Channel Islands National Park Campgrounds

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

 

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.