Channel Islands National Park is a United States National Park comprised of a series of islands that are located off the coast of Ventura County and Santa Barbara County in Southern California. Only five of the eight Channel Islands are part of the national park: Anacapa, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, and Santa Rosa

Get in

 • Island Packers, 1691 Spinnaker Dr. Suite 105 B, Ventura, California 93001, provides boat travel between Ventura and Channel Islands Harbors and all of the islands. Half-day to multi-day packages. Tel: (805) 642-1393. Write or call for prices, schedules, reservation and other information.
 • From Santa Barbara Harbor, Truth Aquatics, 301 West Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, California, 93101, offers boat transportation to all of the islands. One-day or multi-day trips available. Tel: (805) 962-1127. Write or call for prices, schedules, reservation and other information.
 • Air travel is offered by Channel Islands Aviation, 305 Durley Avenue, Camarillo, California 93010, from Camarillo Airport to Santa Rosa Island. One-day or multi-day round-trip excursions are available. Tel: (805) 987-1301. Write or call for prices, schedules, reservation and other information.

Fees/Permits

There are no entrance fees to visit the park. However, a fee is charged for camping on the islands. The fee includes both the National Park Service fee that supports the operation of the campgrounds and a reservation fee by the company that manages the reservation system for the National Parks.

Camping

Camping reservations for National Park Service campgrounds on San Miguel, Santa Rosa, East Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara Islands are available through Biospherics Inc. at (800) 365-2267. Campsites are generally located close to one another and if the campground is filled to capacity conditions may be crowded. No trash service is provided and all campers must pack out their own trash. Be prepared to carry your camping gear from the landing areas to the campgrounds.

 • Anacapa Island. 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.
 • Santa Barbara Island. The campground is 1/2 mile uphill from the dock landing. There are 8 campsites with a campground capacity of 30 people.
 • San Miguel Island. 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 Rosa Island. 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 Cruz Island. 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.

Backcountry
Camping on the beaches on Santa Rosa Island is available for experienced kayakers and boaters on a seasonal basis; a permit is necessary by calling (805) 658-5730.