San Miguel Island Campground

There are 9 primitive tent sites (one accommodates a group), each outfitted with a five-foot windbreak, picnic table, and food storage box. A vault/pit toilet serves the campground. There’s no potable water, no shade, no store, and no services—plan to be entirely self-reliant.

Expect dramatic bluffs, rolling marine terraces, and beaches alive with pinnipeds (seals and sea lions). Birdlife is prolific, with numerous nesting seabird species. On land, keep an eye out for the island fox and deer mice. Spring blooms of native plants—including giant coreopsis—hint at the island’s ongoing ecological recovery. The broader island holds curiosities like a caliche “forest” and Pleistocene history, adding depth to your hikes.

Wind is the defining feature here—bring a sturdy, low-profile tent with extra stakes and guy lines. Even in summer, evenings are cold and damp, and fog is common. Weather can delay transport, so pack extra food and essentials.

Carry all drinking and cooking water (plan generously), a robust tent with ample anchoring, warm layers and rain gear, a camp stove (no campfires), and extra food in case weather extends your stay. Pack out all trash. Download official park resources for maps and self-guided info before you depart; there’s no connectivity on island.