Coastal camping · California
Channel Islands (Santa Cruz)
Boat-in camping on California’s “Galápagos”
SettingCoastal
StateCalifornia
Best seasonSpring & fall
ReserveReservation + boat required (Recreation.gov + Island Packers)
A boat ride off Ventura lands you on Santa Cruz Island, the largest of the Channel Islands — sea caves, island foxes found nowhere else, and a campground above a cove with no cars, no crowds, and a sky full of stars. The wildest place within reach of Los Angeles.
Don’t missSea caves & cliffs at Scorpion
RVs & rigsNo RVs — boat access only; carry-in
What’s here
- Sea-cave kayaking
- Island foxes
- Potato Harbor overlook
- Whale watching
Reservation windows, fees, and seasonal/road closures change — confirm with the managing agency (Recreation.gov, the state park system, or the forest/BLM office) before you go, and check fire restrictions and pack-it-out rules, especially for free dispersed sites.
Build a trip around a camp like this.
Roamward turns spots like this into a real road trip on your phone — the scenic drive, the stops, and the detours, planned around the vibe you’re after. Get early access: