Tent Sites
Geiste V
VerifiedJuly 10, 2024 Stayed at: 004, Loop: Sites 001-015
Beautiful island! Windy as expected but we had a blast with our little friend group. Will be back!
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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 sitesActivities & Attractions
Nearby
Birding
Year-round
Hiking
Year-round
Kayaking
Spring
Summer
Fall
Swimming
Summer
Year-round
Birding
Nearby
Hiking
Nearby
Spring
Kayaking
Nearby
Summer
Kayaking
Nearby
Swimming
Nearby
Fall
Kayaking
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Seasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
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Jun
Jul
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Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
365 Days
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
General Store
Pet friendly
Picnic Table
Restrooms
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
On Site Services
- General Store
- Fish Cleaning Station
Water Access
- Boat Ramp / Launch
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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15 Sites Available
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001, Loop: Sites 001-015
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002, Loop: Sites 001-015
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003, Loop: Sites 001-015
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004, Loop: Sites 001-015
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005, Loop: Sites 001-015
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006, Loop: Sites 001-015
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007, Loop: Sites 001-015
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008, Loop: Sites 001-015
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010, Loop: Sites 001-015
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011, Loop: Sites 001-015
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012, Loop: Sites 001-015
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014, Loop: Sites 001-015
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015, Loop: Sites 001-015
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15 Sites Available
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001, Loop: Sites 001-015
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004, Loop: Sites 001-015
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005, Loop: Sites 001-015
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006, Loop: Sites 001-015
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007, Loop: Sites 001-015
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008, Loop: Sites 001-015
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009, Loop: Sites 001-015
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011, Loop: Sites 001-015
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013, Loop: Sites 001-015
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014, Loop: Sites 001-015
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015, Loop: Sites 001-015
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Reviews
242 reviews
Summary
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
Verified Only
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Richard S
VerifiedJuly 8, 2024 Stayed at: 013, Loop: Sites 001-015
Great experience!
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Justin H
VerifiedJune 5, 2024 Stayed at: 014, Loop: Sites 001-015
Beautiful island, lots of great hiking. Lobo Canyon and the Torrey Pines were gorgeous. NPS staff was friendly and informative. Bathrooms were clean and are legit flushable toilets, not pits like most NP bathrooms. Island Packers also does a great job and run a tight ship!
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Nicole D
VerifiedJune 2, 2024 Stayed at: 015, Loop: Sites 001-015
I love to camp out at Santa Rosa Island. Amazing hikes, and gorgeous beaches. Always see tons of island foxes and birds. Highly recommend the hike to Lobo Canyon or to East Point if you are into long hikes!
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Candace L
VerifiedMay 28, 2024 Stayed at: 004, Loop: Sites 001-015
I always love getting out to the Channel Islands, and Santa Rosa Island is one of my favorites to camp on. The island itself is fairly remote, and it feels like it. The boat trip there and back is always beautiful, no matter the weather, and you're *almost* guaranteed to see some form of sea life! The bathroom facilities at the campsite are great, and the wind shelters help keep you surprisingly warm at night. Going in May, we had mild weather and little to no bugs. Most hiking trails are fantastic - my group and I ended taking an unmaintained connector road and the foxtails were deeply embedded in our socks - would recommend staying on the main trails, marked well on the maps :)
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Ryan H
VerifiedMay 27, 2024 Stayed at: 014, Loop: Sites 001-015
My third time camping at Santa Rosa. Always wonderful.
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Heather D
VerifiedMay 14, 2024 Stayed at: 007, Loop: Sites 001-015
The island is fabulous in the spring for the greenery and flowers. Highly recommend staying here. Would not recommend a day trip because the boat ride is 4 hours one way and there is only 2-3 hours on the island to explore.
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Leo S
VerifiedApril 17, 2024 Stayed at: 005, Loop: Sites 001-015
A great trip. Facilities were excellent. Day hikes were interesting. My buddy and I did a three night stay.
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Celina W
VerifiedApril 16, 2024 Stayed at: 010, Loop: Sites 001-015
Santa Rosa Island was an incredible experience. Wild flowers were in full bloom, we got to see foxes and even a couple whales on the ferry. Beaches were pristine. Prepare for wind this time of year. We had a day and a half of no wind and got to enjoy the sun on the beach. Campsite is clean and has running water and flushable toilets. Be prepared for a remote experience. Park Rangers housing is a bit away from campsite so you are likely to not see them.
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Rachel C
VerifiedApril 10, 2024 Stayed at: 004, Loop: Sites 001-015
Great trip! Water Campground reached 30+ mph winds at night, but the windbreaks were helpful. Potable water and flush toilets reduced weight on the 1.5 mi hike from the pier to the campground. Other amenities including picnic tables and bear/fox boxes made for a good experience. Short walk to the beach, with longer hikes accessible from the campground and along coastal road. Park rangers, campers, and day users were friendly.
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Location & Directions for Santa Rosa Island
1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001 United States
Elevation: 36 ft
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
Ventura, CA
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Managed by the National Park Service