How to Visit Channel Islands National Park
What is Channel Islands National Park?
Channel Islands National Park consists of 5 islands (and their surrounding ocean environments) off the coast of Southern California. It’s known for its abundant wildlife and untouched nature - there are over 2,000 plant and animal species on the islands and 150 of them are found nowhere else in the world! One of these endemic animals is the island fox, which you have a really high chance of seeing if you spend any time hiking or camping. As far as people go, today you will only find National Park Service personnel and park visitors but historically, the Channel Islands were home to the native Chumash and Tongva peoples. You can learn more about the history of the land and the way of life of its people at the national park visitor center.
Below is a breakdown of the 5 islands that make up Channel Islands National Park. I tried to include information that would be helpful to anyone planning a first time trip who is trying to decide with island to visit. You can find diverse wildlife and spectacular views on all of the islands, but each one is unique in its own way and some will be better than others depending on your fitness level, outdoor experience, and flexibility with scheduling.
Anacapa Island
Anacapa, the island closest to the mainland, is actually 3 islets. Two of them are set aside for the island wildlife so only one islet, East Anacapa, is open to visitors. Here you will find a small visitor center and about 2 miles of hiking trails, among which are hikes to Inspiration Point, one of the best viewpoints in the whole park, and to a 1932 lighthouse, the last permanent lighthouse on the west coast! An important thing to note about Anacapa Island is that it is a cliff island - the only water access is at the Landing Cove via a dock. From here you have to climb 155+ steps to reach the trails at the top of the cliffs.
Anacapa Island is also apparently home to the largest breeding colony of western gulls in the world! So if birds are not your thing, keep this in mind lol
Camping
Anacapa Island has one campground, with 7 sites available, that is a half mile hike (including the 150+ steps) from the Landing Cove. A picnic table, food storage box, and pit toilet is provided, but there is no water so you will have to bring all the water and food you will need for your whole trip with you.
*Anacapa is currently closed until September 2022*
Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz Island is the largest island, typically has the best weather, and has the most recreational activities available in the park, so it’s recommended for first timers. If you want to be in or on the water, this is the island for you! There are two landing sites on the island, Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor. Prisoners Harbor seems to be better suited for experienced and well-equipped hikers so most visitors land at Scorpion Anchorage. The beach near the landing pier is easily accessible so you can do anything from swimming, snorkeling, diving, or kayaking. Just remember to bring your own gear or arrange your guided tours and rentals ahead of time. Kayaking here is especially fun because of all the sea caves you can explore from the water! Painted Cave, one of the largest sea caves in the world, is also part of this island, but you have to access it by boat - you can book a trip through the same ferry company that takes you to the island.
This is the island that I visited and you can read about my full experience here in one of the sections below - including my travel info and everything I did while on the island!
Camping
There are two campgrounds on Santa Cruz Island: Scorpion Ranch Campground and Del Norte Campground. The Scorpion Ranch campground is the largest of all the Channel Islands National Park campgrounds with 31 total campsites - 6 group sites and 25 individual sites. It’s an easy half mile hike from the pier to get to the lower loop of the campground (and just a little further to the upper loop) and you are provided with picnic tables, food storage boxes, toilets, and water.
The Del Norte campground is for those interested in more of a backcountry experience as it does not have potable water and you have to hike 3+ miles to get there from the pier at Prisoners Harbor.
Santa Rosa Island
Santa Rosa Island is the second largest island and is known for its beautiful beaches and the rare Torrey Pines that are found along the coast. There are lots of hiking trails here ranging from the relatively flat route to Water Canyon Beach (said to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the park) to more strenuous 25+ backcountry hiking. While there are some easy hikes, the majority are rated moderate to strenuous so I think this island would be more ideal if you are an experienced hiker. Especially since the weather here tends to be a lot windier and chillier and the transportation schedule is limited during the months of March through Oct.
Camping
There is one campground on Santa Rosa Island, the Water Canyon Campground. It is a flat 1.5 mile walk from the landing pier and there are 15 campsites available. In addition to drinking water, the sites here are provided with wind breaks, picnic tables, restrooms, and food storage boxes. Due to the boat schedule, minimum stay is generally three days.
You can also do backcountry camping on some of the beaches, the closest of which is a 9 mile hike. You will need to check the National Park website to see which beaches are open and make reservations ahead of time.
