Channel Islands National Park
1901 Spinnaker Drive
Ventura CA 93001, 805-658-5730
Recreation Activities: Boating � Camping � Educational Programs �
Fishing � Hiking � Swimming � Wilderness Area � Wildlife Viewing
Camping Areas
Anacapa Island
Open All Year
Reservations
Online or by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Details
Anacapa has hiking trails, a visitor center, lighthouse exhibits, picnic area
and offers opportunities for SCUBA diving, snorkeling, bird watching, and
observing marine mammals. The campground is on East Anacapa Island, 1/2 mile
from the dock landing, up 154 stairs. There are 7 campsites with a campground
capacity of 30 people.
Mainland Camping
Open All Year
Details
Camping is available on the mainland at several local California State Parks.
Between Gaviota State Park and Point Mugu State Park there are seven State Park
areas that offer coastal camping. The closest to the Ventura Harbor is McGrath
State Beach. Other camping opportunities are avaliable through county parks in
the area. Local State Parks in Santa Barbara County- Carpenteria State Beach, El
Capitan State Beach Gaviota State Park, Refugio State Beach. Local State Parks
in Ventura County- Emma Woods State Beach, McGrath State Beach, Point Mugu State
Park. The link to more information is for State Park Reservations.
San Miguel Island
Open All Year
Reservations
Online or by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Details
San Miguel has miles of hiking trails, and beaches and offers Ranger-led hikes,
marine-mammal observation, beach exploration, and bird watching. The campground
is a 1 mile hike uphill from the beach landing and has windbreaks. There are 9
campsites with a total campground capacity of 30 people. Fewer than 200 people
per year ever get the experience of camping on San Miguel Island.
Santa Barbara Island
Open All Year
Reservations
Online or by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Details
Santa Barbara has 5 miles of hiking trails, a visitor center, picnic area, and
offers opportunities for hiking, bird watching, SCUBA diving, snorkeling,
fishing, and marine-mammal observation. The campground is 1/2 mile uphill from
the dock landing. There are 8 campsites with a campground capacity of 30 people.
Santa Cruz Island, Del Norte
Open All Year
Reservations
Online or by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Details
A new backcountry campsite has recently opened at Del Norte on the north side of
the island. The Del Norte campsite is nestled in a shaded oak grove and provides
scenic views of the pristine coastline along Santa Cruz Island. To reach this
backcountry site, visitors will follow the historic ranch road trail from
Prisoners landing through a series of canyons and ridges, to a vista about 1,500
above sea level. This moderate 3�-mile hike travels through island oak woodlands
and coastal sage scrub plant communities. A section of the trail meanders
through thick stands of introduced fennel; a species targeted for removal in
future restoration efforts planned by the park. An option for hikers is to
continue the next day hiking eastward 11 miles and spend the next night at
Scorpion campground. Transportation arrangements with the park concessionaires
allow for this unique cross island adventure with dropoff or pickups occurring
at both Scorpion and Prisoners. The Del Norte campsite has designated sites for
four groups; each equipped with a picnic table and nearby access to a pit-style
toilet. Water is not available and no fires are permitted.
Santa Cruz Island, Scorpion Valley
Open All Year
Reservations
Online or by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Details
76% of Santa Cruz Island is owned by the Nature Conservancy. The National Park
Service owns the eastern 24%, where visitors may observe wildlife, hike, camp
and explore the newest addition to the park. The campground is in Scorpion
Valley and has 40 sites and allows 4-6 people per site. The campsites are spread
out along the valley floor 1/2 to 1 mile up the flats from the beach landing.
Campers may choose between numerous shaded canyon sites. All gear must be
carried by campers to the campsites. The campsites are primitive and all
provisions must be brought by campers, including food, supplies and fueled
campstoves. Potable water is provided at two taps in the lower campground. Due
to extreme fire danger on the island the Superintendent has enacted a closure
for campfires on East Santa Cruz Island. Enclosed camp stoves are permitted. Pit
toilets are provided.
Santa Rosa Island
Open All Year
Reservations
Online or by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Details
Santa Rosa has hiking trails and offers beach exploration, surf fishing,
wildlife observation, ranger-led hikes, vehicle tours, and kayak beach- camping.
The campground in Water Canyon is 1 1/2 mile miles across the flats from the
pier landing, or 1/4 mile from the airstrip. There are 15 campsites with a 50
person campground capacity. The campground has windbreaks, running water (most
people bring drinking water) and an invigorating shower.
Santa Rosa Island Beach Camping
Open All Year
Phone
805-658-5711 for permits.
Details
Camping on the beaches on Santa Rosa Island is available for experienced
kayakers and boaters on a seasonal basis.
Lodging Options
see
Santa Barbara 30 miles north
Additional Information
Getting There
Plane
Channel Islands Aviation, located at the Camarillo airport, is the park's
concessionaire for air travel to Santa Rosa Island. Trips vary from one-day to
multi-day camping excursions. For prices, schedules, and reservations, call or
write: (805) 987-1301; Channel Islands Aviation, 305 Durley Avenue, Camarillo,
California 93010.
