Channel Islands National Park - Santa Rosa Island Photo Gallery (U.S. National Park Service)

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Channel Islands National Park

water canyon beach with torrey pines on the ridge above

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	Channel Islands National Park Santa Rosa Island Photo Gallery

Most of these images are legally protected by U.S. & International copyright laws and may NOT be downloaded or used for reproduction in any manner without the explicit authorization of the respective copyright holders.

If an image is not copyrighted, you will be given the option of downloading the image. These non-copyrighted images are royalty-free and their use is not limited. However, please credit the photograper and "National Park Service" where appropriate.

Santa Rosa Island Photo Gallery

Gallery Description:

From May to November, off the coast of Santa Rosa Island and in the western channel, visitors may encounter the endangered humpback whales.

Humpback Whale

Photo by Bill Faulkner, National Park Service

[Download 1403 kb]

Located on the far west end of the island, Sandy Point is only three miles away from San Miguel Island, seen here in the distance.

Sandy Point

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

Castilleja mollis, an indian paintbrush species, is one of over 80 plants that are endemic, or unique, to the Channel Islands, and one of six plants that are found only on Santa Rosa Island.

Indian Paintbrush

Photo by Sarah Chaney, National Park Service

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Strong northwesterly winds constantly shape and sift the fine-grained, white sand dunes near China Camp.

China Camp Beach

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

The freighter Chickasaw, with its cargo of children's toys, ran aground on the south side of the island in a heavy storm in 1962. Since the time of this photo, the Chickasaw has further deteriorated leaving very little wreckage visible to visitors.

Chickasaw Shipwreck

Photo by Dianne Brooks, National Park Service

An Early Warning Station at Johnson's Lee was staffed from 1951 to 1963 by up to 300 Air Force personnel. Today the buildings have been buried and the area revegetated.

Johnsons Lee

Photo by National Park Service

[Download 1667 kb]

Island oaks are the rarest of all California tree oaks, found only on the Channel Islands and on Guadalupe Island southwest of San Diego.

Island Oak

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

Without a land bridge ever connecting the Channel Islands to the mainland, only a few amphibians successfully have reached, and survived on, the islands. Pacific tree frogs are found only on Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz and Santa Catalina Islands.

Pacific Tree Frog

Photo by National Park Service

[Download 1350 kb]

The world’s most complete, intact pygmy mammoth skeleton was found and excavated on Santa Rosa in 1994. It was 5.5 feet tall and approximately 12,240 years old.

Pymy Mammoth

Photo by Bill faulkner, National Park Service

[Download 1390 kb]

Non-native grasslands, seen here near East Point, were introduced for grazing and today comprise almost 85% of the island's vegetation.

East Point

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

Limited to a small area near East Point, munchkin dudleya, a Santa Rosa Island endemic, flowers in early summer.

Munchkin Dudleya

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

A unique coastal marsh on Santa Rosa's eastern tip is among the most extensive brackish habitats found on any of the Channel Islands.

Coastal Marsh

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

The isolated white sands of Skunk Point lie only six miles to the west of Santa Cruz Island (seen here in the background).

Skunk Point

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

Nesting throughout the sandy beaches on Santa Rosa, threatened snowy plovers scratch a simple depression in the sand to lay perfectly camouflaged eggs.

Snowy Plovers

Photo by Brad Sillasen

The cool, fog drenched slopes above Water Canyon beach provide perfect habitat for the Torrey pines.

Water Canyon Beach and Torrey Pines

Photo by Derek Lohuis, National Park Service

[Download 1067 kb]

Torrey pines occur naturally in only two locations throughout the world--on the cool, fog drenched northeastern slopes of Bechers Bay and just north of San Diego. Although there are no sheltered coves on the island, Becher's Bay does provide some relief from the wind and swell for small boats to anchor.

Torrey Pines and Bechers Bay

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

The primitive campground at Water Canyon in Becher's Bay offers magnificent canyon and coastal views.

Campground

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

Beachcombing, birdwatching, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, windsurfing, and kayaking are all popular activities at Water Canyon Beach.

Water Canyon Beach

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

The two-story main ranch house, located in Becher's Bay, was built during the 1870's and today is on the national register of historic places.

Ranch House

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

Santa Rosa Island was a working ranch from the mid 1800s to the late 1990s. In 1986, the island came under the ownership of the National Park Service. Although the former owners run a private hunting operation a few months of the year for introduced deer and elk under a special use permit, visitation is welcome throughout the year

Ranching

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

Prior to the removal of cattle from the island in the late 1990s, the Vaquero II, a shallow-drafted, floating cattle pen, would tie up to the pier in Becher's Bay to brings cattle onto the island each fall and take them off each spring and summer. Today, the National Park Service and visitors use this pier to access the island.

Pier

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

Rangers often lead nature hikes in Lobo Canyon, a beautiful vegetated area with a year-round stream surrounded by majestic wind-and water-sculpted sandstone cliffs.

Lobo Canyon

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

At the mouth of Lobo Canyon and throughout the island, diverse marine ecosystems support red and purple urchins, bat stars, and corynactus anemones.

Marine Life

Photo by Brandon Cole

Numerous archeological sites, such as this midden, or refuse pile, indicate that the Chumash depended heavily on the island’s abundant marine resources for survival.

Archeological Site

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

bechers bay from torrey pine grove, santa rosa island timhaufphotography.com

Virtual Tour
View 360° photos from Santa Rosa Island.
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Santa Rosa Island Slideshow

Santa Rosa Island Slideshow
View what the beautiful island of Santa Rosa has to offer visitors.
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			Did You Know? The Anacapa Island lighthouse, turned on in 1932, was the last permanent lighthouse built on the west coast. more...

Last Updated: September 02, 2011 at 17:13 MST