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
No sites found matching your criteria.
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.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
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
Madeline C
VerifiedAugust 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: Sites 001-015
Jenn B
VerifiedAugust 14, 2023 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Sites 001-015
Loved our trip out here to Santa Rosa, but it wasn't an easy one. Lots of preparations. Very windy! Hiking was the best and the beach was not - based on the wind factor. Going to the beach required eye protection and skin protection as the sand felt like small glass shards. I wore a wrap which helped me, but hubby and kiddos suffered. Snorkel gear was recommended which we bought, but didn't use. Go for the isolated island experience, little island foxes, ravens, remoteness, family games and terrific hiking. Bring: lantern, food, that is easy to pack and prepare, light camping gear (smallest stove possible if you can manage) and fit it all in a large plastic box so the foxes can't get into it. Cart it in on a wagon (one wagon per 2 people as the hike in on sandy and rocky and sometimes steep terrain is 1.5 miles). Clothes (it was hot in August, but windy and cool at night + the boat ride out was cool so I recommend at least one pair of long pants, windbreaker, and l/s shirt along other clothes), sturdy shoes, and extras into backpacks. Water is available - we overpacked water. One last thing - the boat sometimes leaves early and no-one told us that. So be prepared for that possibility as well!
Miles B
VerifiedJuly 28, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: Sites 001-015
The boat ride, tent site and hiking were relaxing and scenic. Grounds were in good condition and bathrooms clean. Great adventure.
Andrew W
VerifiedJuly 10, 2023 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Sites 001-015
Beautiful Island, nice clean amenities. The only thing that could make it better would be re-opening the campground showers.
Mitchell G
VerifiedJune 14, 2023 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: Sites 001-015
We camped 3 nights on Santa Rosa Island and hiked each day. The pristine beach is spectacular with erosion, plant life, exposed sedimentary layers taking you back in time. The water is very cold and I could not stay in more that a few seconds before popping up. (We were there early June, 2023. We hiked Torrey Pines to Skunk Point and back, Black Mountain loop. Both are great. If I had to do it again I'd stay 5 nights to take in the 5 major hikes. If you take a wagon that is collapsible you can carry a lot more luxuries for your stay. We carried a full backpack, guitar, folding stool, lots of food and other things making our stay even better. The drinking water is good and the bathroom at the campsite is clean. A great overall experience.
Rocco P
VerifiedJune 14, 2023 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: Sites 001-015
Highly recommend. Great, well kept campsite. The island is beautiful. Lots of walking so be prepared.
Kathleen W
VerifiedMay 24, 2023 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Sites 001-015
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.
Max B
VerifiedMay 15, 2023 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Sites 001-015
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.
Sunny E
VerifiedMay 14, 2023 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: Sites 001-015
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!
Ron H
VerifiedMay 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: Sites 001-015
Campground was nice and the park rangers were friendly and knowledgeable.
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 4, 2026
