Steep, rugged ocean cliffs extending in an island chain.

Inspiration Point by Tim Hauf

Yellow flowers in foreground extending out along a rocky coastline to a natural arch.

Arch Point by Tim Hauf

Pine tree high on a ridge overlooking a bay with blue water and white sand beach.

Torrey Pines by Tim Hauf

Brown seals and sea lions on white sand beach with blue water and partly cloudy sky.

Point Bennet by Tim Hauf

Rust and grey colored fox in green grass.

Island Fox by Tim Hauf

Channel Islands National Park

Alerts

Weather forecast

Sun, Aug 12
Min: 18.2°C
Max: 18.54°C
Clear sky
Mon, Aug 13
Min: 15.69°C
Max: 18.09°C
Clear sky
Tue, Aug 14
Min: 15.62°C
Max: 16.81°C
Clear sky
Wed, Aug 15
Min: 15.18°C
Max: 16.98°C
Clear sky
Thu, Aug 16
Min: 15.55°C
Max: 18.14°C
Clear sky
Fri, Aug 17
Min: 16.26°C
Max: 17.17°C
Few clouds

Air Quality

050100150200300Air Quality Index: 137
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150)
Some individuals, particularly those with respiratory or heart conditions, may experience health issues due to the elevated pollution levels.

To-Do Activities

  • Astronomy
  • Stargazing
  • Boating
  • Motorized Boating
  • Sailing
  • Boat Tour
  • Camping
  • Backcountry Camping
  • Canoe or Kayak Camping
  • Group Camping
  • Compass and GPS
  • Orienteering
  • Fishing
  • Saltwater Fishing
  • Food
  • Picnicking
  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Walking
  • Boat Tour
  • Hiking
  • Backcountry Hiking
  • Front-Country Hiking
  • Off-Trail Permitted Hiking
  • Paddling
  • Canoe or Kayak Camping
  • Kayaking
  • Stand Up Paddleboarding
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • SCUBA Diving
  • Snorkeling
  • Surfing
  • Swimming
  • Saltwater Swimming
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Park Film
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

Things to explore

Sorry, Not have any trail or things you can explore

Campgrounds and More

Within a field of yellow flowers lie tents that overlook historic buildings and the ocean.
Anacapa Island Campground

Primitive camping is available (seven sites; $15 per night per site; reservations required). Picnic table, food storage box, and pit toilet are provided. No water is available. Distance from landing to campground is one-half mile and includes a 157-stair climb. WARNING: Western gulls nest on Anacapa Island From April through mid-August. During this time, visitors will encounter seabird rookery conditions: guano, strong odor, constant noise, bird carcasses, and birds protecting their territory.

Camping tents in grassland overlooking a foggy ocean.
San Miguel Island Campground

Primitive camping is available (nine sites; $15 per night per site; reservations required). Wind shelter, picnic table, food storage box, and pit toilet are provided. No water is available. Distance from landing to campground is one mile up a steep canyon (400 ft. climb).

Small tent perched on bluff overlooking the ocean.
Santa Barbara Island Campground

Primitive camping is available (seven sites; $15 per night per site; reservations required). Picnic table, food storage box, and pit toilet are provided. No water is available. Distance from landing to campground is one-quarter mile and includes a steep climb.

Campground picnic table on green grass overlooking ocean, coastline, and blue sky with white clouds
Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry Campground

The Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry Campground is currently the only backcountry campground on Santa Cruz Island. The hike to the campground is 3.5 miles from Prisoners Harbor and 12 miles from Scorpion Anchorage. It has four primitive campsites (four persons per site) and users must camp within these designated sites.Reservations are required ($15 per night-per site). A picnic table, food storage box, and pit-style toilet are provided (campers must bring their own toilet paper).

Blue camping tent in green grass with picnic table and tall trees
Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground

Primitive camping is available (25 individual sites at $15 per night-per site and 6 group sites at $40 per night-per site; reservations required). Picnic table, food storage box, potable water, and pit toilet are provided. Distance from landing to campground is one-half mile.

Island coastline with tan sand beach leading out to rolling hills in the distance with green water.
Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping

Backcountry camping on Santa Rosa Island is currently limited to certain beaches between August 15th and December 31st. Hiking is along the beach and rugged, unsigned (and sometimes unmaintained) dirt roads. The closest beach for camping is 8 miles from the boat/plane drop-off location. Reservations are required ($10 per night-per site). No services are provided.This is primitive, dispersed, backcountry camping. Visitors must backpack to all locations and carry all of their own gear, food and water.

Campgrounnd wind shelters on dry, grassy terrace looking down canyon to blue ocean.
Santa Rosa Island Campground

Primitive camping is available (15 sites; $15 per night per site; reservations required). Wind shelter, picnic table, food storage box, toilet, and potable water are provided. Distance from landing to campground is 1.5 miles from the pier and .25 miles from the airstrip.

Standard Park Information

Standard Opening Information: The park is open 24 hours a day. Services and facilities have separate hours. Please see descriptions of those facilities elsewhere.

Park Directions Information: 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.
Directions URL

Our Operating Hours

wednesday: All Day
monday: All Day
thursday: All Day
sunday: All Day
tuesday: All Day
friday: All Day
saturday: All Day

Weather Specific Information

In general, the islands have a Mediterranean climate year-round. Temperatures are relatively stable, with highs averaging in the mid-60s (°F) and lows in the low-50s. However, there are seasonal differences that visitors should take into consideration when visiting the park. In addition, visitors also should be aware that ocean and weather conditions vary considerably from day-to-day and island-to-island. For more information visit: http://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/weather.htm

Collect your National Park stamps!

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