San Miguel Island
San Miguel Island is the most remote, northernmost island, and there are a lot of extra factors to consider when planning a visit here. Firstly, there are only one or two days out of the whole year that you can take a day trip. All other trips are for campers only and the transportation schedule is limited. In addition to transportation and camping reservations, you need a permit (including liability waiver) to visit the island and there are strict rules once on the island about where you can go. This is understandable due to the sensitive ecosystem and the fact that the island was a former bombing range and there are possible unexploded weapons.
The few areas on the island that you can explore on your own include the 2 miles of beach around the landing harbor and the trail that leads to the ranger station. Beyond the ranger station you must be accompanied by a ranger and there’s no guarantee that someone will be available for hikes to every location.
One of the best trails on the island is the 16-mile roundtrip hike to Point Bennett, home to one of the largest populations of seals and sea lions found anywhere in the world. If you’re interested in water sports and swimming, know that it is not recommended at San Miguel as the colder waters and abundant marine life make the waters off the coast a popular home for great white sharks.
Camping
San Miguel island has one campground with 9 sites available. A wind shelter, picnic tables, food storage boxes, and a pit toilet is provided, but there is no water on the island so you have to bring in everything you need. The campground is a 1-mile steep uphill walk from the ferry landing area.
Santa Barbara Island
Santa Barbara Island is the southern most and tiniest island, known for its abundant wildlife and nesting seabirds. There are about 5 miles of hiking trails and a campground (no water) here, but due to pier damage, there is currently no access and it is not expected to be repaired anytime in the near future.
How to Get to Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National park is only accessible by boat so you will have to book transportation through Island Packers, the official boat concessionaire for Channel Islands National Park.
Island Packers depart from two different harbors, Oxnard and Ventura. Ventura is the location of the Island Packers home office and the main Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center.
The ferry boats have a limited capacity for people and gear so advance reservations are required. Depending on the time of year and island you plan on visiting, tickets may sell out quickly.
Santa Cruz Island and Anacapa Island are considered the “local islands” so trips are available year round. The boat ride is about an hour long.
Trips to the “outer islands” Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara are available March - November on a limited schedule. Travel time to these islands range from 3 to 4 hours.
Departures from the harbors are typically between 8 am and 12 pm and return trips from the islands are between 3 pm and 4:30 pm.
Since travel availability can vary, always check the calendar on the Island Packer website when planning a trip.
Ferry trips range from $63 per person to $168 per person depending on which island you visit and if you camp or not. Senior and child tickets will be slightly cheaper than adult tickets.
FAQ: Can you visit Channel Islands with your own boat?
Yes, but you will need to make sure you know all the rules and regulations involved. Some of the islands have restrictions on where you can anchor and land and permits may be required. Read more info here.
FAQ: Can you visit multiple islands in one trip?
Yes, but it requires extra planning as you have to book all of your transportation in advance. Multi-port day trips are available to book here. There are also island hopper shuttles available for campers only, but the schedule is limited. You will need to book your shuttles first, then book your arrival and departure ferries around the shuttle schedule. Shuttles cannot be booked the same day as travel to or from the mainland.
Planning a Day Trip to Channel Islands National Park
If you’re not into camping, a day trip is a great way to see Channel Islands National Park! There is no entrance fee to the park so the only cost would be your transportation there. I recommend booking the earliest ferry from the harbor and the latest return trip back from the island to maximize the amount of time you have to explore. You’ll want to pack a day bag that has everything you need for your time there - water, snacks, sun protection, etc. Also bring a change of clothes and/or a towel if you plan on getting in the water. Service is limited on the islands so definitely plan your hikes ahead of time - download a map and know how long the hike(s) should take so you have plenty of time to complete it and make it back to catch your ferry home.
Keep in mind if you do a day trip, because you have limited time to explore, you may not be able to do some of the longer hikes. You also won’t get to see sunrise or sunrise on the island (unless you happen to go at a time of year when the sun sets super early).
Anacapa Island and Santa Cruz Island are the best options for day trips since they are the closest to the mainland and you can see a lot of what each island has to offer in a short amount of time! Day trips to the other islands are available, but the longer boat trips mean less time to explore once on the island.
Camping at Channel Islands National Park
If you want to spend more time in the park and really experience all that the place has to offer, I highly recommend a camping trip!
