Channel Islands National Park
Location:
California
Size:
249,561 acres
Peak Season:
Late Summer & Fall
Closest Airport:
Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) – Ferry required
Topography:
Islands, Coastal
Recreational Opportunities:
Hiking – Trails on each island offer stunning coastal and ocean views.
Kayaking – Paddle through sea caves and along rugged shorelines.
Snorkeling & Diving – Pristine waters with kelp forests and marine life.
Wildlife Viewing – See endemic species like the island fox and seabirds.
Camping – Remote backcountry camping available on several islands.
Points Of Interest:
Anacapa Island: Known for its sea caves and lighthouse, offering great wildlife viewing and hiking.
Santa Cruz Island: The largest island in the park, offering opportunities for hiking, kayaking, and camping.
Sea Caves: Natural caves along the coast that can be explored by boat or kayak, home to unique marine life.
Painted Cave: One of the largest and most spectacular sea caves in the world, located on Santa Cruz Island.
Top 5 Hikes:
Cavern Point Loop (Santa Cruz Island)
Smugglers Cove Trail (Santa Cruz Island)
Scorpion Canyon Loop (Santa Cruz Island)
Torrey Pines Loop (Santa Rosa Island)
Potato Harbor Trail (Santa Cruz Island)
Camping:
Scorpion Canyon Campground – The most accessible campground on Santa Cruz Island, offering pit toilets, picnic tables, and ocean views.
Water Canyon Campground – Located on Santa Rosa Island, providing a remote but scenic camping experience with vault toilets.
East Anacapa Island Campground – A small, rugged site with stunning cliffside views, accessible via a steep climb from the landing cove.
San Miguel Island Campground – A primitive, windy campsite requiring special permits due to sensitive wildlife habitats.
Santa Barbara Island Campground – The smallest and most remote campground, offering five primitive sites with minimal facilities.
Backcountry Camping:
Del Norte Campground (Santa Cruz Island) – The park's only year-round backcountry site, located near Prisoners Harbor, accessible via a strenuous hike, and equipped with minimal amenities.nps.gov
Santa Rosa Island – Seasonal backcountry beach camping is permitted from mid-August through December along the island's 55-mile coastline, offering a primitive coastal experience.nps.gov