California / Santa Barbara County / Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary / South Point State and Federal Marine Reserve / Channel Islands National Park

Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping

Open — Open through December 31. Closes January 1 through August 14 to protect pupping seals, sea lions, and nesting seabirds. Reopens August 15. Southeast Quadrant beaches open first; additional quadrants open September 16.

About

Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping provides an extraordinary wilderness experience along one of California's last undeveloped coastlines. This primitive camping is available mid-August through December along the island's 55-mile shoreline, offering a glimpse of California as it existed in centuries past. The rocky coast and sandy beaches resemble those known to the Chumash Indians, Spanish explorers, and early ranchers. Access is challenging and limited to experienced outdoor enthusiasts. Campers must arrange boat or plane transportation to the island via Island Packers or Channel Islands Aviation, then backpack or kayak significant distances to reach camping areas. The closest beach camping is 7 miles hiking or 8 miles kayaking from the Bechers Bay pier. Popular destinations include East Point, Ford Point, Johnsons Lee, and La Jolla Vieja in the Southeast Quadrant, with more remote options in the Southwest and Northwest quadrants requiring 10-25 miles of travel. The island's backcountry is managed with seasonal closures to protect pupping seals, sea lions, and nesting seabirds. From August 15 to September 15, only the Southeast Quadrant beaches (East Point to South Point) are open. From September 16 through December 31, Southeast, Southwest, and Northwest quadrant beaches open, though areas around Sandy Point, Lobo Canyon, and the Northeast Quadrant remain closed. This is true wilderness camping with no amenities, requiring visitors to carry all gear, food, and water. WAG bags are mandatory for human waste disposal. Weather conditions are generally best August through October, though strong winds averaging 15 knots (occasionally 40-50 knots) are common year-round.

Directions

Accessible only by boat or plane. Island Packers provides boat service from Ventura Harbor to Bechers Bay pier. Channel Islands Aviation provides flights to the airstrip near Water Canyon. From drop-off points, backcountry beaches require 7-18 miles of hiking or kayaking.

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