You will be able to do longer hikes and more activities on the island and get to enjoy how peaceful it gets once the last ferry of day trippers leave. Definitely take advantage of the perfect opportunity to watch the sunset at one of the incredible viewpoints over the water!
Camping info and tips:
Each island has at least one campground - see the island breakdown above for the campsite names, number of sites, and what’s provided at each (not all campgrounds have water).
No matter which island or campground you choose, the reservation fee is $15 a night.
You can see campsite availability and make reservations on recreation.gov - just search for the campground name.
You must book your ferry through Island Packers FIRST before booking your campsite.
You will need to pack everything you need for your entire trip, including food, sleeping bags, a tent, and water (if your island destination doesn’t have a water source).
You will have to carry all of your gear to your campsite, so pack as light as possible.
Fires are not allowed on the island, but you can bring a small propane camp stove.
Food storage boxes are provided at each campsite and it is highly encouraged to keep all food and supplies that you are not using stored away as the island foxes and birds are notorious thieves.
Bring a smaller day bag to bring on hikes with you and leave your larger bag(s) in the storage boxes at your campsite.
There are no trash cans or dumpsters available on the island so you will need to pack out everything you pack in. I recommend bringing small plastic bags to keep your trash separate from other items in your bag. In the restrooms there are small bins for used hygiene items, but you shouldn’t place any other trash in there.
Campsite checkout is around 11 am, but you will most likely have a later ferry return time, so there are storage boxes in several places near the landing pier to keep your big bags until it’s time to leave.
Ferry tips for campers:
There are a few restrictions on what you can pack (you will get a full list when you make your reservations), but the main thing to know is that there is a bag weight limit for the ferry. You can have up to 60 lbs of gear, with no single bag weighing more than 45 lbs. This wasn’t an issue for us at all! My friend and I camped for one night and our bags were only about 20 lbs each.
Larger bags will be stored away on the ferry, but you can have a smaller carry on with you during the trip with your personal items.
Fuel, water, and any other liquids cannot be in your bigger stored bags. An Island Packer employee will collect any fuel containers before the trip and store them together separately, then you will collect it again upon arrival. Water and other liquids (toiletries, etc.) will need to go with you in your carry on bag.
What to Do in Channel Islands National Park
Hiking
I personally think that hiking is the number one highlight of Channel Islands National Park, because it’s the best way to really see what each island has to offer. Along the trails, you will get to see a variety of different plants and animals and enjoy the incredible views - especially along the coast!
Wildlife Watching
Wildlife watching is something you can do pretty much anywhere, anytime on the island! As you’re hiking or sitting at your campsite, you’ll probably see a number of island foxes roaming around, lizards, and tons of birds. If you do any water activities, you’ll have the opportunity to see marine life that lives along the coast. Even on the ferry ride over, you have a high chance of seeing sea lions and dolphins, and possibly even whales or sharks!
Camping
While not for everyone, I think camping is a fun activity in itself and I feel like it really allows you to fully appreciate the island! The campsites in Channel Islands National Park are spacious and pretty well-equipped, most of them having picnic tables, food storage boxes, and restrooms provided.
Kayaking
Another major highlight for me during my trip was kayaking! The most popular sea kayaking area is at Santa Cruz Island near Scorpion Beach. From the water, you will be get a unique perspective of the island cliffs, explore sea caves, glide through kelp forests, and spot marine life. We saw the cutest harbor seals in one of the sea caves and tons of nesting birds high up on the cliffs!
You can book a guided kayak tour on Santa Cruz Island through Santa Barbara Adventure Company. There are a variety of tours available, but the one we did was the Discovery Sea Cave Tour ($124 per person). Kayaks, paddles, wetsuits, splash jackets, personal flotation vests, and helmets were all provided. Plus, we had a really knowledgable guide who made the experience even more fun!
I think that this would be the best option for most people, but if you have your own kayak or have a higher experience level, you can find more info on other kayaking opportunities through this link.
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
Channel Islands National Park is apparently one of the world's most unique places to dive and snorkel due to its abundant marine life, kelp forests, and sea caves. We didn’t do these activities during our trip, but the company that we booked our kayak tour through also offers guided snorkel tours. Diving is a bit more involved so you will have to refer to local dive shops and operations for more information on diving sites and boat trips.
