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
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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
Francisco S
VerifiedJune 19, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Sites 001-015
Be prepared for wind and stake your tent down well in the wind break! I suggest moving the picnic tables out and having your tents in the breaks. Beautiful island. Lobo Canyon Trail is a must as well as the Torrey Pines. Looking to get out to east point some day. Great place to be adventurous. Lots more foxes than last time I went 5 years ago.
Peter H
VerifiedJune 18, 2021 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Sites 001-015
The entire experience was excellent. We were there in early June after the grasses had turned brown but there were still many wildflowers in the canyons and along the trails. The limited diversity of plants and animals made the experience more intense and special, especially for the island endemics. That's not to say there was not a broad range of each to see. The many environments- cloud forest, tide pools, riparian, Torrey Pine grove, sandy beaches, marshes, and grasslands- offered a wide spectrum of life zones. The minimal presence of modern human development gave the island a pristine sensibility. The campground and its amenities were more than expected but much appreciated. The NPS staff were great. The weather was wonderful- fog, breezy but not howling winds, and some sunny afternoons. We were very fortunate to have this opportunity. The CINP website, especially the GPS active trail map was very useful. The interpretive guide was quite good though a bit much on the brief ranch period. Consideration of the Chumash history and culture was appreciated and could be strengthened. Thank you NPS very much. Peter
Deloria Z
VerifiedJune 4, 2021 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: Sites 001-015
Fantastic hiking and beautiful land and flowers! Windy as usual but beautiful!
Ronald W
VerifiedMay 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Sites 001-015
Santa Rosa island is a hidden gem. It has beautiful, clean beaches, trails, etc. The Torrey pine forest was a pleasant surprise and a must see. Campsites: The flush toilets are a wonderful luxury, and cleaned and resupplied daily. The well water in the campground tastes very good.
The only cons I can think of, and it is more observation than con: this island is very windy, so come prepared with proper clothing, heavy duty tent stakes, etc. And, the boat ride is over deep ocean, so if you experience motion sickness, take precautions.
I definitely want to return.
Ariel W
VerifiedMay 13, 2021 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Sites 001-015
The boat getting there was really rough due to weather and the first night was very windy, but as it calmed down we got perfect spring days for hiking and camping. The hiking trails are incredible and the beaches are divine. Ao much wildlife and plantlife!! The campsite has everything you need including partial shelter, lockbox for food, picnic table, bathroom, and drinking water. Amazing place and would love to go again.
Joseph E
VerifiedMay 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: Sites 001-015
lindsay c
VerifiedApril 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Sites 001-015
If you want to camp on a windy island with great views and cute foxes this is the one.
Dennis A
VerifiedApril 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Sites 001-015
The Water Canyon campground is always a great experience. Be prepared for high winds, especially earlier in the year, and the 1.5 mike trek to the site can be challenging, but worth the effort.
Saroja M
VerifiedApril 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Sites 001-015
Well maintained campsite
Bryan D
VerifiedApril 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Sites 001-015
Santa Rosa Island is truly magical. If I could find a way to live here and work for the park I would, just to stay. The campground is brilliantly laid out. The island has a network of roads that allows access to some wild areas. If planning to go past lobo canyon and Green Canyon, bring an extra pair of shoes as the road is in 12” water here and barefoot is not an option. In two days I hiked 48 miles. I would need a week of 20 mile days to really see the island.
The wildness, the flowers, the varying topography and winds and big seas combined to give me more than I expected. And the park staff here are fantastic. Thanks!
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
