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On Santa Barbara Island, primitive camping beckons with seven sites available at $15 per night per site, requiring reservations for a secure island retreat. Devoid of water sources, the campground is located a quarter-mile from the landing and necessitates a steep climb to reach its elevated perch. Situated much further south than its northern counterparts, Santa Barbara Island stands as the smallest among the Channel Islands, encompassing just one square mile of unique landscapes and diverse ecosystems.
Despite its diminutive size, Santa Barbara Island plays a crucial role in supporting the recovery of native vegetation, a process facilitated by the National Park Service's dedicated restoration efforts. The removal of nonnative predators has further contributed to the island's ecological balance, fostering the reestablishment of nesting land birds and seabirds. Renowned as one of the most vital seabird nesting sites within the Channel Islands, Santa Barbara Island hosts 11 nesting species, including western gulls, California brown pelicans, cormorants, storm-petrels, and the impressive Scripps's murrelets. The island's rocky shores serve as crucial resting and breeding areas for a variety of marine mammals, including California sea lions, harbor seals, and northern elephant seals, offering a rich tapestry of biodiversity within its compact confines.