About Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources. Isolation over thousands of years has created unique animals, plants, and archeological resources found nowhere else on Earth and helped preserve a place where visitors can experience coastal southern California as it once was.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
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…
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: California. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Operating Hours
The park is open 24 hours a day. Services and facilities have separate hours. Please see descriptions of those facilities elsewhere.
Activities
Current Alerts
Santa Rosa Island is open to limited day use. Burned areas remain closed and overnight use is prohibited. Water Canyon Campground is currently closed, but will reopen October 14, as will backcountry beach camping in northwest and southwest quadrants. Click the more link for additional information.
Santa Barbara Island is open to public access, but landings are restricted to the rocky ledge adjacent to the dock. The dock is closed and is not expected to be repaired in the near future due to the severe winter storm damage.
Getting There
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.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Topics & Themes
Visitor Centers
Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center
The Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at Channel Islands National Park features a bookstore, a display of marine aquatic life, and exhibits featuring the unique…
Outdoors Santa Barbara Visitor Center
The small Outdoors Santa Barbara Visitor Center not only has one of the best views of Santa Barbara, but also offers visitors information about Channel…
Visitor Center Anacapa Island
Once the historic Coast Guard general services building (workshop and garage), this Mission Revival style building now serves as a small visitor center that features…
Santa Barbara Island Visitor Center
A small visitor center is located on the island. Features include displays on the natural and cultural resources of the island.
Scorpion Ranch Visitor Center on Santa Cruz Island
The small visitor center resides in the historic Scorpion Ranch house which was constructed in 1886-1887.
Santa Rosa Island Visitor Contact Station
The historic schoolhouse is now home to this small visitor contact station with exhibits on the ranching history of Santa Rosa Island.
San Miguel Island Ranger and Visitor Contact Station
The visitor contact and ranger station is only open when staff is present.
Campgrounds
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…
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,…
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…
Water Canyon 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…
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,…
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.…
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…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
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