Santa Rosa Island Pier Closed
Due to heavy corrosion from the marine environment and deteriotration from storms and overall use, the Santa Rosa Island pier will be replaced during 2009. Expected completion date is December 2009. During this time landings in Bechers Bay will be via shore boat onto a sandy beach.
For visitors traveling via concessioner boats, landings will still be at Bechers Bay, however, exact location of the beach landing is determined by daily sea conditions. Distance to campground may vary from 1/4 to 1 mile. Items that are going ashore should be packed in a way to protect them from water and sea spray. Dry bags and dry boxes designed for kayaking and other watersports are recommended for packing cameras and other sensitive equipment. For more information on packing for beach landings, please visit Island Packers.
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Access is restricted throughout Santa Rosa Island to ensure visitor safety during a permitted commercial hunting operation of non-native deer and elk and to protect wildlife nesting/hauling areas. Visitors to the island need to be aware of these closures prior to planning their trips.
Hunt Management Area Closure
The National Park Service has an agreement in place that permits a commercial deer and elk hunting operations through the year 2011. During the spring and from August through December, hunting takes place throughout most of Santa Rosa Island. Public access is not allowed in the hunt management zone to ensure the safety of visitors.
Hiking is limited to the "PUBLIC ACCESS AREA," which includes the campground, Water Canyon beach, Torrey Pine forest, East Point road from the campground to East Point, and all areas north of East Point road. The Cherry Canyon trail from the Soledad/Main Road trailhead to the campground trailhead is open to unescorted hiking from 8 am to 5pm. After 5pm this area is closed for hunting operations. Access is temporarily restricted throughout the rest of the island.
Wildlife Protection Area Closures
- Skunk Point to East Point Closure March 1 to September 15
The coastline from and including Skunk Point to just before East Point is closed to landing and hiking from March 1 to September 15 to protect the nesting area for the threatened snowy plover. The coastline around Sandy Point is closed year-round to protect seal rookeries.
- Backcountry Beach Camping Postponed Until August 15
Due to the continued presence of elephant seals on the beaches at Santa Rosa Island, the opening of beach camping has been postponed until August 15.
Over the last decade elephant seals and other marine mammal populations have dramatically increased causing the recolonizaton of historic breeding and haul-out sites by these marine mammal species. A significant portion of south facing beaches on Santa Rosa Island have been reclaimed for a large portion of the year.
The park staff is in the process of considering measures to modify the backcounty/beach camping opportunity to reduce potential conflicts with preservation of natural resources and this visitor use.
Providing these animals have for the most part cleared the beaches between South and East Point, beach camping will once again be allowed via permit.
