Conditions described here were accurate only as of the date shown and may have changed. This is not a substitute for current official information from the agency with jurisdiction. See the full notice. Full notice.
Santa Rosa Island Camping Reopens October 14, Southeast Stays Closed
Water Canyon Campground and beach camping in two quadrants return after the spring fire. The burn area does not.
Overnight camping returns to parts of Santa Rosa Island on October 14, Channel Islands National Park says. Water Canyon Campground and the designated backcountry beach camping areas in the island's northwest and southwest quadrants reopen that day. The southeast quadrant stays closed to backcountry camping, and no permits will be issued there for the rest of the 2026 season. The burn area remains closed to visitors.
The Santa Rosa Island Fire burned 18,379 acres between May 15 and June 4. The park says crews are still stabilizing hillsides in the Torrey pine grove, clearing culverts and protecting cultural and natural sites ahead of a likely El Niño winter. Other resource-protection closures stay in effect.
Water Canyon Campground is about a mile and a half from the Bechers Bay pier and has toilets, picnic tables, food storage boxes, drinking water and wind shelters. Everything else is carried in and out. The park describes backcountry beach camping as a remote wilderness trip for experienced, well-conditioned backpackers and kayakers, with long distances, strong wind, tides and little reliable water.
Reservations are required for both, through Recreation.gov. Existing reservations for October 14 or later stay valid and do not need rebooking. Book the boat or plane to the island before the campsite, and check the park's conditions page before leaving, since closures on the island can change.
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