Santa Rosa Island Fire Recovery

A wildfire burned nearly forty percent of Santa Rosa Island between May 15 and June 4, 2026. A Burned Area Emergency Response Plan will guide recovery efforts.

The island is closed to all overnight use through at least August 13, 2026. All Water Canyon Campground reservations have been cancelled through this date and visitors have been notified by email. Backcountry camping within the southeastern quadrant of Santa Rosa Island will remain closed for the remainder of the 2026 recreation season.

Day use on the island resumes on July 1, 2026, though burned areas will remain closed. Visitors to Santa Rosa Island may use the map and information below to check the status of individual trails and roads.

Shorelines adjacent to the burned area are closed. This includes areas near popular overnight spots such as Johnsons Lee, Ford Point, and Southeast Anchorage.

 

 

Planning a Day Trip

If you do not have access to a private boat, you may purchase tickets from Island Packers for travel to Santa Rosa Island. Passengers on Island Packers typically have 3–4 hours on-island to explore. Park staff will open a pop-up visitor center on each boat ride to help you make the best use of limited time.

Popular activities include:

• A guided or unguided walk on part of Cherry Canyon Trail;
• A guided or unguided walk on the Coastal Trail;
• Relaxing on the beach near Water Canyon or the pier; and
• Learning about ranching history in the historic schoolhouse.

Trails to Carrington Point, Lobo Canyon, and Black Mountain are too long for most day visitors to complete, but are open.

Torrey Pines Trail is closed, as are Water Canyon (upstream from the beach) and a segment of Cherry Canyon Trail near Water Canyon Campground.

Water and flush toilets are available in the ranch area. No other facilities are available on the island.

 

Help the Island Heal

Santa Rosa Island needs time and space to heal. You can help!

• Stay out of closed areas. Park staff are working to clean up hazards such as burned asbestos, fallen barbed wire fences, and unstable trails.
• Give wildlife extra space. Many plants and animals lost their homes during the fire. Human activity only adds to their stress and makes it harder for them to survive.
• Clean your gear well before going ashore. The fire cleared native species out of the way and left an inviting layer of ash, making it easy for invasive species to take over.