About Santa Rosa Island
Number of accommodations: 15
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Birding
Hiking
Kayaking
Swimming
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Rates, Sites & Availability
15 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
15 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (223)
What Guests Are Saying
Santa Rosa Island offers a stunning natural environment with exceptional views, diverse hiking trails, and well-maintained campgrounds featuring clean facilities, including flush toilets and potable water. Many visitors appreciate the tranquility and beauty of the island, noting the abundance of wildlife and wildflowers. While there are challenges such as windy conditions and some trail maintenance issues, the overall experience is highly regarded, making it a memorable destination for camping and outdoor activities.
What Guests Are Saying
Santa Rosa Island offers a stunning natural environment with exceptional views, diverse hiking trails, and well-maintained campgrounds featuring clean facilities, including flush toilets and potable water. Many visitors appreciate the tranquility and beauty of the island, noting the abundance of wildlife and wildflowers. While there are challenges such as windy conditions and some trail maintenance issues, the overall experience is highly regarded, making it a memorable destination for camping and outdoor activities.
Review Summary
Morgan B
VerifiedApril 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: Sites 001-015
The campground is lovely-- the wind shelters are sturdy and the toileting area is nice (flushable toilets, running water, soap, and a utility sink on he outside of the structure). The ranger comes by daily and is very helpful and friendly. I would love to visit again.
Kathy T
VerifiedApril 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Sites 001-015
Clean and well maintained flush toilet, sinks, tiled bathroom at campgound. Excellent orientation information provided by park ranger upon arrival. Beautiful landscapes and coastline views.
Brent M
VerifiedApril 19, 2022 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: Sites 001-015
Great campground and great place. Restrooms and water at the campground was an added plus.
Thomas D
VerifiedApril 10, 2022 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Sites 001-015
Beautiful wildflowers and interesting geology while we were visiting, especially in Lobo Canyon. There's a today-relevant climate-change story recorded in the coastal marine terraces that document high sea-levels stands at ~80,000 and ~120,000 years ago.
The ranger on duty was very helpful and kept us informed on the boat schedule, where to hike, etc.
Derek W
VerifiedApril 3, 2022 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Sites 001-015
Beautiful island. Stunning wild flowers (mid-March 2022). Nice camp ground. Great hikes. Worth visiting more than once.
Geneva N
VerifiedMarch 30, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Sites 001-015
After the roughest seas imaginable on the way there and gale force winds the first day, but then oh my oh my true beauty. Perfect balance of camping and comfort (thanks to the much needed wind screen, bear box and well kept bathrooms). Last few days were absolutely beautiful with all the wildflowers in bloom and plenty of critters to see. So much to do and will be going back. Very lucky to have a pod of blue whales in the bay the last two days and got to see a pod of dolphins on our super smooth and gorgeous cruise back. Officially a part of Channel Islands hype team.
Leah W
VerifiedMarch 30, 2022 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: Sites 001-015
It was absolutely an incredible experience! I have never been so remote yet had such nice facilities to use! There is plenty on water around the campground and the bathrooms have solar panel powered lighting and running water. Incredible!
The island itself one of the most beautiful places to travel to in this Earth. The rolling hills dotted with Torrey pines along a blue cove where grey whales were periodically surfacing for air was honestly the closest I have ever come to heaven. I would be content spending my life exploring every canyon, cove, and climb on that island. I can't wait to make it back out!
Renee L
VerifiedMarch 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Sites 001-015
During our 7 hour drive to Ventura where we planned to spend the night before we took the ferry to Santa Rosa, we received an email letting us know that it was highly likely that our return ferry from the island would be canceled due to ocean conditions. Since we had plans to fly home the day after our scheduled ferry we canceled the entire trip. Thus, we never made it to Santa Rosa. Very disappointing.
Jack L
VerifiedMarch 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: Sites 001-015
Such a beautiful place. Wildflowers everywhere. It feels like going back in time. This island is consistently windy, very windy. Be prepared for that and your in for an excellent time.
Susanne E
VerifiedMarch 21, 2022 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: Sites 001-015
Stunningly beautiful! Very knowledgeable and helpful rangers and volunteers. Incredibly well maintained bathrooms.
Best camping and hiking experience we’ve had.
Location Santa Rosa Island
Address:
1901 Spinnaker Drive
Ventura, CA, 93001
United States
Santa Rosa Campground is accessible via US Highway 101, located approximately 20 miles to the east.
Latitude & Longitude: 33.9911 / -120.048
Elevation: 36 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
11AM
Check out time
11AM
General
- Santa Rosa Island may only be reached by boat. Visitors are required to arrange transportation to the island before reserving a campsite. Contact Island Packers the park's authorized concessioner or bring your own private boat.
- Camping reservations are required prior to arriving on the island. There are NO walk-ups at this facility.
- One party or group may reserve a maximum of 2 individual sites per visit. There are 15 individual campsites. Max 5 people per site.
- A party or group of 46 or more may not reserve any sites through recreation.gov and must contact the park to obtain a special use permit: https://www.nps.gov/chis/learn/management/special-use-permit.htm.
- Upon arrival, meet ranger at beach, landing dock or campground. However, park staff is not always immediately available on the island. Please have confirmation letter, receipt, or campsite number with you.
- 1.5 mile from the pier to campground. Visitors must carry all their own gear.
- Primitive camping. Tent camping only, no electricity/water/sewer site hook-ups at this campground. Bring low profile tents and extra food for weather delays. Partial shade from wind shelter (8' tall, 10' deep, 14' wide at front, 8' wide at back). Picnic table, food storage box, and drinking water provided. No stores or services.
- Proper food and trash storage is required. Food/trash storage lockers are provided at each site. Recommend hard-sided container (i.e., action packer) to further protect food/garbage from animals.
- Visitors are required to pack out what they pack in, including garbage.
- No campfires or charcoal fires. Only enclosed gas camp stoves are allowed.
- Smoking is only allowed on beach area at Bechers Bay.
- Avoid contact with deer mice. Hantavirus has been found in island deer mice. For more information visit: https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/hantavirus.htm.
- To help prevent the introduction of nonnative species the following items may not be brought to the park: pets; live or potted plants; soil; cut flowers; firewood or any untreated, unfinished wood (including hiking sticks); corrugated boxes; tools or equipment with attached soil; motorized vehicles; bicycles; and single-use plastic grocery bags. Prior to departure, visitors are required to use pest-proof packing materials, inspect and clean their gear and shoes of all soil, seeds, and insects. Learn more about biosecurity and watch the required video at Protect Your Park Through Biosecurity.
- No fishing in marine reserves. California fishing license and ocean enhancement required to fish within Channel Islands National Park.
- Watersports: Due to the strong, persistent wind, swimming, snorkeling, diving, and kayaking are limited and recommended for the experienced visitor only. Ocean conditions can rapidly change, requiring expert abilities. Ocean kayaking is an inherently dangerous activity. Always check weather and do not kayak beyond your experience level.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 4, 2026
