San Miguel Island

1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, California, United States

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.

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
View all amenities

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

9 total sites

Tent Sites

9 sites

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 open - Jul 1 to Nov 20

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Restrooms
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
On Site Services

On Site Services

  • Fish Cleaning Station
Water Access

Water Access

  • Beach Access
  • Boat Ramp / Launch
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
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 Tent
4 guests
Price not available
⛺ 002, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA Tent
4 guests
Price not available
⛺ 003, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA Tent
4 guests
Price not available
⛺ 004, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA Tent
4 guests
Price not available
⛺ 005, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA Tent
4 guests
Price not available
⛺ 006, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA Tent
4 guests
Price not available
⛺ 007, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA Tent
4 guests
Price not available
⛺ 008, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA Tent
4 guests
Price not available
⛺ 009, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA Tent
4 guests
Price not available

Reviews (54)

Verified Only

What Guests Are Saying

San Miguel Island offers a stunning natural environment with incredible wildlife, including one of the largest pinniped rookeries in the world. The guided hikes led by knowledgeable volunteers enhance the experience, providing opportunities for relaxation and solitude away from crowds. While the island has minimal infrastructure and limited shade, these aspects contribute to its rugged charm and memorable adventures.

Review Summary

4.8
54 reviews
5
87.0%
47
4
7.4%
4
3
5.6%
3
2
0.0%
0
1
0.0%
0

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.

Susan F

Verified

November 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA

5

We were so lucky to have the perfect weather for our visit, warm and no winds. Sabina was an excellent guide to the island. She was very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna as well as the island history and the animals that live there. While it wasn't the "season" for the pinnipeds, we did see quite a few of them, even right on the beach were where loaded onto the skiffs. Since there are only 9 campsites we were able to get to know our fellow campers and had a wonderful time with them. Don't miss the beautiful sunrises and sunsets!

simon r

Verified

November 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA

5

Superb place to spend a few days. Don’t forget to bring enough water, and be aware that the climb from the beach to the campsite is strenuous!

Susan F

Verified

November 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA

5

We were so lucky to have the perfect weather for our visit, warm and no winds. Sabina was an excellent guide to the island. She was very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna as well as the island history and the animals that live there. While it wasn't the "season" for the pinnipeds, we did see quite a few of them, even right on the beach were where loaded onto the skiffs. Since there are only 9 campsites we were able to get to know our fellow campers and had a wonderful time with them. Don't miss the beautiful sunrises and sunsets!

simon r

Verified

November 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA

5

Superb place to spend a few days. Don’t forget to bring enough water, and be aware that the climb from the beach to the campsite is strenuous!

Diane L

Verified

October 18, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA

5

Diane L

Verified

October 18, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND AREA

5

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.

Elevation: 151 feet

Map of San Miguel Island location at Ventura, CA, United States
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Last updated: September 7, 2026

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