CAMPING IN THE CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK - SANTA ROSA ISLAND
Santa Rosa Island Camping in the Channel Islands National Park requires that you must have both a boat reservation and a campground reservation. By clicking the two buttons to the right, you will be able to view both the reservation system for the boat and for the campground in two separate windows. You can use these programs to check availability.
Please review both links below to help in the ease & speed of the loading of all camping gear:
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Santa Rosa Island Camper Transport Fares |
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Ticket Type |
Age Range |
Round Trip |
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Adult |
13-54 Years |
$ 134 |
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Senior |
55 Years + |
$ 122 |
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Child |
3-12 Years |
$ 105 |
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Infant (Must Reserve) |
Under 3 Years |
$ 00.00 |
About the Campground
Santa Rosa Island Camping – Campground sites are 1.5 miles from the pier along the flat Coastal Road trail. A slight incline leads to a view of the campgrounds as you enter the canyon. There are 15 sites, each site may have up to a five people maximum. Campground is site specific.
Facilities
A picnic table, food storage box and wind break are at each site. Fresh water is available in the campground area. Restroom facilities include flushing toilets, a shower and a large sink for washing dishes. (Showers are closed due to drought).
Campsites
Campsites are site specific and must be booked in advance of your mainland departure. Santa Rosa campsites are often full several months before the trip date, so check the campsite availability before booking your boat transportation.
BACK COUNTRY CAMPING
Santa Rosa Island offers Back Country camping from August 15 through December 31st. (Island Packer Service to SRI usually ends in late November.)
Back Country camping offers a rugged backpacking / kayaking experience for those who are well-prepared for a wilderness experience. There are no facilities or fresh water in the back country.
Back Country Camping Seasonal Availability:
August 15 – September 15: Only East Point to South Point Beaches (Southeast Quadrant) are open to back country camping for boaters, kayakers, and backpackers.
September 16 – December 31: Southeast, Southwest, and Northwest Quadrant beaches are open to back country camping. Beaches around Sandy Point, at Lobo Canyon, and Northeast Quadrant beaches (between Carrington Point and East Point) remain closed to camping.
National Park Service Warning: back country camping is an incredible experience, but it’s not for the inexperienced backpacker or kayaker. Due to difficult weather, rugged terrain, and off-trail hiking, back country camping is an arduous endeavor and should be undertaken only by experienced, well-conditioned backpackers & kayakers.
CAMPING PREPARATION | WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW & BRING
- Please arrive at your harbor of departure a full hour before your departure time. Late arriving gear may not be loaded onto the boat.
- An Island Packers reservation.
- A campsite reservation.
- Food for your time on the island.
- Water Canyon Campground: Fresh/Potable water is available in the campground area. Dish washing should be done at the outside sink on the left side of the restroom facility
- Back Country Camping: There is no fresh/potable water in the back country. You can fill water bottles in the Water Canyon campground area.
- Kitchen utensils and camp stove (No campfires are permitted)
- Tent(s) and sleeping bag(s)
- Flashlight or lantern
- Sturdy shoes and warm clothes for the cool evenings that can occur year-round.
- Gear that meets the Island Packers Restrictions/Guidelines
- Hat, Sunscreen and long-sleeved shirt for UV protection. UV is present even on overcast days.
- NO Single Item weighing more than 45 LBS (required)
ATTENTION CAMPERS:
During the rough weather months, November through May, you will need to make sure Island Packers’ schedule has not been changed due to ocean and/or weather conditions before you leave the camping area for the day.
Schedule changes are relayed to the park in the morning and the bulletin board or the ranger will have schedule change information. Campers during these month should come prepared with extra food in case weather prevents us from our planned pick up.
Important Links to Additional Information:
Get the National Park Service App!
Island Packers recommends visitors utilize the National Park Service App for a more complete island experience. 420 + Parks all in one App. Find interactive maps, tours of park places, on-the-ground accessibility information, and more. Download before you go so you can use it offline at the islands! The app is free and available online.