Channel Islands National Park

National Park Service, California.

Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources. Isolation over thousands of years has created unique animals, plants, and archeological resources found nowhere else on Earth and helped preserve a place where visitors can experience coastal southern California as it once was.

Camping and Day Use

  • Anacapa Island
  • San Miguel Island
  • Santa Barbara Island
  • Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry
  • Santa Cruz Scorpion
  • Santa Rosa Island
  • Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping

Nearby Activities

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Diving
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Paddling
  • Picnicking
  • Snorkeling
  • Swimming
  • Wildlife Viewing

Directions

While the mainland visitor center in Ventura is readily accessible by car or public transportation, the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats and planes or private boat. Advanced planning is highly recommended.

Additional Information

  • Channel Islands National Park Official Website
  • Channel Islands National Park Map

Photo Gallery

  • Island Fox by Tim HaufIsland Fox, Santa Cruz Island: Thousands of years of isolation in a unique island environment has resulted in the development of the endemic island fox, a dwarf form of the mainland gray fox.
  • Arch Point by Tim HaufArch Point, Santa Barbara Island: With winter rains, the coreopsis emerges from summer's dormancy with light green foliage and bright yellow daisy-like flowers
  • Small island with arch rock and lighthouse on top.Channel Islands National Park
  • Small island with arch rock and lighthouse on top.Channel Islands National Park
  • Point Bennet by Tim HaufPoint Bennet, San Miguel Island: One of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in the world occurs on San Miguel with over 100,000 pinnipeds gathering to breed, pup, and rest.
  • Torrey Pines by Tim HaufTorrey Pines, Santa Rosa Island: Torrey pines occur naturally in only two locations throughout the world--on the cool, fog drenched northeastern slopes of Bechers Bay and just north of San Diego.
  • Inspiration Point by Tim HaufInspiration Point, Anacapa Island: One of the most spectacular views in the park can be found from Inspiration Point. Looking to the west, one may see Middle and West Anacapa, with Santa Cruz Island in the distance.

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