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Santa Rosa Island

1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, California, United States

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White sand dune next to a steep coastal bluff with ocean.

The trail into Water Canyon Campground. The burn scar from the 2026 wildfire is evident around the wind shelters and surrounding hillsides.

Path leading into Water Canyon Campground. Wind shelters and the surrounding hills showing burn scars from the 2026 wildfire.

Pine tree overlooking coastal marine terrace with dry grass, ocean, and white sand beach.

White sand dune next to a steep coastal bluff with ocean

Featured amenities

General Store

General Store

Pet Friendly

Pet Friendly

Picnic Table

Picnic Table

Restrooms

Restrooms

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About Santa Rosa Island

Tucked away in a canyon to protect visitors from strong northwest winds, Water Canyon Campground offers exceptional island views, access to spectacular hiking opportunities and a nearby white sand beach.Located 40 nautical miles from the Channel Islands National Park visitor center in Ventura, Santa Rosa is the second largest island in California at approximately 53,000 acres in size. The island landforms support a diverse array of plant and animal species including six plant species found nowhere on earth but Santa Rosa Island. The island also hosts over 100 bird and three land mammal species, including the endemic island fox.

Available sites

15 total sites

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Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Birding

Birding

Year-round

Hiking

Hiking

Year-round

Kayaking

Kayaking

Spring Summer Fall

Swimming

Swimming

Summer

Year-round

Birding

Birding

Nearby

Hiking

Hiking

Nearby

Spring

Kayaking

Kayaking

Nearby

Summer

Kayaking

Kayaking

Nearby

Swimming

Swimming

Nearby

Fall

Kayaking

Kayaking

Nearby

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season

Upcoming seasons

Past seasons

Closed periods

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

General Store

General Store

Pet friendly

Pet friendly

Picnic Table

Picnic Table

Restrooms

Restrooms

Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

Potable Water
Restrooms

Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

Picnic Table

On Site Services

On Site Services

General Store
Fish Cleaning Station

Water Access

Water Access

Boat Ramp / Launch

Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

Pet friendly

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Rates, Sites & Availability

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15 Sites Available

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Site Details

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Reviews

242 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Santa Rosa Island offers a stunning natural experience with well-maintained campgrounds, including clean restrooms and modern amenities like flush toilets and running water. Visitors rave about the breathtaking hikes, beautiful beaches, and incredible wildlife sightings, such as dolphins and blue whales. While the island can be quite windy, with some trails in need of maintenance, the overall experience is rewarding for those seeking adventure and tranquility away from technology.

Based on guest feedback

4.8

Overall rating

Based on 242 reviews

5 stars 85.5% (207)

4 stars 13.2% (32)

3 stars 0.0% (0)

2 stars 0.4% (1)

1 star 0.8% (2)

Showing 242 reviews

Newest First

Newest First Oldest First

Ariel W

Verified

May 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.

Helpful

Joseph E

Verified

May 12, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: Sites 001-015

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Joseph E

Verified

May 12, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: Sites 001-015

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Joseph E

Verified

May 12, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: Sites 001-015

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Joseph E

Verified

May 12, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: Sites 001-015

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lindsay c

Verified

April 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.

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Dennis A

Verified

April 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.

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Saroja M

Verified

April 20, 2021 Stayed at: 003, Loop: Sites 001-015

Well maintained campsite

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Bryan D

Verified

April 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 mi. I would need a week of 20 mi 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!

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John N

Verified

April 12, 2021 Stayed at: 015, Loop: Sites 001-015

Someone told us that the bathrooms on Santa Rosa are, "...the finest in all the National Parks." And I can now confirm that is accurate. We visited in April and our first night at the campsite was lovely, but the next two were incredibly windy. That's not the campsite's fault, obviously, just the natural state of a Pacific Island in April. The windbreaks at the campsite helped, but not much they could do about swirling 30 mph winds. Everything inside the tent (including us) was covered in sand in the mornings.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Santa Rosa Island

1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001 United States

Elevation: 36 ft

Map of Santa Rosa Island location at Ventura, CA, United States

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Highway access

Santa Rosa Campground is accessible via US Highway 101, located approximately 20 miles to the east.

Near Channel Islands National Park

The closest entrance is: Bechers Bay Pier (Santa Rosa Island)

Approximate drive: 1.4 mi · 2 min

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: November 4, 2026

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Explore Ventura, CA

Nearby city: Santa Barbara, CA

Approx. 36 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 36 ft

Best Season: Spring, Fall

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Ventura, CA

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Managed by the National Park Service