Channel Islands National Park

Show on map (805) 658-5730 chis_information@nps.gov

1901 Spinnaker Drive
Ventura, CA 93001

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.

Directions

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.

Reviews

Channel Islands National Park provides a unique and memorable camping experience characterized by beautiful and rugged island scenery, abundant wildlife including island foxes and marine life, and well-maintained facilities such as potable water and clean restrooms. The park offers excellent hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling opportunities amid a peaceful and remote environment. Visitors commonly highlight the helpful and knowledgeable rangers contributing to a positive experience. However, challenges include windy and exposed campsites with limited shade, intrusion by wildlife especially foxes, occasional sanitation and maintenance concerns, and logistical complexities related to transportation and water availability.

Stunning natural beauty with diverse wildlife

Well-maintained campsites and facilities

Friendly and helpful park rangers

Varied outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling

Peaceful, remote camping environment

Windy conditions and limited shade at campsites

Wildlife intrusion requiring secure food storage

Occasional restroom odors and maintenance issues

Logistical challenges including ferry schedules and carrying water

Some campsites close together with limited privacy

1,285 reviews

5 stars

1,087

4 stars

134

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1 stars

Marla g

Campground:Santa Cruz Island Scorpion

Loop:Lower Loop

Site:

Reviewed 8 days ago

The water was lovely. I was glad I had water shoes to cross the rocky areas. It got cold as soon as the sun sets so bring warm cloths.

Whitman H

Campground:Santa Cruz Island Scorpion

Loop:Lower Loop

Site:

Reviewed 8 days ago

Staff is great, very friendly - we're lucky in that we had an incredibly smooth journey there and back, everything was well laid out and thoroughly explained. I know, you are not supposed to litter but I was still struck by the complete absence of litter anywhere, really fantastic. Really enjoyed every moment, would strongly recommend - Whitman Heining

Leonie S

Campground:Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping

Loop:Northwest Quadrant Dispersed Camping

Site:

Reviewed 12 days ago

Amazing experience- some challenges and also beautiful

Pamela S

Campground:Santa Rosa Island

Loop:Sites 001-015

Site:

Reviewed 15 days ago

Having potable water available was fantastic. Site #1 was extremely windy, seemed more than the other sites, but we didn't care, but site #3 seems like the magic site? I wish wagons could be used, it would make trekking everything to the campsite easier. We hiked out in the rain, you might think about offering literature on hiking out in the rain. I think if we'd taken the trail closer to the airstrip vs. the main path it would have been better traction. In any case, the bathrooms at the campsite are excellent, once we were set up the camping and hiking were excellent--SRI is such a special island, so different from Santa Cruz. A bald eagle swooped through the camp our last night. Very special.

Leonie S

Campground:Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping

Loop:Northwest Quadrant Dispersed Camping

Site:

Reviewed 15 days ago

Amazing place to visit, water situation can be tough.

Leonie S

Campground:Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping

Loop:Northwest Quadrant Dispersed Camping

Site:

Reviewed 15 days ago

Amazing place to visit, water situation can be tough.