Santa Barbara Island
Once visitors have scaled the rugged cliffs using the steep trail from the Landing Cove, they will be rewarded with a campground perched on the bluffs with magnificent coastal views.
Santa Barbara lies much further south than the other four northern Channel Islands and is the smallest, measuring just one square mile. The islands' native vegetation is recovering slowly with the help of the National Park Service's restoration efforts. This recovery, along with the removal of nonnative predators, has aided in the reestablishment of nesting land birds and seabirds. The island is one of the most important seabird nesting sites within the Channel Islands, with 11 nesting species, including western gulls, California brown pelicans, three species of cormorants, three species of storm-petrels, and one of the world's largest colonies of Scripps's murrelets. The rocky shores of Santa Barbara Island also provide resting and breeding areas for California sea lions, harbor seals and northern elephant seals.
Santa Barbara Island Campground offers 10 campsites (4 persons per site). Camping is primitive and campers must bring their own food, equipment and water. Picnic table, food storage box and pit toilet are provided. Distance from landing to campground is a quarter-mile and includes a 200-foot climb. Access to the island is by Island Packers Cruises or by private boat. Due to the Island Packer boat schedule, minimum stay is generally three days.
Need to Know
- Santa Barbara Island may only be reached by boat. Visitors are required to arrange boat transportation to the island before reserving a campsite. Contact the park's authorized concessioner Island Packers or use your own private boat.
- Camping reservations are required prior to arriving on the island. There are NO walk-ups at this facility.
One party or group may reserve a maximum of 2 individual sites per visit. There are 10 individual campsites. Max 4 people per site.
- Upon arrival, meet ranger at beach, landing dock or campground. However, park staff is not always available on the island. Please have confirmation letter, receipt, or campsite number with you.
- Hike In Distance to Site: 1/4 mile. Visitors must carry all their own gear.
- Primitive camping. Tent camping only, no electricity/water/sewer site hook-ups at this campground. Bring low profile tents and extra food for weather delays. No shelter or shade. Picnic table, food storage box, vault toilet provided. Must bring your own water. No stores or services.
Quiet time is enforced at 10:00 pm. Check-in and check-out times are at 11:00 a.m.
- Proper food and trash storage is required. Food/Trash storage lockers are provided at each site. Recommend hard-sided container (i.e. action packer) to further protect food/garbage from animals.
- Visitors are required to pack out what they pack in, including garbage.
- No campfires or charcoal fires. Only enclosed gas camp stoves are allowed.
- Smoking is only allowed on the dock.
- Avoid contact with deer mice. Hantavirus has been found in island deer mice. For more information visit: https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/hantavirus.htm.
To help prevent the introduction of nonnative species the following items may not be brought to the park: pets; live or potted plants; soil; cut flowers; firewood or any untreated, unfinished wood (including hiking sticks); corrugated boxes; tools or equipment with attached soil; motorized vehicles; bicycles; and single-use plastic grocery bags. Prior to departure, visitors are required to use pest-proof packing materials, inspect and clean their gear and shoes of all soil, seeds, and insects. Learn more about biosecurity and watch the required video at Protect Your Park Through Biosecurity.
- No fishing in marine reserves. California fishing license and ocean enhancement sticker required to fish outside marine reserves.
- Kayakers: ocean conditions can rapidly change, requiring expert abilities. Ocean kayaking is an inherently dangerous activity. Always check weather and do not kayak beyond your experience level.
- Since Santa Barbara Island is a cliff island, access to the water is only at the Landing Cove via a dock. There are no other accessible beaches unless you have a watercraft.
- No off- trail hiking is allowed. Portions of trails are subject to closure when pelicans are nesting from January through August.
Natural Features
Steep cliffs on this small island rise above rocky shores and give way to a grassy mesa flanked with twin peaks. The highest point, Signal Peak, is 635 feet in elevation.
Nearby Attractions
The Landing Cove near the campground is an ideal place for swimming, diving, snorkeling and kayaking, but there are no lifeguards on the island.
The island is also home to just over five miles of trails that meander over gentle slopes and low mountain tops to dramatic overlooks and magnificent coastal views. All hikers must stay on the trails for visitor safety and to protect fragile vegetation and nesting seabirds. No off-trail hiking is allowed. Portions of trails are subject to closure when pelicans are nesting from January through August.
Recreation
With five miles of hiking trails, ocean access nearby the campground and generally good weather, Santa Barbara Island offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, swimming, snorkeling, diving, kayaking and wildlife/wildflower viewing. Since Santa Barbara Island is a cliff island, access to the water is only at the Landing Cove via a dock. There are no other accessible beaches unless you have a watercraft. There are no services on the island, so all gear has to be brought to the island. For more information about recreational activities in the park, visit https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/index.htm.
Contact Information
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1901 Spinnaker Drive Ventura CA 93001
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 805-658-5730
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
Boat transportation can be arranged with Island Packers from Ventura Harbor.
To park headquarters in Ventura, California: Highway 101, exit Victoria or Seaward to Ventura Harbor.
Available Campsites
- Site 006, Loop SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 007 old, Loop SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 001 old, Loop SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 004 old, Loop SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 005A, Loop SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 003 old, Loop SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 006 old, Loop SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 008 old, Loop SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 002 old, Loop SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 009 old, Loop SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 005B, Loop SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 005 old, Loop SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
