The best camping in Channel Islands National Park, CA

Comprising five islands off the coast of Southern California, Channel Islands National Park offers a fantastic mix of quiet beaches and scenic hiking opportunities, with a handful of campgrounds. It's a fantastic spot for wildlife lovers thanks to a variety of species that can't be found elsewhere on earth, including a wide variety of marine creatures and shorebirds, plus two subspecies of island foxes. Getting here requires taking a boat from the mainland and service is limited, but if you’re able to plan ahead and get a reservation, you’ll be rewarded with a quiet getaway and unbeatable landscapes.

• Best for families: The biggest campground in the park, Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground offers easy access to swimming areas, plus pit toilets and picnic tables.
• Best for coastal views: Snug Anacapa Island Campground offers seven sites with picnic tables, as well as fantastic views out over the Pacific Ocean.
• Best for avoiding the masses: Getting to Santa Barbara Island Campground requires a mile-long uphill hike, so you won’t get many crowds.

1. Camping is available year-round, with one campground per island, plus a handful of backcountry sites (on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa islands).
2. Campsites can be booked on the National Park Service website. Reservations open at 7am PT, six months in advance. If visiting in summer, you’ll want to wake up early to secure your spot.
3. Boat transportation tends to fill up faster than the island’s campgrounds do. You'll therefore need to secure transportation before booking your campsite. Book early to avoid disappointment.

The park is at its busiest during the summer months, though the weather is good enough for swimming through early fall. The autumn months are great for wildlife fans, with an increase in migratory birds and elephant seals in the area. Gray whales begin to make their way past the islands in late December and continue to do so until April, while wildflower season starts later in winter and continues until early spring.

• Getting to the park requires taking an Island Packers boat from Ventura or Oxnard.
• Fires are never permitted at the park, no matter what time of year you visit. Gas stoves are allowed.
• Campers are required to store food and trash in special storage boxes or in coolers. If you’re staying at Scorpion Campground on Santa Cruz Island, it’s important to be extra careful with your food and trash, as local ravens and foxes have figured out how to open zippers.
• Ticks are an issue on the islands, so be sure to carry adequate insect protection.