Car
Ventura is located 70 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa
Barbara. From the 101 Freeway: northbound, take the Victoria Ave., left onto
Victoria, then right onto Olivas Park Drive to Harbor Boulevard, where Olivas
Park Drive runs straight into Spinnaker Drive; southbound, take the Seaward exit
left onto Harbor Boulevard, than proceed on Harbor to Spinnaker Drive, and turn
right. The visitor center is located at the very end of Spinnaker Drive in the
Ventura Harbor. Free parking is avaliable at the beach parking lot.
Public Transportation
Island Packers is the park's concessionaire for boat travel departing from
Ventura and Channel Islands Harbors to all of the islands. A variety of trips,
from half-day to multi-day, are offered. For prices, schedules, and
reservations, call or write: (805) 642-1393; Island Packers, 1867 Spinnaker
Drive, Ventura, California 93001. http://www.islandpackers.com
Truth Aquatics is the park's concessionaire for boat travel departing from Santa
Barbara Harbor to all of the islands. A variety of trips, from one to multi-day,
are offered. For prices, schedules, and reservations, call or write:(805)
962-1127; Truth Aquatics, 301 West Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, California,
93101-3886 http://www.truthaquatics.com
Weather
Campers should be prepared for a variety of weather, especially on the
outer-islands. Thirty knot winds are not uncommon on Santa Rosa and San Miguel
Islands. Sturdy tents, stakes and line for securing tents to the ground, table
or windscreen are recommended. Fog can occur on the islands during any season
producing cool, damp conditions.
All of the campgrounds, except East Santa Cruz Island, are located away from
trees and shade. Over exposure to the wind and sun can be a serious problem.
Visitors are advised to bring supplies for an extra day in case transportation
is delayed due to weather conditions.
Island Rules
As in all national parks, natural and cultural resources are protected by
federal law. Collecting or tampering with resources, including vegetation,
shells, feathers, rocks, shipwrecks, and artifacts is prohibited. Please leave
all resources as you find them, what you found interesting will bring enjoyment
to others who follow in your footsteps. Preserving your National Park is your
responsibility. Once on the island any specific regulations are posted in site
bulletins.
Fishing is allowed in designated areas only, a valid state fishing licence is
required and all state regulations are enforced. The landing area on East
Anacapa and the Scorpion Anchorage area at East Santa Cruz are in State Marine
Reserves where fishing is prohibited.
Pets are not allowed on the islands.
Firearms and fireworks are prohibited.
Campfires are prohibited. The only exception is in the winter at established
fire rings on the beach at Scorpion on East Santa Cruz.
Pack out all your trash. There is no trash service on the islands.
For complete information on park rules see the Channel Islands National Park
Regulations Page
Hantavirus
A strain of Hantavirus has been found in deer mouse populations on San Miguel,
Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands. Hantavirus has not been found on Anacapa or
Santa Barbara Islands. Most scientists agree that the virus has likely been
present on the islands and mainland for possibly hundreds of years. No one has
ever been infected by Hantavirus on the islands.
The chance of getting the disease from a trip to the islands is almost
negligible. Still, this is a potentially fatal disease, and some basic
precautions should be taken: avoid contact with rodents, do not feed the
wildlife, keep food and drink in rodent-proof containers, and prevent entry of
mice into your tent. Infection by Hantavirus causes flu-like symptoms followed
by acute respiratory distress. If stricken contact your physician immediately.
Suggested Camping Gear
Campers must be prepared for the primitive campground facilities and weather
conditions. Supplies and equipment are not available on the islands. Gear must
be transported up ladders at most landing sites and carried some distance to the
campgrounds. Packing your gear in backpacks, duffel bags and containers with
handles makes transportation easier. The boat concessionaire requires that bags
weigh less than 40 pounds.
You may get wet during loading and off loading, so it is advised to waterproof
your gear. An extra pair of shoes packed in waterproof material is recommended.
A good rule to remember is to look out for number one. Mark your gear with your
name and island destination as some trips are to multiple islands. One island
experience you do not want to have is to be on one island with your food or gear
on another.
Campers should plan to layer clothing, as weather conditions tend to change from
cool and damp in the mornings to bright, warm, and windy during the afternoons.
Clothing that protects against the wind is advisable year-round. Hiking boots
are recommended for must island trails.
Needed Clothing or Gear- hat/visor/cap, sunglasses, windbreaker or light jacket,
shirts/pants that you can layer, hiking boots, normal clothing needs. food,
sturdy tent, camp stove with fuel and cooking gear, water- 1 gallon per person
per day & canteen, sunscreen, flashlight, sleeping bag/pad, matches.
Suggested Clothing or Gear- bathing suit, towel, gloves, poncho or rain gear,
sneakers or light foot ware, seasick pills, first aid kit, garbage bags,
toiletries, pocket knife, camera/film, binoculars. Most cell phone services
reach the islands but there are no facilities to recharge your batteries.
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