Santa Rosa Island

Most underrated island. Lots of beautiful beaches, not crowded, and very lush during spring months. However, weather can be bipolar, mosquitos can be annoying at night (recommend a tent), and it can get windy at times. Other than Tory pines and lobo canyon, there are no trees, so shaded areas are minimal. Overall a refreshing experience and great place to leave your busy life back on the mainland for a few days.

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

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!

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.

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 miles 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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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