Hiking and Camping in the Channel Islands National Park.  Santa Rosa Island - a 25 minute flight from Camarillo. Visit the Channel Islands with Channel Islands Aviation.

Channel Islands Aviation, official Concessionaire to California's Channel Islands National Park, offers Half Day Excursions for hiking, surf fishing  and multi day camping to Santa Rosa Island in the Channel Islands National Park. Trips are available year round, with regular departures from Camarillo Airport. Special departures from Santa Barbara Airport available by special arrangement. 

Following the 25 minute scenic flight over Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands, hikers enjoy exploring a portion of 53,000-acre Santa Rosa Island. Hike the trails or when available, tour the island by 4 wheel drive vehicle with a National Park Service Volunteer Docent.  For those who come to the island to camp, the campground is a short walk from the airstrip..  Remember than when camping;  a camping permit is required!.

Santa Rosa Island lies 45 miles off the Ventura coastline, and offers an exciting diversity of sights and activities. You can stroll on pristine, deserted beaches with harbor seals watching you from the ocean, hike through inland canyons rich with wildflowers, sandstone carvings, and greenery, discover fascinating sea life in undisturbed tide pools, and view island fox, and rare island birds. Chumash archeological sites and fossil beds provide history lovers with the rare opportunity to experience how early inhabitants lived on the island. Park Rangers point out the buildings of the century-old cattle ranch that is no longer operating, and tell you the intriguing stories of human habitation of the island that dates back 10,000 years.

Half Day Excursions (Daytrip): Enjoy a three hour tour, often by 4 wheel drive vehicle with a Channel Islands National Park Service volunteer docent.  Alternatively, hike the trails and explore. Hikers may bring their own packed lunch and drinks. Bring clothing that can be layered. A warm jacket and head protection is recommended since the weather can be unpredictable. Good walking shoes or hiking boots are suggested. Other items that will be handy are: day packs, binoculars, bird & plant guide books, cameras, and water bottles. Departures 8:00 A.M. & 12:30 P.M. returns 12:00 P.M. & 4:30 P.M.

The Surf Fishing trips are excursions that are designed to give you a maximum of fishing time at one of the best locations in all the Channel Islands; Bechers Bay on Santa Rosa Island. Along with the great fishing, you'll be treated to a scenic flight to the island! Please bring a maximum 15 pounds per person including all gear and lunch. A valid California fishing license is required. Be sure to bring light weight wind breaker or jacket because it can be windy.  Departs at 8:00 A.M. returns 3:00 P.M.

  Daytrip and Surf Fishing:
       Adults:      $159.95 + tax
      Children:   $134.95 + tax (2 to 12 yrs)
 
  Camping:  
      Adults & Children: $299.95 + tax

*Camping departure times may vary. 60 lb. gear (including water) per person maximum. The campground on Santa Rosa Island is located at Water Canyon off Becher's Bay on the northeast side of the island. Camping permits are required. The campground on Santa Rosa comprises of 15 camp sites with a camp ground capacity of 50.   The camp site is located on a relatively flat shelf of Water Canyon. Picnic tables and a flushing toilets are provided. Public potable water is available.  Campers may bring additional drinking water if preferred. The campground is only a 5 minute walk from the airstrip.  Water Canyon provides numerous hiking opportunities to such areas as beaches, oak groves, caves, overlooks, fossil beds as well as Chumash archeological sites. Fishing is allowed on the beaches. Visitors bring their own gear and must obtain a valid California fishing license.

As in all National Parks, feeding of the animals is prohibited as well as collecting. This includes shells, rocks, flowers, fossils and artifacts, etc. Take only pictures, leave only footprints. 

For more information on free camping permits for Santa Rosa Island, please call the 1-877-444-6777  or visit www.recreation.gov

**Photos courtesy of Ron Williams & Janie Oberman

Schedule your trip today!

Click here to view the flight schedule

For further information, please call Channel Islands Aviation Flight Desk (805) 987-1301 ext 0, or email flightdesk@flycia.com

For more information on the Channel Islands National Park and Santa Rosa Island, please  click here.

General FAQ

Q: How long does it take to walk to the beach?
A: From the camp site, or airplane, 10 minutes or less

Q: Does CIA offer a Senior citizen or AAA discount?
A: No

Q: Can I fly myself there and land with my own airplane?
A: No. The airfield is strictly private. Though you are allowed to fly over the Channel Islands National park above 2000 feet AGL

Q: How far in advance should I book?
A: As far in advance as possible. At least a week is preferred

Q: What is the cancellation policy?
A: Full refund with 72 hours or more notice.

Q: Where is the airfield on the island?
A: The airport is located in Bechers bay, between the historic Vail/Vickers ranch and Water Canyon.

Q: What happens if the weather is bad the day of our flight?
A: The flight will either be delayed or rescheduled. If the flight leaves Camarillo late, it will remain on the island to ensure that you to get the full 3 hour tour.   

Q: What kind of airplane do we fly on?
A: The aircraft is a twin engine Britten-Norman Islander that is capable of holding 9 passengers and pilot. The aircraft is specifically designed to land on short dirt runways.

Q: What Islands Does CIA fly to?
A: CIA fly's regularly to Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and San Miguel Islands, yet only offers public visitation to Santa Rosa Island at this time.

Q: Is there transportation to any other island from Santa Rosa?
A: Not with CIA. Some Island Packers boats leave Santa Rosa and go to Santa Cruz or San Miguel. Check with Island Packers for more information.

Q: Are there bathrooms and running water?
A: Yes there are public restrooms with flushing toilets and running water.

Q: What is the weather like on Santa Rosa?
A: The weather varies. It can be sunny and hot, foggy and cold, or very windy. Spring time is the most windy time of year. Fog lasts from spring through summer. Between rain storms in the winter are some of the best days on Santa Rosa.

Q: Where is the Channel Islands National Park and Which islands are included?
A: The Channel Islands National Park consists of five of the eight Channel Islands that span 160 miles off the coast of southern California. Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara Islands.

Q: When was the Channel Islands National Park established?
A: Although Anacapa and Santa Barbara Islands were designated a national monument in 1938, it was not until March 5, 1980 that Congress established San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, Santa Barbara, and the submerged lands and waters within one nautical mile of each island as Channel Islands National Park.

Q: How often does CIA fly to the islands?
A: CIA flys to the Islands daily, but only offers public visitation trips on particular days.