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
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
Andrea A
VerifiedMay 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Sites 001-015
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.
Pritam M
VerifiedMay 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Sites 001-015
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.
steven g
VerifiedMay 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Sites 001-015
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!
William K
VerifiedApril 30, 2023 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Sites 001-015
Use the boulders stacked beside each windbreak for extra wind protection for your tent.
Dylan L
VerifiedApril 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Sites 001-015
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.
Adam M
VerifiedApril 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Sites 001-015
What an amazing place. So beautiful, so remote. Like no other place on earth!!
Adam O
VerifiedApril 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Sites 001-015
This was one of my best camping experiences. Much of the time it feels like you have the island to yourselves.
Susanne E
VerifiedApril 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Sites 001-015
Transportation got canceled
Ian K
VerifiedMarch 20, 2023 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Sites 001-015
Beautiful!! Only problem was the roads. But that is to be forgiven since it was the largest amount of rain California has seen in decades
Margaret N
VerifiedFebruary 27, 2023 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Sites 001-015
Wild flowers in mid Feb: amazing! Beautiful hikes, in all directions. And enthusiastic, helpful rangers, particularly Kim.
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
