This small slice of old California makes for a unique day trip. This park’s isolated location makes it one of the least visited National Parks. You’ll be one of the very few people to see these Pacific wonders.
It’s this isolation that has preserved these islands in their wild state. They’re what the southern California coast looked like 100 years ago. That means a ton of plants and animals, 145 of which are found nowhere else in the world.
You’ll need to catch a boat ride from Island Packers to get there (boats depart from Ventura and Oxnard Harbors). Private flights are also available. Once you’re on the islands, the only form of transport is a kayak or walking. There are no cafes, gift shops, or even a visitor’s center (that’s on the mainland). While hese islands are one of the top scuba diving and snorkeling spots
This small slice of old California makes for a unique day trip. This park’s isolated location makes it one of the least visited National Parks. You’ll be one of the very few people to see these Pacific wonders.
It’s this isolation that has preserved these islands in their wild state. They’re what the southern California coast looked like 100 years ago. That means a ton of plants and animals, 145 of which are found nowhere else in the world.
You’ll need to catch a boat ride from Island Packers to get there (boats depart from Ventura and Oxnard Harbors). Private flights are also available. Once you’re on the islands, the only form of transport is a kayak or walking. There are no cafes, gift shops, or even a visitor’s center (that’s on the mainland). While hese islands are one of the top scuba diving and snorkeling spots on Earth, this place is all about natural beauty and disconnecting from the modern world.
The beauty you’ll find in abundance. The five islands—San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, and Anacapa—are called the “Galapagos of North America” for a reason.
Anacapa and Santa Barbara are the two smallest islands and they’re completely treeless, but no trees mean big views. Speaking of views, the underwater clarity here is off the charts!
Santa Cruz Island is the biggest in the chain. Known for its endless sea caves and divine kayaking, it’s also a great place to whale watch. Spot Grey Whales, Orcas, and Blue Whales from the island’s many trails.
Santa Rosa Island is 84 square miles of isolation. Be sure to check out the pygmy mammoth fossils in Lobo Canyon. San Miguel is the westernmost island and gets crazy weather. You need a permit to go there and hikes are ranger-guided to protect the delicate ecosystem. Visitors that do make the trek will be rewarded with unparalleled wildlife viewing. There are sometimes up to 30,000 seals and sea lions on the resting on the beaches.
Anacapa Island is the island closest to the coast. The Anacapa Campground is on the eastern side of the island, up a good number of stairs a half mile away from the visitor’s center. There are seven campsites with picnic tables and pit toilets, but be sure to bring your own water and pack all of your trash in and out.
This plateau campground is one mile uphill from Cuyler Harbor, so you’ll have to bring all your gear up. The view from above makes it worth the trek. There are 9 sites with picnic tables, pit toilets and a windbreak (it can be pretty windy here-- dress warmly). Bring your own water and pack all your trash in and out!
What with all of the beach a Read more...
Santa Cruz Island is a little more than 10% National Park and the rest is under the Nature Conservancy. This campground is on the northeastern shore of the island, a flat and easy walk from the landing site. There are 40 sites that are pretty close to each other if the campground is totally full, but hey, the more the merrier-- living on an island Read more...
Santa Rosa is the second largest island in all of California and features a high mountain range amazing wildlife, and the incredible Painted Cave, a large western sea cave. You can do some backcountry camping here as well as stay at the Water Canyon campground. Lucky for you, there is running water and bathrooms! It can be pretty windy here, but t Read more...
This island is located some distance between the other national park Channel Islands and the non-park islands, a tiny one-square mile island. The campground is on the central leeward coast, where you have to bring your gear one mile uphill from Landing Cove. Bring your own water, sunscreen and layers, pack all your trash in and out, and be prepare Read more...
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Channel Islands National Park
Five mini Jurassic Parks just off the coast from Los Angeles (without all the dinosaur drama).
This small slice of old California makes for a unique day trip. This park’s isolated location makes it one of the least visited National Parks. You’ll be one of the very few people to see these Pacific wonders.
It’s this isolation that has preserved these islands in their wild state. They’re what the southern California coast looked like 100 years ago. That means a ton of plants and animals, 145 of which are found nowhere else in the world.
You’ll need to catch a boat ride from Island Packers to get there (boats depart from Ventura and Oxnard Harbors). Private flights are also available. Once you’re on the islands, the only form of transport is a kayak or walking. There are no cafes, gift shops, or even a visitor’s center (that’s on the mainland). While hese islands are one of the top scuba diving and snorkeling spots
This small slice of old California makes for a unique day trip. This park’s isolated location makes it one of the least visited National Parks. You’ll be one of the very few people to see these Pacific wonders.
It’s this isolation that has preserved these islands in their wild state. They’re what the southern California coast looked like 100 years ago. That means a ton of plants and animals, 145 of which are found nowhere else in the world.
You’ll need to catch a boat ride from Island Packers to get there (boats depart from Ventura and Oxnard Harbors). Private flights are also available. Once you’re on the islands, the only form of transport is a kayak or walking. There are no cafes, gift shops, or even a visitor’s center (that’s on the mainland). While hese islands are one of the top scuba diving and snorkeling spots on Earth, this place is all about natural beauty and disconnecting from the modern world.
The beauty you’ll find in abundance. The five islands—San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, and Anacapa—are called the “Galapagos of North America” for a reason.
Anacapa and Santa Barbara are the two smallest islands and they’re completely treeless, but no trees mean big views. Speaking of views, the underwater clarity here is off the charts!
Santa Cruz Island is the biggest in the chain. Known for its endless sea caves and divine kayaking, it’s also a great place to whale watch. Spot Grey Whales, Orcas, and Blue Whales from the island’s many trails.
Santa Rosa Island is 84 square miles of isolation. Be sure to check out the pygmy mammoth fossils in Lobo Canyon. San Miguel is the westernmost island and gets crazy weather. You need a permit to go there and hikes are ranger-guided to protect the delicate ecosystem. Visitors that do make the trek will be rewarded with unparalleled wildlife viewing. There are sometimes up to 30,000 seals and sea lions on the resting on the beaches.
Activities in the park
5 campgrounds in Channel Islands National Park
Anacapa Island is the island closest to the coast. The Anacapa Campground is on the eastern side of the island, up a good number of stairs a half mile away from the visitor’s center. There are seven campsites with picnic tables and pit toilets, but be sure to bring your own water and pack all of your trash in and out.
This plateau campground is one mile uphill from Cuyler Harbor, so you’ll have to bring all your gear up. The view from above makes it worth the trek. There are 9 sites with picnic tables, pit toilets and a windbreak (it can be pretty windy here-- dress warmly). Bring your own water and pack all your trash in and out! What with all of the beach a Read more...
Santa Cruz Island is a little more than 10% National Park and the rest is under the Nature Conservancy. This campground is on the northeastern shore of the island, a flat and easy walk from the landing site. There are 40 sites that are pretty close to each other if the campground is totally full, but hey, the more the merrier-- living on an island Read more...
Santa Rosa is the second largest island in all of California and features a high mountain range amazing wildlife, and the incredible Painted Cave, a large western sea cave. You can do some backcountry camping here as well as stay at the Water Canyon campground. Lucky for you, there is running water and bathrooms! It can be pretty windy here, but t Read more...
This island is located some distance between the other national park Channel Islands and the non-park islands, a tiny one-square mile island. The campground is on the central leeward coast, where you have to bring your gear one mile uphill from Landing Cove. Bring your own water, sunscreen and layers, pack all your trash in and out, and be prepare Read more...
Why can't I see these campgrounds when I search with dates?
Public campgrounds (book externally) —