Other activities
Other things you can do during your trip is swim, check out the visitor center to learn about the island’s history, go fishing (look into the rules and restrictions first), or meet up with a guide for an interpretive program or guided hikes.
My Channel Islands National Park Itinerary
I’m using the term “itinerary” very loosely here because we didn’t really have set times for anything we did on the island aside from the kayak tour. I’m mostly including this section to share my experience and give you an idea of what to expect!
Travel details
I visited Channel Islands National Park with my friend, Bry, who is also a photographer, so we had the flexibility to do our trip during the week - which I highly recommend if you can, because like most places, weekends tend to be busier and book up quicker. We booked a 9:00 am ferry on a Tuesday during the last week of May. Our departure was from the Ventura Harbor and we chose to visit Santa Cruz Island! When booking the ferry on the Island Packers website, the destination is Scorpion Anchorage.
Ventura Harbor + ferry ride
After arriving to the harbor about an hour early (as required by the Island Packers), we checked in at the office, got the parking permit for my car, checked in our gear, and got in line to board the boat. If you have a preference on where you want to sit on the boat, I’d definitely plan to arrive on the earlier side rather than closer to the departure time. We got pretty good seats on the top level of the boat with a view off the side, but ended up standing toward the front for most of the trip so that we could watch for dolphins and other marine life. It was a good view up there (especially as we approached the island) but we learned that sitting in the back was the best for seeing dolphins - a large group of them swam behind the boat for chunk of time!
Arrival at Santa Cruz Island
Upon arrival, everyone unloaded onto the pier and waited for a quick orientation from a park ranger who explained campground rules, where to find restrooms, trail info, and what to do if we needed help with anything. If you are only visiting for a day trip, I believe you still have to meet up with a ranger upon arrival but the orientation is lot shorter and of course, you won’t have gear to unload. If you’re camping, you will need to know your campsite number to check in before you hike in and set up camp.
Campsite info
Our campsite was in the lower loop of Scorpion Ranch campground so it was only a short half mile walk away from the pier. The sites are pretty spacious (online it says you can have up to 6 people per site) and have lots of trees that provide great coverage from the wind and sun. We stayed in campsite number 19 and really loved it because it felt so private - there were bushes between our site and the sites on either side of us. Also, one of the campground water spigots was right inside our site and the bathroom was just a few yards away so once we were at camp for the night, we didn’t have to walk far for anything we needed.
Day 1 activities: hiking + camp setup + lots of camp food
Once we located our campsite, we made lunch on our camp stove, then stored our big backpacks in the storage box (basically a bear box that you’d see in other national parks, but there aren’t actually bears on the island lol), and headed out to our first hike of the day.
Smuggler’s Cove hike is an 8 mile out and back trail that leads to a secluded beach with shaded picnic tables and a restroom. Along the trail, you will get views of the island’s grassy hills, canyons, open fields, and in the distance, Anacapa Island and the Montañon Ridge. There is no shade along trail so you will want to bring sun protection and plenty of water.
After getting back from that, we put up our tent, changed into Tevas to give our feet a break from our hiking boots, had a snack, and went off to hike to a viewpoint for sunset.
Cavern Point loop is a coastal trail to viewpoint above a cave. You can’t actually see the cave from the top but the view of the coast is amazing! This trail is a moderate 2 miles, and you can start it from the back of the campground (near site #22) or from Scorpion Anchorage, a short walk from the landing pier. Starting at Scorpion Anchorage, the trail is much steeper so we started at the campground and actually went back out the same way to return directly to our campsite instead of doing the full loop.
Back at camp, we had another dehydrated meal for dinner, got ready for bed, and climbed into our sleeping bags for the night.
Day 2 activities: kayak tour + hiking + visitor center
Our kayaking tour was the next morning at 9:30 am and since we wouldn’t be done before our campsite checkout time, we packed up the tent and our bags after breakfast, and stored them away in another storage box for the day.
The kayak rentals are located a short walk away from the campground in a couple of small shed-like buildings. We met our guides there and were provided with all the gear we needed for the kayak trip, including wetsuits, splash jackets, life vests, helmets, and paddles. Basically the only thing you need to come with is an outfit to wear that you don’t mind getting wet and water shoes. You don’t have to wear the wetsuits, but since it was pretty chilly that morning, we were really happy to have them! We wore them over our swimsuits. It’s also recommended to have a hat to wear under your helmet for sun protection, a water bottle, and a protective case for your phone if you plan on bringing it to take photos.
