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Channel Islands National Park › California
› Ventura County
› Santa Rosa Island Campground
› Campsite #3
Campsite #3 at Santa Rosa Island Campground, Channel Islands National Park, CA
$15
Tent Site #3
| Walk-In | 5 people |
| 0 | good |
3/5
4/29
Campsite #3 Features: Walk-In access, Back-In parking, Food Storage Locker, Picnic Table, Tent Site
Campsite Reviews (20)
5.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 90% |
| 4 star | | 10% |
| 3 star | | 0% |
| 2 star | | 0% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@KevinW7927630 · Camped on Mar 21, 2025 at Campsite #3
My best camp/ outdoor experience yet! So many hiking destinations/ trails. The campsites were full, yet hiking the trails I felt as if I was totally by myself! Campground amenities were better than expected. Be prepared for Mother Nature to provide beauty and adversity (harsh conditions)!
Some Coverage
@Elizabeth20437 · Camped on Oct 20, 2024 at Campsite #3
Saw so many dolphins and whales on the boat ride over! We also lucked out and got perfect weather while we were on the island. Hiking to Carrington Point was definitely a highlight because we got some beautiful views and saw sea lions!
No Service
@AndrewW8618299 · Camped on Jun 29, 2023 at Campsite #3
Beautiful Island, nice clean amenities. The only thing that could make it better would be re-opening the campground showers.
@AdamO2745518 · Camped on Mar 26, 2023 at Campsite #3
This was one of my best camping experiences. Much of the time it feels like you have the island to yourselves.
No Service
@Sebastian79906 · Camped on Nov 23, 2022 at Campsite #3
We thoroughly enjoyed our time there. The boat ride there was great, and the campsite is not too far from the pier. The campsite has a flush toilet with potable water. It didn't get too windy the first day, but it did pick up the next. There is little to no shade on the island so make sure to plan accordingly.
Major Issues
@MarkM2223984 · Camped on Sep 10, 2022 at Campsite #3
A really awesome time. Highlight was definitely Lobo Canyon. The view from the front of the campground is amazing seeing Santa Cruz through the opening of the canyon, but I think if I ever go again I'd stay in the back just to be further away from the bathroom and foot traffic from the campground entry path.
Some Coverage
@ElizabethB5852 · Camped on Jun 12, 2022 at Campsite #3
The ranger & the staff did an excellent job. We'll be back next year!
Excellent
@ElizabethB5852 · Camped on Jun 10, 2022 at Campsite #3
Everything was fantastic! The park ranger was friendly and very informative! We will definitely be back!
Excellent
@AlisonS1119816 · Camped on May 23, 2022 at Campsite #3
The experience of getting to and staying on Santa Rosa for a couple nights was amazing. We visited Santa Rosa at the end of May. The ferry wasnt too crowded. The amount of marine life we saw on our way to the island was incredible, I would highly recommend making the extra effort to travel to Santa Rosa for this. The weather on the island was foggy in the morning but it burns off midday and could get pretty warm as there is not much shade, so come prepared with sunscreen and a cover up. The campsite was perfect for our needs and the facilities were very well kept (kudos to everyone for keeping them clean). The trail maps they give you and the signage could use some improvement as theyre not the easiest to follow but it added to our adventure. We highly recommend visiting Santa Rosa and we had a great time!
Some Coverage
@NancyC3864592 · Camped on Apr 29, 2022 at Campsite #3
It's was very windy . Makes use you have the right tent and sleeping bag with you.
@HoytT562 · Camped on Oct 19, 2021 at Campsite #3
California the way it used to be. You may think that is good or not-so-good.
No Service
@PhuongN423 · Camped on Oct 6, 2021 at Campsite #3
Currently, the only boat-ride time change update is from a ranger at about 7 AM on the day of departure at the Water Canyon Campground. Backpackers on beaches should come to Water Canyon Campground early the day of departure for the update, or stay back on the island until the next pickup.
No Service
@ChristinaV461 · Camped on Aug 4, 2021 at Campsite #3
Bucket list!
@AlishaC447 · Camped on Mar 12, 2021 at Campsite #3
Just incredible. Iām a solo female traveler and felt completely safe here. So worth it. Just go.
Major Issues
@AlishaC7090865 · Camped on Mar 12, 2021 at Campsite #3
Just incredible. Im a solo female traveler and felt completely safe here. So worth it. Just go.
Major Issues
@sungb76C25F909 · Camped on Nov 15, 2020 at Campsite #3
I really enjoyed the hiking to East Point and Lobo Canyon. Those two involve long hiking but worth it. * For the East Point Hike:If you can time the low tide period with your hiking, you can walk along the sand bar which is stretched far out to the sea. But this is only allowed during the off season. It will add a couple of miles more to your already long hike. But totally worth it.* For the Lobo Canyon Hike:Even after you reached the shore after hiking through the canyon, do not stop there. You can still hike a couple of miles more along the coast to the west. The scenery is best along the coast.
No Service
@SarahA7073307 · Camped on Oct 4, 2020 at Campsite #3
This is a terrific place to camp for a few days. The beaches and water are exceptionally beautiful, there are some great hikes, (Lobo Canyon and Torrey Pine Forest), and the cutest Island foxes running around. The campground feels really luxurious for tent camping, because of the shelters and picnic tables provided, as well as clean bathrooms with flushing toilets, and last but not least - the plentiful water. The 1.5-mile trek with all your gear is a fair amount of work, and it'll be in the heat of the day, but worth it. We had a lot of gear so we brought a sturdy collapsable wagon, and also had backpacks. There are some mosquitoes and a lot of flies, but we were able to manage. The wind can be an issue, though it wasn't at all windy for us. Another fun thing about this location is the boat trip out and back; we saw a blue whale and plenty of dolphins close up, and on the way back the captain motored fully into a huge sea cave. My final word is that I highly recommend camping on Santa Rosa. Have fun!
No Service
@PaulD5437485 · Camped on Sep 30, 2020 at Campsite #3
I'm reluctant to rave too much about Santa Rosa Island because it is such a pristine gem of the Channel Islands and want to keep it a secret.All the other campers were well behaved and quiet along with keeping a safe distance.
@RonB1001477 · Camped on Aug 13, 2019 at Campsite #3
Santa Rosa Island is a real gem away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. It is primitive camping but the water is beautiful along with the fog that rolls over the island. We saw numerous Island Foxes and they are very healthy with beautiful red coats. Maddy the Park Ranger was very helpful and knowledgeable. Highly recommended if you want to get away from the city.
Some Coverage
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