NPS · Channel Islands National Park · Ventura, CA

Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping

Backcountry beach camping is available mid-August through December along Santa Rosa Island's extensive, beautiful, and undeveloped 55-mile coastline. This coastline is reminiscent of California in days gone by. The rocky coast and sandy beaches are much the same as the ones the Chumash Indians, Spanish explorers, and early ranchers may have known. This remote, fragile environment is critical for s In 1992, the National Park Service opened the island to backcountry beach camping in recognition of its rare wilderness values. As you explore these wild areas by kayak or on foot, please take responsibility to help us protect and preserve these delicate natural resources for future generations.

Reservable · Recreation.gov 33 sitesTents only

More like this: reservable in California · tent only in California

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗

Photos courtesy of Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Tent-only

Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

6 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

Site	Loop	Waterfront	People / vehicles	Fires	Pets
NW01	Northwest Quadrant Dispersed Camping	Island,	4 / –	No	No
Northwest Quadrant Dispersed Camping	Northwest Quadrant Dispersed Camping	Oceanfront	4 / –
SE01	Southeast Quadrant Dispersed Camping	Island,	4 / –	No	No
Southeast Quadrant Dispersed Camping	Southeast Quadrant Dispersed Camping	Oceanfront	4 / –
SW01	Southwest Quadrant Dispersed Camping	Island,	4 / –	No	No
Southwest Quadrant Dispersed Camping	Southwest Quadrant Dispersed Camping	Oceanfront	4 / –

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 11:00 AM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Amenities & rules

Equipment

Tents

No facilities
This is primitive, dispersed, backcountry camping in tents with no established campsites nor electricity/water/sewer site hook-ups. Visitors must backpack to all locations and carry all of their own gear, food and water (see water information below).
Pack Out What You Pack In
Visitors are required to pack out what they pack in, including garbage and human waste. It is prohibited by law and regulation to leave human solid waste in the backcountry or in the wet intertidal sand. Human waste and toilet paper must be packed out for proper disposal using commercially available "waste bags".
Camp Only On Beaches
Visitors are required to camp on beaches. Camping is prohibited in any other areas, including coastal bluffs. Utilize sandy areas that are free of dune vegetation when hiking, landing water craft, and camping. Keep tents, kitchen areas, and traffic in "hardened" areas that are already bare from previous use. Do not damage live trees, plants, and other living things. It is not permitted to chop or
Water & Water Treatment
One gallon of water per person per day is recommended. Water weighs approximately 8 pounds per gallon. Potable water is available in the Water Canyon campground. During the backcountry camping season (mid-August through December), the only location outside the Water Canyon campground with an accessible, reliable water source is the Clapp Spring trough, approximately 7 miles from the pier [.6 miles
Although ten canyons may carry some degree of water intermittently throughout the year (except during dry years), water is not always available. Water found at the mouth of the canyons near beaches is likely to be brackish or dirty, walking up canyon for 5-10 minutes generally improves water quality. These ten canyons include: Water, Trancion, Bee, San Augustine, Wreck, Jolla Vieja, Arlington, Sol
Important Closures:
Year-round. Backcountry beach camping is prohibited between Lobo Canyon and East Point, between China Camp and Cluster Point, and all beaches around Sandy Point.
January 1 - August 14. All beaches are closed to backcountry beach camping to protect pupping seals/sealions and nesting seabirds.
August 15 - September 15. Northwest and northeast beaches are closed to camping. Only the Southeast Quadrant (East Point to South Point Beaches) is open to backcountry camping. From September 16 through December 31, all Southeast, Southwest, and Northwest Quadrant beaches are open to backcountry camping.
March 1 to September 15. Back beaches and sand dunes between and including Skunk Point to just north of East Point are closed to hiking to protect the nesting area for the snowy plover, a federally listed, threatened shorebird. Please remain on the wet sand (below mean high tide) or the throughout this area.
Additional Information

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →

The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Santa Barbara 11 W, 32 miles from the campground at 18 feet, station USW00053152 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 19 inches a year.

Getting there

Backcountry campers must first secure transportation to Santa Rosa Island by their own private boat or through Island Packers or Channel Islands Aviation the park's authorized concessioners.

