Santa Rosa Island
Campground · California · 15 bookable sites ·
Managed by the National Park Service
Channel Islands National Park (National Park) · Open Access
- 15
- Bookable sites
- up to 5
- People per site
- 118 ft
- Elevation
Overview
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.
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.
For more information about recreational activities in the park, visit https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/index.htm.
Facilities
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.
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.Nearby Attractions
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.
Access to a highly recommended beach, Water Canyon Beach, is just over a mile from the Bechers Bay pier. 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.
The facts
- 15 bookable sites
- 16 sites in total, including non-bookable
- Up to 5 people per site
- Loops: SANTA ROSA ISLAND, Sites 001-015
Site types
- 15 Tent Only Nonelectric
- 1 Management
Amenities
- Picnic tables
- Campfires allowed — not available
- Pets allowed — not available
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, grills, shade.
16 campsites at Santa Rosa Island
Check-in 12:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Access | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TENT NONELECT | SANTA ROSA ISLAND | Management | — | — | Hike In | Island | — | 5 | |
| 001 | Sites 001-015 | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Island | — | 5 | |
| 002 | Sites 001-015 | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Island | — | 5 | |
| 003 | Sites 001-015 | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Island | — | 5 | |
| 004 | Sites 001-015 | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Island | — | 5 | |
| 005 | Sites 001-015 | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Island | — | 5 | |
| 006 | Sites 001-015 | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Island | — | 5 | |
| 007 | Sites 001-015 | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Island | — | 5 | |
| 008 | Sites 001-015 | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Island | — | 5 | |
| 009 | Sites 001-015 | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Island | — | 5 | |
| 010 | Sites 001-015 | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Island | — | 5 | |
| 011 | Sites 001-015 | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Island | — | 5 | |
| 012 | Sites 001-015 | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Island | — | 5 | |
| 013 | Sites 001-015 | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Island | — | 5 | |
| 014 | Sites 001-015 | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Island | — | 5 | |
| 015 | Sites 001-015 | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Island | — | 5 |
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.
33.99105, -120.04815 · 33°59'27.8"N 120°2'53.3"W
Typical weather
Typically 72°F in Aug, down to 62°F in Feb.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 64 | 62 | 65 | 65 | 68 | 68 | 71 | 72 | 71 | 72 | 68 | 63 |
| Low °F | 43 | 44 | 46 | 48 | 51 | 54 | 57 | 57 | 56 | 51 | 46 | 42 |
| Precip in | 4.7 | 4.3 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 2.8 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 30.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Santa Rosa Island
- Can you reserve a site at Santa Rosa Island?
- Yes, Santa Rosa Island is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Santa Rosa Island have?
- 16 sites in total, of which 15 can be booked.
- Are pets allowed at Santa Rosa Island?
- No, pets are not allowed at Santa Rosa Island.
- Are campfires allowed at Santa Rosa Island?
- Campfires are not allowed at Santa Rosa Island.
Camping near Santa Rosa Island
- Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping 2.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- San Miguel Island 17.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry 22.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Santa Cruz Island Scorpion 28.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Anacapa Island 39 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Fremont Campground 40.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Paradise Campground 40.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Los Prietos 40.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Prisoners Harbor Campground 21.1 mi · Campground
- Outdoors Santa Barbara Visitor Center 35 mi · Facility
- Visitor Center Anacapa Island 39.2 mi · Visitor Center
- La Cumbre Peak Day Use 39.7 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 805-658-5730
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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