San Miguel Island Camping

Camping at San Miguel island takes some planning. You need to make reservations on the Island Packers boat before you can book the campsite on the National Park Service page. We made reservations more than 4 weeks in advance. The limited number of campsites on the island get filled very quickly so advance reservations are absolutely necessary.

The campsite is about a 0.75 mile hike from the Cuyler Harbor beach landing (Site #5 has the best view and is more protected from the wind but is closest to the pit toilet). It is a steep but extremely pleasant hike which feels even steeper when you are carrying 60 lbs of camping equipment and water (3 gallons/day should work for 2 people). Due to the windy and foggy conditions in San Miguel, it is recommended you have a low tent with a waterproof fly and tie lines with which you can secure the tent down. Typical wind speeds in summer are 20-30 mph coming from the WNW.

  

Looking back at the landing site and the trailhead from the trail                 Along the spectacular trail up Nidever Canyon

 

 

The nitrogen fixing legumes which helped convert sandy                                 Almost at the campsite now

San Miguel to a verdant island

 

 

The wind sheltered campsite with our tent.                                    Vistas of Prince Island from our campsite. On a clear

                                                                                                    day, you can see Santa Rosa.


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