Openings · last 7 days
10
Booking reality
Campsite Sniper detected 10 site openings here in the last 7 days
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-232497
When Santa Rosa Island reopens
Santa Rosa Island's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
76
Openings · last 90 days
132
Weekday pattern
Detected openings by day of week · 90dSaturday accounted for the largest share of the openings Campsite Sniper detected. 35 of 132 openings detected in the last 90 days occurred on a Saturday (26.5%), with Wednesday (27) and Thursday (26) next in line.
Hour-of-day pattern
First detected by hour · local time · last 90 daysThe largest concentrations of detected openings were first detected during the 03:00 and 16:00 local-time hours. Those hours contained 50 of 132 detected openings (37.9%). Hours show when Campsite Sniper first detected each opening, in Pacific Time, not when the change was made upstream.
Lead-time profile
Days before stay date · percentilesHalf of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 13 days before the stay date; the middle 50% land 6–29.2 days out. Set an alert if you want Campsite Sniper to monitor future openings.
Highest-churn sites
Most openings · 90d| Site | Openings | Share of all openings |
|---|---|---|
| 015 | 18 | 13.6% |
| 002 | 18 | 13.6% |
| 006 | 16 | 12.1% |
| 009 | 13 | 9.8% |
| 011 | 10 | 7.6% |
Site 015 had the most detected openings in the last 90 days: 18. One free watch covers every site here.
02 · Availability Outlook · Nov 2, 2026 – May 3, 2027 · of 15 monitored sites
Of the 2,745 tracked site-nights (Nov 2, 2026 – May 3, 2027): 2,138 open for online reservation · 439 reserved · 168 closed.
Where the open windows are
22.1% of tracked site-nights are not currently open for online reservation. 2,138 of 2,745 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
Nov 2, 2026 – May 3, 2027Not open online22.1%
Open site-nights2,138 / 2,745
Reserved (of online inventory)439 / 2,577
Weekday openings1,297
Weekend openings841
Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 1,297 fall on weekdays and 841 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Nov 2026 – May 2027January holds the most room. 465 of 465 site-nights are still open there.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 15 sites| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 8 | Open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 2 | Open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 1 | Open | |
| Christmas | THU Dec 24 | 12 | Open |
| FRI Dec 25 | 12 | Open | |
| New Year | THU Dec 31 | 12 | Open |
| FRI Jan 1 | 15 | Open | |
| Memorial Day | FRI May 28 | 0 | None open |
| SAT May 29 | 0 | None open | |
| SUN May 30 | 0 | None open | |
| MON May 31 | 0 | None open |
Thanksgiving: no site is currently available for the complete three-night stay. individual Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights remain open. Christmas: 12 sites are available for the complete two-night stay. New Year: 12 sites are available for the complete two-night stay. Memorial Day: no online availability on any tracked night.
Best-availability sites
Most open site-nights · tracked window| Site | Open site-nights |
|---|---|
| 004 | 166 |
| 001 | 163 |
| 009 | 162 |
| 011 | 162 |
| 008 | 161 |
The 5 sites with the most open site-nights in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.
Next windows
As of Nov 2, 2026 snapshotNext open dateMon · Nov 2
Next open weekendFri · Nov 6
The next bookable night is Nov 2; the first open weekend starts Nov 6. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Stays and site detail
2,138 open site-nights across 15 sites at Santa Rosa Island, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
Multi-night stays. 110 2-night, 97 3-night, 55 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Nov 2 at site 001.
All 15 sites with current availability
| Site | Max RV | Hookups | Open site-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 004 | Not recorded | None | 166 | 112 nights | Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 20 +154 more |
| 001 | Not recorded | None | 163 | 113 nights | Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 6, Nov 7, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 20 +151 more |
| 009 | Not recorded | None | 162 | 96 nights | Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 6, Nov 7, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18 +150 more |
| 011 | Not recorded | None | 162 | 112 nights | Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 19, Nov 20, Nov 21, Nov 22, Nov 23 +150 more |
| 008 | Not recorded | None | 161 | 96 nights | Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 13, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 20, Nov 21 +149 more |
| 013 | Not recorded | None | 161 | 72 nights | Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 20 +149 more |
| 006 | Not recorded | None | 159 | 96 nights | Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 8, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 20, Nov 23 +147 more |
| 003 | Not recorded | None | 158 | 76 nights | Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 20, Nov 23, Nov 24 +146 more |
| 007 | Not recorded | None | 155 | 104 nights | Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 13, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 20, Nov 23 +143 more |
| 005 | Not recorded | None | 136 | 83 nights | Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 13, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 20, Nov 29 +124 more |
| 015 | Not recorded | None | 118 | 45 nights | Nov 8, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 26, Nov 29, Nov 30, Dec 1, Dec 2, Dec 3, Dec 4, Dec 5, Dec 6 +106 more |
| 002 | Not recorded | None | 116 | 76 nights | Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 13, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 20, Nov 28 +104 more |
| 012 | Not recorded | None | 115 | 63 nights | Jan 1, 2027, Jan 2, 2027, Jan 3, 2027, Jan 4, 2027, Jan 5, 2027, Jan 6, 2027, Jan 7, 2027, Jan 8, 2027, Jan 9, 2027, Jan 10, 2027, Jan 11, 2027, Jan 12, 2027 +103 more |
| 010 | Not recorded | None | 109 | 63 nights | Jan 1, 2027, Jan 2, 2027, Jan 3, 2027, Jan 4, 2027, Jan 5, 2027, Jan 6, 2027, Jan 7, 2027, Jan 8, 2027, Jan 9, 2027, Jan 10, 2027, Jan 11, 2027, Jan 12, 2027 +97 more |
| 014 | Not recorded | None | 97 | 63 nights | Jan 1, 2027, Jan 2, 2027, Jan 3, 2027, Jan 4, 2027, Jan 5, 2027, Jan 6, 2027, Jan 7, 2027, Jan 8, 2027, Jan 9, 2027, Jan 10, 2027, Jan 11, 2027, Jan 12, 2027 +85 more |
About Santa Rosa Island
Overview
Tucked away in a canyon to protect visitors from strong northwest winds, Water Canyon Campground offers exceptional island views, access to spectacular hiking opportunities and a nearby white sand beach.
