportation: Island Packers from Ventura Harbor (3-hour crossing). Air transportation: Channel Islands Aviation from Camarillo Airport. From the pier, hike 1.5 miles to campground; from airstrip, walk 0.25 miles. To reach park headquarters in Ventura: Take Highway 101, exit Victoria or Seaward to Ventura Harbor.

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