Channel Islands National Park — ocean access, fishing, hikingLive availability via Recreation.gov· synced every 30 min
Ventura, CA, CA★ 4.8 (36 reviews)From $10/nightFederal campground · book on Recreation.gov
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.
Best for:AnglersHikersBoatersWildlife watchersFamiliesSites:Tent
LIVE · weather + fire + AQI + availability + wildlife
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseCheck-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
SeasonYear-round
Stay limit14 days
HookupsNo hookups.
PetsNot allowed
CampfiresNot permitted
Max/site6 people
Amenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedEssentials
Fire RingsElectric Hookups
Recreation
Picnic TablesFishing
Family & Pets
Drinking WaterBoat Launch
Straight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Known issuesFederal campground — book early. No hookups at most sites. Seasonal operations.
Skip it if:✕ Seeking hookups — no hookups available at these sites✕ Visiting outside mid-August through December — seasonal operations only✕ Unable to arrange private boat or authorized concessioner transportation to the island
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early as this is a federal campground with only 3 sites
Arrange transportation in advance through Island Packers or Channel Islands Aviation authorized concessioners
Only 3 tent sites available on the island
Best: August-December
Official operating season for backcountry beach camping per RIDB description
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetT-Mobile
4G · 0%
Verizon
4G · 0%
AT&T
4G · 0%
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmAlert: Santa Rosa Island Fox, Gray Whale, Northern Elephant Seal, Allen's Hummingbird, Common Raven, Horned Lark, Island Fence Lizard
Location
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
805-658-5730· Channel Islands National Park
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Channel Islands National Park fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Channel Islands National Park before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping cost per night?+
Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping costs $10 per night. Hookup options: No hookups.
What season is Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping open?+
Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping is open Year-round. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Does Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping have hookups?+
No hookups.
What is the maximum RV length at Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping?+
Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping is primarily a tent camping facility.
How do I make reservations at Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping?+
Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping is a federal campground — book 6 months ahead at Recreation.gov. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert to be notified the moment a site opens.
What is the cell service like at Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping?+
According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping is rated none. FCC maps show theoretical coverage — actual signal in remote or heavily forested areas may be weaker.
What season is Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping open, and what are check-in times?+
Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping is open Year-round. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
Recreation.gov — Live site availability — updated every 30 min
recreation.gov · RIDB API
National Weather Service — Live hourly forecast + active alerts
api.weather.gov · open-meteo.com
Google Air Quality API — Live AQI at exact campground coordinates
airquality.googleapis.com
iNaturalist — Research-grade wildlife within 8km
api.inaturalist.org
Google Pollen API — Today’s tree, grass & weed pollen forecast
pollen.googleapis.com
FCC Broadband Map — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile 4G/5G coverage data
broadbandmap.fcc.gov · quarterly
Sunrise-Sunset.org — Sunrise, sunset & golden hour for today
api.sunrise-sunset.org
Google Street View — Campground entrance & access road imagery
maps.googleapis.com
RIDB — ADA sites, hookups, toilets, pets, campfire rules, bear boxes, max RV, activities, contact, directions
ridb.recreation.gov · /facilities /campsites /activities /links /recareas
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
$10 /night★ 4.8 (36)
SeasonYear-round
Check-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
Dates full? Get an availability alert
FAQ
How much does Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping cost per night?+
What season is Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping open?+
Does Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping have hookups?+
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