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Santa Barbara Island Campground

Channel Islands National Park, California

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As of October 2026, Santa Barbara Island Campground is a campground in Channel Islands National Park, California with 10 campsites. Santa Barbara Island Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

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Santa Barbara Island Campground is located at 33.4798° N, 119.0299° W.

people allowed on each site: 4

Santa Barbara Island Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

November 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

Mid-stay changes allowed
Campsites held at once: 2 campsite(s) held
Maximum reservations at once: 5 reservations
Maximum per transaction: 2 reservations per transaction

Published by Recreation.gov for Santa Barbara Island Campground, read on September 30, 2026.

Campsites at Santa Barbara Island Campground

12345A5B6789

Tent 10

Amenities

restrooms
potable water

At a glance: Setting: Mountain.

Things to do: boating, swimming, hiking, wildlife, climbing, photography.

All sites at Santa Barbara Island Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Every site is in the SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA loop.

Site	Type	Sleeps
001	Tent	4
002	Tent	4
003	Tent	4
004	Tent	4
005A	Tent	4
005B	Tent	4
006	Tent	4
007	Tent	4
008	Tent	4
009	Tent	4

About Santa Barbara Island Campground

Overview

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.

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

Rules and notices at Santa Barbara Island Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 30, 2026. Check Santa Barbara Island Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

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.

Recreation.gov permit and campground cancellations →

Santa Barbara Island Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Santa Barbara Island Campground?

Santa Barbara Island Campground is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.

How do I find last-minute availability at Santa Barbara Island Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Santa Barbara Island Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Santa Barbara Island Campground have?

Santa Barbara Island Campground has 10 campsites.