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.
More like this: reservable in California · tent only in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Tent-only | 15 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
15 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Island | 5 / – | No | No |
| 002 | Island | 5 / – | No | No |
| 003 | Island | 5 / – | No | No |
| 004 | Island | 5 / – | No | No |
| 005 | Island | 5 / – | No | No |
| 006 | Island | 5 / – | No | No |
| 007 | Island | 5 / – | No | No |
| 008 | Island | 5 / – | No | No |
| 009 | Island | 5 / – | No | No |
| 010 | Island | 5 / – | No | No |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
Primitive camping is available at Water Canyon Campground (15 sites; 5 persons per site). Picnic table, food storage box, windbreak (8' tall, 10' deep, 14' wide at front, 8' wide at back), restroom and water are provided. The campground is a flat 1.5-mile hike from the pier and a 0.25-mile from the airstrip and Water Canyon Beach. Due to the boat schedule, minimum stay is generally three days.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Boat transportation can be arranged with Island Packers from Ventura Harbor. Air transportation can be arranged with Channel Islands Aviation from Camarillo airport. To park headquarters in Ventura, California: Highway 101, exit Victoria or Seaward to Ventura Harbor.
| Nearest town | Ventura, California |
| Coordinates | 33.9911° N, 120.0481° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Access to a highly recommended beach, Water Canyon Beach, is just over a mile from the Bechers Bay pier.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 31.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | Harder RV Storage ↗ | 35 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Surf N Wear's Beach House ↗ | 35.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Channel Islands National Park Camping - Santa Rosa Island
Worth a stop
Good tidepooling spots are located within Bechers Bay, including just east of the pier, the east end of Southeast Anchorage, and near East Point. A short hike from the campground is the Santa Rosa Island Torrey pine grove. This pine is considered one of the rarest pines in the world-the last enduring members of a once widespread Pleistocene forest. Near the pier, visitors can see buildings and equipment of the historic Vail and Vickers ranch. The sandy beach lies on the northeastern shore of the island. Bechers Bay is a destination in itself, with buildings and equipment at the historic Vail and Vickers ranch.
- 1.1 miSanta Rosa Island Visitor Contact Station ↗Visitor center
Other campgrounds nearby
Natural features
Santa Rosa has a landscape of remarkable contrasts. High mountains with deeply cut canyons give way to gently rolling grass-covered hills, extensive beaches and coastal wetlands. The altitude ranges from sea level to 1,589 feet.
Recreation
Several trails and roads traverse the island, providing visitors with spectacular hiking opportunities, including the relatively flat route to Water Canyon Beach to the rugged, mountainous path to Black Mountain. Due to the strong, persistent wind, swimming, snorkeling, diving and kayaking are limited and recommended for the experienced visitor only. Despite the wind, Santa Rosa Island offers exceptional beach walking on white sand beaches. Access to one of the best beaches, Water Canyon Beach, is just over a mile from the pier in Bechers Bay and just down canyon from the campground. Beach access is also available near the pier. No fishing is allowed within the marine reserves located around the island. Fishing is allowed outside of these areas.
Guidebooks for Channel Islands National Park and California
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Santa Rosa Island?
Sites at Santa Rosa Island are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Santa Rosa Island?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Santa Rosa Island have?
16 sites, including 15 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Santa Rosa Island?
Santa Rosa Island is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Santa Rosa Island?
Several trails and roads traverse the island, providing visitors with spectacular hiking opportunities, including the relatively flat route to Water Canyon Beach to the rugged, mountainous path to Black Mountain. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Santa Rosa Island?
Ventura, California. Good tidepooling spots are located within Bechers Bay, including just east of the pier, the east end of Southeast Anchorage, and near East Point.
Source: Getting there
What if Santa Rosa Island is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping (2.6 mi), San Miguel Island (17.6 mi), and Santa Cruz Island Prisoners Harbor (21 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
Which national park is Santa Rosa Island in?
Santa Rosa Island is a Channel Islands National Park campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.
Source: Channel Islands National Park