Santa Rosa Island

We camped 3 nights on Santa Rosa Island and hiked each day. The pristine beach is spectacular with erosion, plant life, exposed sedimentary layers taking you back in time. The water is very cold and I could not stay in more that a few seconds before popping up. (We were there early June, 2023. We hiked Torrey Pines to Skunk Point and back, Black Mountain loop. Both are great. If I had to do it again I'd stay 5 nights to take in the 5 major hikes. If you take a wagon that is collapsible you can carry a lot more luxuries for your stay. We carried a full backpack, guitar, folding stool, lots of food and other things making our stay even better. The drinking water is good and the bathroom at the campsite is clean. A great overall experience.

Highly recommend. Great, well kept campsite. The island is beautiful. Lots of walking so be prepared.

The campground in Water Canyon is really nice. There are wind shelters for your tent. The campground has restrooms with running water and flush toilets. There are water spigots in the campground that supply potable water, but it was a bit gritty and I didn't like the taste; so, I filtered the water I used for drinking. I stayed two nights but I wish had stayed three nights because Santa Rosa Island is a special place.

Exceptional camp site, well-maintained. Just a note that although the hike from the pier to the camp site is not particularly long or challenging, most of it is with no cover on a rutted dirt road, so pulling wagons / carts, etc. and having extensive gear may be challenging or simply unpleasant. Once you're there it's basically paradise. We went to the beach, Torrey Pines trail, about halfway to Skunk and Cherry Canyon.

Great campground on Santa Rosa Island with potable water and bathrooms with running water. Beautiful beach and hikes from the campground, I rarely saw other folks on the trails I was on. I recommend hiking up to Black Mountain for sunrise - beautiful! The boat ride there and back included whales, dolphins, and a painted cave visit. Overall a great adventure, would recommend. Bring windbreakers, the island is very windy!

Campground was nice and the park rangers were friendly and knowledgeable.

Water Canyon campground is lovely. It has running water in the restrooms and faucets near the campsites. The wind shelters have been expertly placed so one can sit at the picnic table in comfort even during high winds. Be aware that your tent needs to be placed aerodynamically to the downdraft in the canyon and well staked. A hammer is helpful. We packed for car camping which made the walk of only 1.5 mi hard. If you use a wagon or pack for a backpack, it is easier. Being there in late April during a good rain year, the flowers were spectacular. We hiked to near Skunk Point, through the Torrey pines and down Wreck Road, the Cherry Canyon loop, and a bit of the Carrington Point trail. Watch out for ticks if you are leading a group and foxes in the campground who will steal anything that smells of food, even vegetables.

We camped at site 4 which was close to bathrooms and water. It was nice campsite with open view but had no privacy as compared to the odd numbered campsites which had bushes on both sides of the shelter. The shelter areas was also not flat so we had to pitch the tent in open space outside which was a little issue due to high winds on the island and especially in the campground area. All other campers were really nice. The bathrooms were clean and well maintained. Overall, loved the campground.

The island is gorgeous. The National Park Service staff were extremely helpful. The bathroom at the campsite was spotless. Trip highlight was hike to Lobos Canyon, but there are lots of good hikes.

The boat ride on Island Packers was also very fun.

Be prepared for wind, cool marine weather, and sun!

Use the boulders stacked beside each windbreak for extra wind protection for your tent.