"Aerial view" by U.S. National Park Service , public domain
![]() | Santa Rosa IslandHiking Map and Guide |
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covered parks
Channel Islands
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Channel Islands National Park
Hiking Santa Rosa Island
Several trails and roads traverse Santa Rosa Island, providing visitors with spectacular hiking opportunities. These trails and roads range from the
relatively flat route to Water Canyon Beach to the rugged, mountainous path to Black Mountain. Hikers need to assume individual responsibility
for planning their trips and hiking safely. To increase your odds of a safe hike, decrease your disturbance to wildlife, and lessen damage to resources, visitors should be in good physical condition and must follow the regulations and guidelines in the “Limiting Your Impact” section of the park
newspaper and those listed below:
• The ranch buildings in Bechers Bay are closed except for escorted
tours. However, visitors may use the picnic area on the lawn of the
main ranch house. Restrooms are located nearby.
• The back beaches and sand dunes between and including Skunk
Point and just north of East Point are closed to hiking from March 1st
to September 15th to protect the nesting area for the snowy plover, a
federally listed, threatened shorebird. Please remain on the wet sand
(below mean high tide) or the road throughout this area.
• Please avoid disturbing sensitive pinniped (seals and sea lions) and
seabird areas that are found throughout the island.
• It is recommended that visitors use the trail and road system when
exploring Santa Rosa Island. Please avoid animal trails, which are
narrow, uneven, unstable, and dangerous.
• Avoid cliff edges since they are crumbly and unstable. Stay well back.
Children should be supervised at all times by an adult.
Destination
Distance
(from pier)
(miles, round-trip)
1
Campground
2
Water Canyon Beach
3
Water Canyon
4
Cherry Canyon
5
Black Mountain
6
Torrey Pines
• Hikers should never hike alone—use the buddy system. This allows
someone to go for help if you encounter trouble.
• Carry plenty of water and drink it. One quart for short walks, more
for longer hikes.
• Be aware of poison oak, “jumping” cholla cactus, ticks, and scorpions. Poison oak can be identified by its clusters of three shiny leaflets.
Some ticks carry disease; check your clothing and exposed skin after
hiking.
• In order to help prevent wildfires, do not smoke on trails or in brush
areas. Smoking is allowed only on beaches.
• When departing from the islands, visitors are responsible for meeting
the boat and airline concessionaire on time. Be aware of departure
time by asking the ranger or concessionaire employees. Concessionaire trips are not scheduled every day.
Difficulty
Description
Easy
A flat walk along the coastal terrace to the Water Canyon campground.
Easy
If the wind is not too strong, explore the wonderful 2-mile-long white sand beach. The
pier is not accessible from the beach unless there is a minus tide.
3
Moderate
to
strenuous
Although the round trip to the mouth of Water Canyon is only 3 miles, the canyon continues for another 6 miles exiting near Soledad Peak. Follow the stream bed and animal
paths through a beautiful canyon with year-round water and native vegetation on the
steep walls. This is an off-trail hike for experienced hikers.
3.5
Moderate
A loop hike with riparian vegetation and views of Bechers Bay. Other trails branch off
of the Cherry Canyon trail allowing for visits to Black Mountain, the campground, and
Water Canyon beach.
8
Strenuous
A long, steep climb that rewards visitors with oak woodlands and great views (weather
permitting) of Santa Rosa, San Miguel, Santa Cruz, and the mainland. Visitors may make
this a loop hike by including the Cherry Canyon trail and Telephone and Soledad roads.
5
Moderate
View one of the rarest pines in the world, the Torrey pine. The easier, moderate route
allows visitors to view the pines along the flat Coastal Road. The strenuous route follows
the loop trail to the top of the grove, providing spectacular views. For the best route
take the loop trail up the western edge of the grove, along the top, and down the
steep, eastern side of the grove. For an easier, more gradual descent, follow the road
down to Southeast Anchorage.
3
(.5 from airstrip)
3
(to beach entrance)
(via the loop trail)
(to base of pines)
7.5
Strenuous
(via the loop trail)
7
East Point
8
Lobo Canyon
16
Strenuous
(due to
length)
9
(to canyon mouth)
Strenuous
A beautiful hike along the coast or along the Coastal Road with opportunities to explore
the Torrey pines and beaches. The back beaches and sand dunes between and including
Skunk Point and just north of East Point are closed from March 1st to September 15th.
Please remain on the wet sand (below mean high tide) or the road throughout this area.
A spectacular canyon with wind- and water-sculpted sandstone cliffs, a year-round
stream, riparian vegetation, and a spectacular coast at its mouth. Well worth the effort.
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA
Ca r r in g to n Po in t
M a r in e Re s e r v e
N
No Commercial or Recreational Fishing Allowed
Carrington
Point
Brockway
Point
Aggi Wreck
Back Beaches and
Sand Dunes Closed
Mar. 1–Sept. 15
Lo
Beaches
Closed
Year-Round
b
oC
anyon
Pier
ith
H
o
C
dad R oa d
an
as
ta
l
S ole
C
Sandy
Point
t er
WaAirstrip
Sm
i gh w a y
oad
ny o n
oint
Skunk P
Southeast
Anchorage
Wre ck
Ro
ne
p ho
le
d
Bechers
Bay
Torrey
Pines
Ca
Te
S k u nk P o i nt
M ar i ne R es e r v e
C
a
st
a
l
W
at
er
1298 ft
oa
Bea
ch
o
Black
Mountain
Goldenhorn
Wreck
R
a
R
d
yon
R
oa
d
Area of enlargement
Bee
Rock
Soledad
Peak
No Commercial or Recreational
Fishing Allowed
San A
7
ug
usti
yo
ne Can
1574 ft
East
Point
n
Cluster Point
Ford Point
Chickasaw
Wreck
S out h Po in t
Marine R e s e r v e
tional Fishing Allowed
Please avoid disturbing sensitive pinniped and seabird areas
that are found throughout the island.
Johnsons Lee
South
Point
Refer to the National Marine Sanctuary's Protecting Your Channel Islands brochure for more information on State Reserves.
Roads
Trails
4 km
0
No Commercial or
Recreational Fishing Allowed
4 mi
0
C a r r i n g t o n
P o i n t
M a r i n e
R e s e r v e
Carrington
Point
N
Lo
b
oC
ch
d
Torrey
Pines
T orrey Pin
Southeast
Anchorage
e Loop Trail
C
0
1 km
st
al
7
To East Point
W
0
1 mi.
oa
R
er
6
at
W r e ck
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3
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n
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n
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ea
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8
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