OutReserve

San Miguel Island

Yellow flowered plant on coastal bluff overlooking harbor with white sand and islet at the entrance.
White sand beach covered with seals and seal lions.
Tents and 5-foot tall windbreaks perches on an ocean bluff overlooking an islet covered in fog.

About San Miguel Island

Wind and weather constantly sweep across the North Pacific to batter the shores of this westernmost of all the islands. This extreme weather creates a harsh but profoundly beautiful environment. Although it can be challenging to reach the San Miguel Island Campground, it's always worth the effort. Perched on a plateau, the campground offers incredible island views and access to a variety of recreational activities and unique natural and cultural resources. Although a century's worth of sheep ranching and overgrazing caused scientists in 1875 to describe the island as "a barren lump of sand," with the grazing animals removed, vegetative recovery is in progress. Giant coreopsis, dudleya, locoweed, lupine, buckwheat, coastal sagebrush, and poppies are all recolonizing the island to their former extent, returning San Miguel to its more natural state. Also making a comeback, after years of hunting, are the thousands of pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) that breed, pup, and haul out on the island's 27 miles of isolated coastline. Other wildlife include a variety of landbirds, 13 nesting seabird species, and unique animals like the island fox and deer mouse. Both of these little creatures are endemics -- they are found only on the Channel Islands. In addition to the variety of natural resources, San Miguel hosts an array of cultural resources as well. The Chumash and their ancestors lived on San Miguel almost continuously for nearly 12,000 years. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and his men laid eyes on San Miguel Island in 1542 which is commemorated by a monument on the island. Other outstanding island resources that visitors may experience on San Miguel include the caliche forest (sand-castings of ancient vegetation), fossil bones of the Pleistocene pygmy mammoths that stood four to six feet at the shoulders, 150 years of ranching history and numerous shipwrecks.

Number of accommodations: 9

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed - Opens on Jul 1

Campground Amenities

Water Access

Water Access

  • Beach Access
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

9 Sites Available

Site
Price
001, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA
4 guests
Price not available
002, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA
4 guests
Price not available
003, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA
4 guests
Price not available
004, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA
4 guests
Price not available
005, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA
4 guests
Price not available
006, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA
4 guests
Price not available
007, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA
4 guests
Price not available
008, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA
4 guests
Price not available
009, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA
4 guests
Price not available

Reviews (48)

What Guests Are Saying

San Miguel Island is described as a peaceful and uniquely beautiful destination. Reviewers highlight the amazing campsite and the opportunity for long hikes. Overall, it offers a serene experience for nature lovers.

Review Summary

4.8
48 reviews
5
87.5%
42
4
8.3%
4
3
4.2%
2
2
0.0%
0
1
0.0%
0

Eddie M

Verified

September 4, 2025 Stayed at: 005, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA

5

So peaceful and uniquely beautiful.
Amazing campsite. Great long hikes.

Eddie M

Verified

September 4, 2025 Stayed at: 005, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA

5

So peaceful and uniquely beautiful.
Amazing campsite. Great long hikes.

Rebecca C

Verified

September 19, 2022 Stayed at: 003, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA

4

We had campsite 3 and while the metal fox box didn't latch perfectly, it was latched enough that it didn't come off except when humans pulled it. We were pretty worried about it since it closed loosely and wouldn't recommend this particular campsite because of it (though the ranger mentioned some of the other campsites had problem too), but if you do end up getting this campsite it was fine. We did get a lot of ants in the wooden fox box, so would recommend putting items in plastic/some sort of second covering.

Rebecca C

Verified

September 19, 2022 Stayed at: 003, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA

4

We had campsite 3 and while the metal fox box didn't latch perfectly, it was latched enough that it didn't come off except when humans pulled it. We were pretty worried about it since it closed loosely and wouldn't recommend this particular campsite because of it (though the ranger mentioned some of the other campsites had problem too), but if you do end up getting this campsite it was fine. We did get a lot of ants in the wooden fox box, so would recommend putting items in plastic/some sort of second covering.

Joshua C

Verified

September 10, 2022 Stayed at: 004, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA

5

One of the best experiences I have been fortunate enough to have! This is the perfect place for a camping trip to get away from it all and take in some beautiful nature. When we went, there were 5 people in total on the island. For the longer hikes you do have to go with the ranger, but instead of this being limiting, it makes it so you have someone with great knowledge with you as you explore the island! Make sure you pack lightly to carry your stuff to camp and I recommend sunglasses because the wind can get pretty intense. We were lucky enough to have Kate as our ranger and seeing point Bennet was a once in a lifetime experience!

Joshua C

Verified

September 10, 2022 Stayed at: 004, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA

5

One of the best experiences I have been fortunate enough to have! This is the perfect place for a camping trip to get away from it all and take in some beautiful nature. When we went, there were 5 people in total on the island. For the longer hikes you do have to go with the ranger, but instead of this being limiting, it makes it so you have someone with great knowledge with you as you explore the island! Make sure you pack lightly to carry your stuff to camp and I recommend sunglasses because the wind can get pretty intense. We were lucky enough to have Kate as our ranger and seeing point Bennet was a once in a lifetime experience!

Hoyt T

Verified

August 29, 2022 Stayed at: 009, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA

3

I very positively recommend a trip to San Miguel Island, and it is surprisingly different from Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz. However, it is very difficult to get a campground reservation there (particularly on the weekend), because people book all the camp sites and then do not cancel them when they decide that they will not go. So even though the campground was sold out, there were half the camp sites vacant. This really doesn't make any sense to me, since the only way you can get to the campground is on Island Packers, the concessionaire, and Island Packers knows exactly how many people have booked the boat trip out to the island-simple math, right? It seems that Recreation.gov, the NPS, and Island Packers could figure out a way to solve this problem.

Hoyt T

Verified

August 29, 2022 Stayed at: 009, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA

3

I very positively recommend a trip to San Miguel Island, and it is surprisingly different from Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz. However, it is very difficult to get a campground reservation there (particularly on the weekend), because people book all the camp sites and then do not cancel them when they decide that they will not go. So even though the campground was sold out, there were half the camp sites vacant. This really doesn't make any sense to me, since the only way you can get to the campground is on Island Packers, the concessionaire, and Island Packers knows exactly how many people have booked the boat trip out to the island-simple math, right? It seems that Recreation.gov, the NPS, and Island Packers could figure out a way to solve this problem.

Erik J

Verified

July 14, 2022 Stayed at: 008, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA

5

GReat trip but be ready for some walking to all the sights. The hike at the start to camp all up hill. Then you get to do it atleast 1 more time to get some your water. Worth the trouble.

Erik J

Verified

July 14, 2022 Stayed at: 008, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA

5

GReat trip but be ready for some walking to all the sights. The hike at the start to camp all up hill. Then you get to do it atleast 1 more time to get some your water. Worth the trouble.

Location San Miguel Island

Address:
1901 Spinnaker Drive
Ventura, CA, 93001
United States

Highway access

The campground has access to Highway 101, with exits for Victoria or Seaward leading to Ventura Harbor, where boat transportation can be arranged.

Latitude & Longitude: 34.0406 / -120.349

Elevation: 151 feet

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 5, 2026

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