Anacapa -- Camping is allowed on East Anacapa year-round, but don't bring more than you're able to carry up the 154-stair, half-mile trail from the landing cove. The campground has seven sites and a capacity of 30 people. The campsites are primitive; there is no shade, and food and water are not available. Pit toilets are provided. No fires are allowed, but cooking is permitted on enclosed, backpack-type stoves. Bring earplugs and steer clear of the foghorn. There is a nightly $15-per-campsite charge, and a reservation is required (www.recreation.gov; tel. 877/444-6777). Campground reservations fill quickly, so be sure to call well in advance.
Santa Cruz -- Camping is allowed at the Scorpion Ranch Campground on the east end of Santa Cruz year-round. All gear must be carried about a half mile to the numerous sites. The campsites are primitive, but there is plenty of shade. Potable water is available; food is not. Pit toilets are provided. Cooking is permitted on enclosed backpack-type stoves, and open fires are allowed only on the beach from December to May. There are four backcountry campsites at Del Norte Campground. There is a nightly $15 per campsite charge. A reservation is required and can be obtained at the park visitor center or by calling tel. 877/444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov. Camping is not allowed on Nature Conservancy land (the western 76% of the island).
Santa Rosa -- Camping is allowed in Water Canyon on Santa Rosa's northeast end year-round. All gear must be carried 1 1/2 miles from the pier on Bechers Bay. The campground has water and toilets, and each of the 15 sites has its own picnic table and windbreak. There is a nightly $15 charge per campsite for the campground; the required reservations can be obtained by calling tel. 877/444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov.
Camping is permitted on a limited number of beaches that are at least a 10-mile hike from the landing site around the island from June to December. Although the winds will definitely test your tent, this is a good option for those who want to sleep in relative solitude near the water. A free permit (tel. 805/658-5711) is necessary.
San Miguel -- Camping is allowed on San Miguel year-round, though camping dates are subject to Island Packers' schedule. Located 1 mile south of Cuyler Harbor, between Cabrillo Monument and the old Lester Ranch complex, the campground has nine primitive sites and a capacity of 30 people. The hike to the campground includes a steep climb up Nidever Canyon -- keep this in mind before packing your accordion. There is a pit toilet and basic wind shelter at each site, but food and water are not available. No fires are allowed, but cooking is permitted on enclosed backpack-type stoves. Be sure to bring a strong tent, a sleeping bag, and waterproof clothes -- the wind is often fierce, and damp fog can set in for days.
There is a nightly $15 charge per site for camping, and a reservation is required. Reservations can be obtained at the park visitor center or by calling tel. 877/444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov. Campground reservations fill quickly, so be sure to call well in advance.
Santa Barbara -- Camping is allowed on Santa Barbara year-round. Note that all gear must be carried up the 131 steps to the campground, located approximately 1/4 mile inland. The 10 campsites are primitive; there are pit toilets, but food, water, and shade are not available. No fires are allowed, but cooking is permitted on enclosed backpack-type stoves. There is a nightly $15-per-site charge for camping, and a reservation is required. Permits can be obtained at the park visitor center or by calling tel. 877/444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov; campground reservations fill up quickly, so be sure to call in advance.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