Located 40 nautical miles from the Channel Islands National Park visitor center in Ventura, Santa Rosa is the second largest island in California at approximately 53,000 acres in size. The island landforms support a diverse array of plant and animal species including six plant species found nowhere on earth but Santa Rosa Island. The island also hosts over 100 bird and three land mammal species, including the endemic island fox.
Recreation
Several trails and roads traverse the island, providing visitors with spectacular hiking opportunities, including the relatively flat route to Water Canyon Beach to the rugged, mountainous path to Black Mountain.
Due to the strong, persistent wind, swimming, snorkeling, diving and kayaking are limited and recommended for the experienced visitor only. Despite the wind, Santa Rosa Island offers exceptional beach walking on white sand beaches. Access to one of the best beaches, Water Canyon Beach, is just over a mile from the pier in Bechers Bay and just down canyon from the campground. Beach access is also available near the pier.
No fishing is allowed within the marine reserves located around the island. Fishing is allowed outside of these areas.
For more information about recreational activities in the park, visit https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/index.htm .
Facilities
Primitive camping is available at Water Canyon Campground (15 sites; 5 persons per site). Picnic table, food storage box, windbreak (8' tall, 10' deep, 14' wide at front, 8' wide at back), restroom and water are provided. The campground is a flat 1.5-mile hike from the pier and a 0.25-mile from the airstrip and Water Canyon Beach. Due to the boat schedule, minimum stay is generally three days.
Natural Features
Santa Rosa has a landscape of remarkable contrasts. High mountains with deeply cut canyons give way to gently rolling grass-covered hills, extensive beaches and coastal wetlands. The altitude ranges from sea level to 1,589 feet.
Nearby Attractions
Good tidepooling spots are located within Bechers Bay, including just east of the pier, the east end of Southeast Anchorage, and near East Point.
A short hike from the campground is the Santa Rosa Island Torrey pine grove. This pine is considered one of the rarest pines in the world-the last enduring members of a once widespread Pleistocene forest. Near the pier, visitors can see buildings and equipment of the historic Vail and Vickers ranch.
Access to a highly recommended beach, Water Canyon Beach, is just over a mile from the Bechers Bay pier. The sandy beach lies on the northeastern shore of the island. Bechers Bay is a destination in itself, with buildings and equipment at the historic Vail and Vickers ranch.
15 monitored sitesNo hookupsIslandMax party 5
Getting there
Boat transportation can be arranged with Island Packers from Ventura Harbor. Air transportation can be arranged with Channel Islands Aviation from Camarillo airport. To park headquarters in Ventura, California: Highway 101, exit Victoria or Seaward to Ventura Harbor.
1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001805-658-5730
BirdingBoatingCampingFishingGuided Interpretive WalksHikingHistoric & Cultural SiteInformation SiteInterpretive ProgramsPhotographyPicnickingRanger StationSailingSea KayakingSnorkelingSwimmingWater AccessWater SportsWildernessWildlife Viewing
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-232497 · facility + sites
Photo gallery
Roll CS-232497 · Santa Rosa Island · Ventura CA12 frames · facility + sites
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Santa Rosa Island?
Reservations for Santa Rosa Island are made through Recreation.gov. The current snapshot shows substantial availability: 2,138 of 2,745 tracked site-nights are open (77.9%), though availability can change. Campsite Sniper has also detected 132 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Nov 2, 2026 16:20 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Santa Rosa Island?
Campsite Sniper detected 10 site-date openings at Santa Rosa Island in the last 7 days, 76 over 30 days and 132 over the last 90.
Which day of the week had the most detected openings at Santa Rosa Island?
Saturday accounted for the largest share of the openings Campsite Sniper detected in the last 90 days: 35 of 132 (26.5%). Days reflect when Campsite Sniper first detected each opening, not when the change occurred upstream.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Santa Rosa Island?
97 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Nov 2 at site 001. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which month has the most availability at Santa Rosa Island?
January 2027, with 465 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 465.
How far ahead of a stay do openings appear at Santa Rosa Island?
Half of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 13 days before the stay date; the middle 50% landed 6-29.2 days out. Campsite Sniper can monitor future changes for dates you select.
When is the next open date at Santa Rosa Island?
As of the Nov 2, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Mon, Nov 2 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Nov 6. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
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