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.
Temporary Closure on Santa Rosa Island
The beaches and dunes of China Camp and Cluster Point, and area in-between, are temporarily closed to all visitor access for the protection of sensitive resources. Travel is allowed on marked paths.
Santa Barbara Island Dock Closed; Landings Restricted to Adjacent Rocky Ledge
Santa Barbara Island is open to public access, but landings are restricted to the rocky ledge adjacent to the dock. The dock is closed and is not expected to be repaired in the near future due to the severe winter storm damage.
Weather Impacts to Island Travel
Due to forecast wind, waves, and rain, Island Packers has cancelled all scheduled trips on Sunday, March 2 and Monday, March 3. All campers must return to the mainland by Saturday March 1.
Western Gulls Nesting on Anacapa Island From April Through Mid-August
During this time, visitors will encounter seabird rookery conditions: guano, strong odor, constant noise, bird carcasses, and birds protecting their territory. If visitors consider these conditions adverse, it is advised that they visit another island.
Small Craft Advisory issued December 30 at 12:16AM PST until December 30 at 9:00AM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
* WHAT...Hazardous sea conditions. * WHERE...Outer waters from Santa Cruz Island to San Clemente Island to 60 NM offshore including San Nicolas and Santa Barbara Islands. * WHEN...Until 9 AM PST Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...See the Coastal Waters Forecast (CWFLOX) for more. May need to be extended into the afternoon or evening.
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | No |
| Toilets | No |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | No |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $10 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| renee_denley@nps.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (805) 658-5730 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
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