Fly-in Camping Trips to a Channel Island

Remote Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park, about 45 miles off the coast of Ventura, will become more accessible to visitors with the inauguration of new guided, fly-in camping trips.

Currently, people who want to fly to the island can book basic drop-off/pickup service for overnight camping or a guided day trip, but not both. The charter service has been offered for about five years by Camarillo-based Channel Islands Aviation, said vice president Tom Driscoll. Two other companies offer access by boat, about a three-hour trip compared with a half-hour by air.

But now Horizons West Adventures, telephone (562) 799-3880, a 6-year-old Long Beach company, is marketing three-day fly-in camping trips three times a month from March to November. The trips, limited to 10 people, cost $400 per person plus a “provisioning fee” for food, about $35. Camping equipment and guide services are included, said company owner Len Daniello.

The island, second largest in the park, was a ranch until two years ago. The park service is working to restore the natural environment. Santa Rosa is home to numerous Chumash archeological sites, plus elk, deer, Santa Cruz Island jays and foxes (named after a neighboring island), snowy plovers and some unique plant species.

Guests take off from Camarillo aboard a Britten-Norman “Islander” twin-engine plane operated by Channel Islands Aviation and land on a strip near the three-mile-long beach on Bechers Bay on the island’s northeast corner. Hiking, surf fishing and birding are among the activities. Channel Islands Aviation, tel. (805) 987-1301, continues to offer its day trips ($106 per person) and round-trip charters ($162 per person). Santa Rosa is the only island in the park accessible to the public by air.