Santa Rosa Island

White sand dune next to a steep coastal bluff with ocean.
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
Eight foot tall wind shelters on a dry, grassy terrace overlooking the ocean.

Featured amenities

General Store General Store
Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

15 total sites

Tent Sites

15 sites

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.

Number of accommodations: 15

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Birding

Birding

Year-round
Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Kayaking

Kayaking

Spring Summer Fall
Swimming

Swimming

Summer

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
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

15 Sites Available

Site
Price
001, Loop: Sites 001-015 Tent
5 guests
Price not available
002, Loop: Sites 001-015 Tent
5 guests
Price not available
003, Loop: Sites 001-015 Tent
5 guests
Price not available
004, Loop: Sites 001-015 Tent
5 guests
Price not available
005, Loop: Sites 001-015 Tent
5 guests
Price not available
006, Loop: Sites 001-015 Tent
5 guests
Price not available
007, Loop: Sites 001-015 Tent
5 guests
Price not available
008, Loop: Sites 001-015 Tent
5 guests
Price not available
009, Loop: Sites 001-015 Tent
5 guests
Price not available
010, Loop: Sites 001-015 Tent
5 guests
Price not available
011, Loop: Sites 001-015 Tent
5 guests
Price not available
012, Loop: Sites 001-015 Tent
5 guests
Price not available
013, Loop: Sites 001-015 Tent
5 guests
Price not available
014, Loop: Sites 001-015 Tent
5 guests
Price not available
015, Loop: Sites 001-015 Tent
5 guests
Price not available

Reviews (239)

What Guests Are Saying

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.

Review Summary

4.8
239 reviews
5
85.4%
204
4
13.4%
32
3
0.0%
0
2
0.4%
1
1
0.8%
2

steven r

Verified

December 18, 2019 Stayed at: 004, Loop: Sites 001-015

5

Windy yet beautiful and incredibly peaceful. Make sure you're prepared to hike in all of your belongings from the pier to the campground. You can make multiple trips if you need to. The wind (at least when I was there in early July) picks up considerably in the late afternoon and lasts throughout the night, but if you have warm clothes and a sturdy tent then it won't be a problem.

Pascale C

Verified

December 18, 2019 Stayed at: 006, Loop: Sites 001-015

5

This island is magical. I highly recommend spending time at the beach near the campgrounds. There are also many great hikes in any direction of the island.

An extra feature is the very well kept, clean bathrooms and the rangers coming to check in with everyone and doing free guided hikes.

Ron B

Verified

January 14, 2020 Stayed at: 003, Loop: Sites 001-015

5

Santa Rosa Island is a real gem away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. It is primitive camping but the water is beautiful along with the fog that rolls over the island. We saw numerous Island Foxes and they are very healthy with beautiful red coats. Maddy the Park Ranger was very helpful and knowledgeable. Highly recommended if you want to get away from the city.

Crystal E

Verified

January 14, 2020 Stayed at: 005, Loop: Sites 001-015

4

Awesome place to just "get away". I would recommend better trail signs and maybe some mile markers. Ether way I would definitely go again.

Nicole S

Verified

January 15, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: Sites 001-015

5

The rangers were very nice and informative during our stay. The campground was absolutely beautiful and well kept. Not to mention, the bathrooms were the cleanest bathrooms at a campsite I have ever seen!

Jan B

Verified

January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 012, Loop: Sites 001-015

5

We had a great experience staying at the Santa Rosa campground. We made the mistake of bringing (and carrying) fresh water. There is nice running water available! A 3 mile trek is much nicer without 8kg of water.

The campground is really nice, but it does get windy, so nail down the tents properly and use the wind shelters. The campgrounds closer to the valley were less windy in our opinion so if you can choose take the ones closest to the water.

The park rangers where very nice and helpful. And the toilets were very clean.

If you want cell phone reception: go up the hill behind the red farmhouse. It is your best bet.

There are amazingly cute foxes all over the campground. While you are eating, one comes to lure you away with its cuteness while another one sneaks in and steals food from the back. So, be careful with food lying around even for the shortest amount of time.

Every trek we did was really nice. Especially Lobo Canyon is a real must. Halfway through the trek there are some nice spots by the ocean to have a snack.

Were are definitely coming back to do the rest of the treks!

Belgium & Germany

Steven L

Verified

January 17, 2020 Stayed at: 014, Loop: Sites 001-015

5

Beautiful, secluded camping experience. Lots of amazing hikes, friendly local foxes, and the campsite is maintained really well.

Jessica L

Verified

January 24, 2020 Stayed at: 014, Loop: Sites 001-015

5

Despite the remote location, I though the facilities were wonderful for camping. The shelters with food lockers and picnic tables made a great home base for long hike, and it was nice to have drinking water and real bathrooms. The island is surprising empty even when all the camp spots are full, so you can get some good quiet hikes if that's what you want.

Arya J

Verified

February 26, 2020 Stayed at: 010, Loop: Sites 001-015

5

Rangers were very helpful and kind! Made hiking and camping there very pleasant and safe by going over everything in detail.

Daniel C

Verified

March 8, 2020 Stayed at: 014, Loop: Sites 001-015

4

Very nice campground and facilities. Potable water is good. The only downside is it is a very long walk to get to most sites!

Location Santa Rosa Island

Address:
1901 Spinnaker Drive
Ventura, CA, 93001
United States

Highway access

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

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: September 7, 2026

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