Nearest town	Ventura, California
Coordinates	33.9774° N, 120.0896° W · Directions ↗

Good to know

The following information will help you enjoy your visit while leaving the smallest impact on the islan Warning: While backcountry camping is an incredible experience, it is not for the inexperienced
However, it is not recommended for camping as this beach is very, small and may be washed out at higher tides.
It is not permitted to chop or Water & Water Treatment One gallon of water per person per day is recommended.
During the backcountry camping season (mid-August through December), the only location outside the Water Canyon campground with an accessible, reliable water source is the Clapp Spring trough, approxi

Supplies & services

Dump station	Dump station ↗	33.3 mi
RV sales & service	Harder RV Storage ↗	37 mi
Outdoor gear	Surf N Wear's Beach House ↗	37.8 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Channel Islands National Park Camping - Santa Rosa Island

Worth a stop

3.1 mi
Santa Rosa Island Visitor Contact Station ↗Visitor center

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Natural features

Weather Weather conditions are generally best from August through October, with relatively calm wind and sea conditions and virtually no rain. Backpackers and kayakers should be prepared for strong northwest winds throughout the year, with the possibility of strong east or Santa Ana winds from October through January. The average wind speed is 15 knots, although speeds of 40 to 50 knots are not uncommon. Occasionally, the south side of the island (South Point to East Point) offers protection from these strong winds. Dense fog is common making chart and compass navigation mandatory. Ocean Conditions Kayakers may encounter strong ocean currents around the islands. Intense wave and surf conditions exist around the Carrington Point area. Sheer cliffs rise out of the ocean, reflecting incoming waves back out to sea, creating a washing machine effect. In this turbulent area there are no places to land, even in an emergency. The first landable beach is Lobo Canyon, five miles west of the ranch area pier.

Recreation

Boat and Airplane Drop Off Points.
The park boat concessionaire, Island Packers, drops off and picks up kayakers and backpackers at the Bechers Bay pier. Campers should coordinate purchasing boat tickets in conjunction with making campground reservations.
There is currently no park airline concessionaire, private landings on the airstrip near Water Canyon, or anywhere else on the island, is prohibited.
Trail Conditions.
Hiking to beach camping areas requires travel along rugged exposed mountainous roads, trails, and unmaintained routes often created by island animals. Expect high winds and sunny conditions with no shade or cover. Navigating beaches and bluffs may be possible depending on ocean conditions and commonly require hiking across drainages and badlands. It is recommended to carry tide charts when navigat
Maps.
Please refer to topographical maps for more accurate mileage and to help with the following descriptions. It is recommended that all backcountry campers have both digital and physical maps. Backpackers should carry topographic maps (USGS 7.5 minute maps or the Trails Illustrated map of all the islands) and kayakers carry nautical charts before departing on their journey.
Hiking and Kayaking Distances to Beach Camping Areas.
Backcountry campers should be prepared to hike 10+ miles (16 km+) on their first and last days in the backcountry regardless of itinerary. While some beaches are less than 10 miles away, you may arrive to find your destination beach unavailable (occupied by other campers, covered in pinnipeds, under water from high tides, etc.) and need to hike to the next available beach.
Southeast Quadrant (August 15-December 31)
East Point from Pier: 7 mi (11 km) hiking; 8 mi (13 km) kayaking*
East Point to Ford Point: 8 mi (13 km) hiking; 5 mi (8 km) kayaking
Ford Point via South (Wreck) Road from Pier: 9 mi (14.5 km) hiking+
Ford Point to Johnsons Lee: 4 mi (6.5 km) hiking; 3.5 (6 km) kayaking+
Johnsons Lee (via East Point) from Pier: 18 mi (29 km) hiking; 16 mi (26 km) kayaking
Johnsons Lee via Main (Soledad) Road from Pier: 14 mi (22.5 km) hiking+
Johnsons Lee via South (Wreck) Road from Pier: 13.5 mi (22 km) hiking+
La Jolla Vieja via South (Wreck) Road from Pier: 11.2 mi (18 km) hiking+
Camping Just South of East Point is NOT Recommended. While no camping is allowed at East Point, there is a small pocket beach just to the south in the Southeast Quadrant. However, it is not recommended for camping as this beach is very, small and may be washed out at higher tides. In addition, pounding surf and strong winds constantly reshape this beach.
Hiking Beyond East Point. If hiking beyond East Point to Ford Point, it is recommended that you follow the ridge line or road until you reach the northeast ridge of San Augustine Canyon. Follow this ridge down to the mouth of the canyon. Hiking along the beach from East Point to Ford Point is impossible due to section of vertical cliffs that drop directly into the ocean. However, kayakers can a

Guidebooks for Channel Islands National Park and California

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Your Guide to Channel Islands National Park
Michael Oswald, 2012
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Moon California Camping
Tom Stienstra, 2022
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Camping Northern California
Linda Parker Hamilton, 2016
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