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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




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 3½-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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RATE ESTIMATES
$ 1-11   = $
$12-20  = $$
$21-30  = $$$
$31-40  = $$$$
$41+up = $$$$$

Key to some abbreviations:
p, prim = primitive    t = tent
cfg = campfire grill
h = hookups     ft = feet
cold camp = no fire or flame
NF = National Forest
FR = Forest Road
SP = State Park
BLM = Bureau Land Mgt

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