Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping

Picked dates with no one else at campground. Was very thankful for the wind shelter and bathroom. Facilities were in good condition and well kept. Backcountry permit for Southern beaches was a great big peace of solitude, filtered water from springs made longer stay easy. I will be back.

Picked dates with no one else at campground. Was very thankful for the wind shelter and bathroom. Facilities were in good condition and well kept. Backcountry permit for Southern beaches was a great big peace of solitude, filtered water from springs made longer stay easy. I will be back.

Backcountry beach camping on Santa Rosa is an amazing experience, is not one for the novice backpacker. During my trip, me and my friend were the only two backpacking the island, and did not see anyone for nearly four days. Because of this, being very prepared is essential, and you can only rely on yourself. There is no potable water along the island, and very limited treatable water. Depending on the time you go, you may be able to find water in some of the canyons throughout the island. I found more success with finding water along the northwest coast, and not so much along the southern coast of the island. One reliable place to find treatable water is Clapp Spring, along the southern mountains near San Augustine Canyon. During our trip, we encountered some very severe winds. To remain safe, we set up camp in canyons along the beach, as to shelter ourselves. This method is extremely effective, and vital when the winds reach upwards of 45 mph. You must also be prepared to pack out all of your trash, as there are no trash cans throughout the island. One destination I would recommend visiting is the airplane wreck along the east ridge of San Augustine Canyon. To reach it, you must take a trail that branches off of Sierra Pablo road.

Backcountry beach camping on Santa Rosa is an amazing experience, is not one for the novice backpacker. During my trip, me and my friend were the only two backpacking the island, and did not see anyone for nearly four days. Because of this, being very prepared is essential, and you can only rely on yourself. There is no potable water along the island, and very limited treatable water. Depending on the time you go, you may be able to find water in some of the canyons throughout the island. I found more success with finding water along the northwest coast, and not so much along the southern coast of the island. One reliable place to find treatable water is Clapp Spring, along the southern mountains near San Augustine Canyon. During our trip, we encountered some very severe winds. To remain safe, we set up camp in canyons along the beach, as to shelter ourselves. This method is extremely effective, and vital when the winds reach upwards of 45 mph. You must also be prepared to pack out all of your trash, as there are no trash cans throughout the island. One destination I would recommend visiting is the airplane wreck along the east ridge of San Augustine Canyon. To reach it, you must take a trail that branches off of Sierra Pablo road.

Outside of needing to lug 7L of water over the hill, camping by Ford point was everything I hoped it would be!

Outside of needing to lug 7L of water over the hill, camping by Ford point was everything I hoped it would be!

Backcountry camping on Santa Rosa was really the experience of a lifetime. I traveled in November, when the weather was cooler but still quite comfortable. We landed on the island around 11am, and began the 10 mile trek to our remote beach campsite. It took us five hours to cut across the island and reach the site. There was water at a spring about 7 miles in. Please bring water filtration system and use this spring, not the creek that runs onto the beach (we stayed on the South side, near Ford point). Once we reached the beach, we tried filtered water from the creek, and although we filtered out bacteria/viruses, the creek water was VERY salty. Fortunately we had plenty of water from the earlier spring, and only drank that. Camping on the beach is difficult, because you are stuck between the rising tide and unstable cliffs. We placed our tent under a cliff and dug a trench around the tent. The first night the tide was low, the second night we left early in the morning, but had we not, our tent would have gotten wet from the tide. We packed in all food (unless you spear fish there is no food on the island), and entertained ourselves by bringing wetsuits and snorkel gear for swimming (too cold without a wet suit). Visibility was low, but we did see some fish, kelp forest, and sea lions. When the tide went out, it was fun too look at anemones in tide pools. There were also caves that were fun to explore along the beach when the tide went out (do not get caught there in high tide!). The beach was absolutely stunning, and seeing the moon over the water was incredible. We hiked back along the coastal route, saw a wild fox(!!), and enjoyed the coastal route more than Butte Road that we hiked in on. Coastal route takes longer, but with less elevation gain and loss and better views. It took seven hours to return to the pier. If you are wondering if you can do the hike, you can, it is moderately difficult, and my boyfriend did it in flip flops (don't recommend that though).

Backcountry camping on Santa Rosa was really the experience of a lifetime. I traveled in November, when the weather was cooler but still quite comfortable. We landed on the island around 11am, and began the 10 mile trek to our remote beach campsite. It took us five hours to cut across the island and reach the site. There was water at a spring about 7 miles in. Please bring water filtration system and use this spring, not the creek that runs onto the beach (we stayed on the South side, near Ford point). Once we reached the beach, we tried filtered water from the creek, and although we filtered out bacteria/viruses, the creek water was VERY salty. Fortunately we had plenty of water from the earlier spring, and only drank that. Camping on the beach is difficult, because you are stuck between the rising tide and unstable cliffs. We placed our tent under a cliff and dug a trench around the tent. The first night the tide was low, the second night we left early in the morning, but had we not, our tent would have gotten wet from the tide. We packed in all food (unless you spear fish there is no food on the island), and entertained ourselves by bringing wetsuits and snorkel gear for swimming (too cold without a wet suit). Visibility was low, but we did see some fish, kelp forest, and sea lions. When the tide went out, it was fun too look at anemones in tide pools. There were also caves that were fun to explore along the beach when the tide went out (do not get caught there in high tide!). The beach was absolutely stunning, and seeing the moon over the water was incredible. We hiked back along the coastal route, saw a wild fox(!!), and enjoyed the coastal route more than Butte Road that we hiked in on. Coastal route takes longer, but with less elevation gain and loss and better views. It took seven hours to return to the pier. If you are wondering if you can do the hike, you can, it is moderately difficult, and my boyfriend did it in flip flops (don't recommend that though).

It was a tough hike but worth the trip. You must pack everything in and out leaving no trace and cover 20 miles or more if you camp on the other side of the island. It's not a beginner trip but worth it due to the filter it creates on the public. The people that may be there with you are at a similar level of interests, ability, etc. so its always a great time!

It was a tough hike but worth the trip. You must pack everything in and out leaving no trace and cover 20 miles or more if you camp on the other side of the island. It's not a beginner trip but worth it due to the filter it creates on the public. The people that may be there with you are at a similar level of interests, ability, etc. so its always a great time!