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
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Site Details
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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
Rebecca C
VerifiedFebruary 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Sites 001-015
I loved my stay at Water Canyon campground. Shout out to Ranger Dylan Moe who was also extremely helpful when we encountered a problem setting up our tent!
Christina V
VerifiedJanuary 30, 2022 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Sites 001-015
Bucket list!
Dana S
VerifiedDecember 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Sites 001-015
My partner and I booked this trip last minute for Thanksgiving week. Be sure to take your Dramamine because it is a 2-3hr ride over. When we got off the boat we were welcomed by a ranger who informed us of information about our campsite and the island. There was as a volunteer ranger that did an orientation for those doing backcountry camping.
The walk to the campsite was 1.3miles all flat except the minor hill to get up and into the canyon. The wind structures were extremely helpful and the grounds are very well kept. There are only 15 campsite so all have great sunrise/sunset views, just depends on how close you want to be to the bathrooms. One note, you are staying in a canyon and your voices do echo and carry. Please be mindful of others. We were pleasantly surprised to find (2) nice bathrooms with sinks and flush toilets.
The crows and foxes are no joke. My partner and I turned our backs for a minute and a fox grabbed our trash bag. Always have someone watching your food & trash.
Key tips:
- The maps on the island are not good, purchase the National Geographic map of the islands at REI or the gift shop before you get on the boat. It'll run you about $15.
- Lobo Canyon is a must do if you have the time.
- Torrey Pines & Cherry Canyon Trails are also both worth it if you're going for a day.
- East Point Hike is flat but far and there is no shade. Bring lots of water, hat & sunscreen.
- There isn't a lot of shade on this island, be prepared with water, a hat & sunscreen.
Colston L
VerifiedDecember 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Sites 001-015
Had a great time at Santa Rosa. The campsite was very nice, multiple water spouts, super clean and nice bathroom with a sink, and the wind blocker was a nice luxury. We did the hike to skunk point which was ~7 miles round trip and the Lobo Canyon hike which was ~12 miles round trip. Both these hikes were gorgeous. The boat ride over is also very nice because they stop by pods of dolphins for passengers to get a nice view. Also had a whale sighting on the way back. The only real downside was that there aren't any fires allowed.
Elizabeth A
VerifiedDecember 1, 2021 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: Sites 001-015
Beautiful views, great sunrises. Highly recommend Carrington Point- a less traveled hike that ended with NW views of the island, seals, and pelicans!
Summer R
VerifiedNovember 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Sites 001-015
Park was absolutley beautiful and unique. Employees were so knowledgeable and helpful!
Angela M
VerifiedNovember 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Sites 001-015
Santa Rosa Island is rugged and beautiful. The bathrooms and dish washing sink at the campgrounds are super delux (though i miss the shower :( , and the rangers are great, always helpful. It's possible to spend an entire day down at Water Canyon Beach if the wind isn't too strong or maybe hiking out to Lobo Canyon which is super interesting.
Lukasz D
VerifiedNovember 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Sites 001-015
secluded and serene. so worth it!
Luke S
VerifiedNovember 4, 2021 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: Sites 001-015
Santa Rosa Island is a magical place. The beaches are wild and scenic. I enjoyed the facilities at the campground. The restrooms were clean and well cared for. My only recommendation would be to do a little maintenance on the lean to structures as the wind has scoured out most of the dirt under the canopy leaving the ground uneven and very dusty. Keep up the good work.
Laurel S
VerifiedNovember 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Sites 001-015
Awesome place to explore and stay.
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.
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Last updated: June 4, 2026