After getting geared up, we walked to the beach to get our kayaks, a quick lesson in paddling, and our guide helped us launch safely out into the water. During the tour, we paddled around the coast of the island, glided through the massive kelp forests, and explored some sea caves. We got pretty lucky this day and were able to go in quite a few caves! Sometimes if the tide is high or the waves are too intense it may not be safe to do so. Our guide also shared lots of info about the island history and wildlife as we kayaked so I feel like we learned a lot! This was definitely a highlight of the whole trip.
Once we finished up our kayak tour and changed into dry clothes, we had another camp meal, and we on one last hike.
Potato harbor trail is a moderate 5 miles along the coast to a viewpoint overlooking a potato shaped cove (hence the name). We didn’t do the full hike because we were exhausted from all of our activities but we really loved to part of it that we did make it through! There’s no beach access here, but I’d recommend this hike over smugglers for the coastal views and since it’s shorter, it would be much better for a day trip as well.
After this hike, we stopped by the small visitor center on the island. There’s no shopping here, but there are little stations with info about the island’s history and wildlife for those interested in learning more.
Island departure
Our ferry home was scheduled for 4:00 pm but we got to the pier early to get in line to board and relax for a bit. We got a seat on the top level of the boat, but in the back this time, and was rewarded with a great view of the dolphins who swam along the boat beside us!
Elopement and Couple Photography in Channel Islands National Park
Although I traveled to Channel Islands National Park on a fun trip with a friend, I have to include some info in here about taking photos in the park because elopement and couple photography is what I do for a living!
If you’re interested in in a low-key but adventurous elopement day then this would be an amazing place for you! Or you could even just do a fun, adventure couple shoot here!
To do a photoshoot or get married here, you will need a special use permit and in addition to your ferry transportation, you will most likely want to camp for at least one night in order to have photos captured at either sunset or sunrise on the island.
Here’s a sample “timeline” to give you some inspiration for what an elopement day could look like here! I excluded specific times because those will vary depending on the day of the week and time of year and your preferences for how long you want to relax and how long you want to hike.
Hair and Makeup in Ventura
Arrive at Ventura Harbor for check-in an hour before departure
Departure from Ventura Harbor
Arrival at Santa Cruz Island
Set up your campsite, have lunch, and relax for a bit
Get dressed in your wedding outfits + do any needed hair / makeup touch ups
Start hike to ceremony spot + take photos along the way
Share vows + exchange rings
Make your way to another viewpoint to take sunset photos
Head back to your campsite for drinks and dessert, then cozy up in your tent for the evening
Tips for eloping at Channel Islands National Park
Normally, I recommend the earliest ferry time departure to maximize time on the island, but in this situation, I recommend booking a later ferry time so that you can get hair and makeup done in Ventura before you leave — unless you don’t mind a REALLY early wakeup time. Obviously this is up to your preferences!
I highly recommend professional hair and makeup for any type of photos you’re getting done, but if having an artist do it before you leave isn’t the best option for you, I suggest booking a private lesson ahead of time so that you can do your own makeup once on the island! Another option if you’re staying multiple days on the island is to have a makeup artist travel to the island and do your makeup at the campsite, but of course, this means finding the right person willing to do this.
Dress comfy (and warm) for the ferry and change into your nicer outfits when you get to your campsite.
Come prepared to hike! While there are some easy to reach spots, the best views require a bit of hiking.
Have some fun food and desserts prepared ahead of time to bring with you! Even though you’re planning a more adventurous experience you can still add fun elements to celebrate!
If you’re not eloping, but want to do a fun couple session on the island, plan to do a sunset or sunrise hike to a viewpoint and even maybe some photos at your campsite with your tent, hammocks, or making a meal!
Channel Islands National Park Elopement and Couple Photographer
Whether you’re interested in getting married in Channel Islands National Park or just taking some fun photos to celebrate your relationship, I would love to be the person to document your experience! Reach out through the link below to get more info about working with me! Also feel free to browse around my website to see more examples of my travel adventures and the couples I’ve photographed along the way :)
I ended up not taking very many photos on my camera so here are some iPhone snaps that I took during the trip to give you a better look at some of the hikes we did and our campsite!
