INTERNET INFORMATION CENTER
Camping is available on all five islands in National Park Service managed campgrounds. No camping is allowed on The Nature Conservancy's western 76% of Santa Cruz Island. This page provides a general overview of the camping procedures and accommodations on the islands. Please refer to specific island web pages for information on the unique features of each island. Addresses and phone numbers are listed at the bottom of this page.
Transportation
Because concession boats often fill to capacity with day visitors much faster than campground limits are met, transportation is the first requirement campers must secure for an overnight trip to Channel Islands National Park.
Public transportation to the park islands is available year-round by three park concessionaires.
Island Packers (805) 642-1393 e-mail; for boat travel departing from Ventura and Channel Islands Harbors to all of the islands.
Truth Aquatics (805) 962-1127, info@truthaquatics.com ; for boat travel departing from Santa Barbara Harbor to all of the islands.
Channel Islands Aviation (805) 987-1301, cia@flycia.com ; for air travel to Santa Rosa Island.
Private boaters or kayakers who camp on the islands must have the required camping permit and should be aware that there are no moorings available and few protected anchorages. Contact the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center for landing information. For camping reservations call 1 (800) 365-CAMP (2267).
Camping Reservations
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-CAMP (2267).
Camping on the beaches of Santa Rosa Island is available
for experienced kayakers and boaters on a seasonal basis; a free permit
is necessary, and can be obtained by calling (805) 658-5711.
Camping reservations are required for all of the island campgrounds. There are no entrance fees to visit the park, however there is a fee for camping in the National Park Service-operated campgrounds which includes a reservation fee for the company that handles the reservation system. Reservations can be made no more than three months in advance.
Information required to make your reservations includes; camping dates, transportation information and number of campers.
Campground Facilities
Camping conditions on the islands are primitive and users must camp in designated campsites. All campgrounds are equipped with pit toilets and picnic tables. Except at Santa Rosa and East Santa Cruz Islands water is not available and must be brought with you. Due to extreme fire danger the islands are closed to campfires. During the winter campfires are allowed in the established fire rings on the beach at Scorpion Bay on East Santa Cruz Island. Enclosed camp stoves are permitted on all islands year-round.
San Miguel and Santa Rosa Islands have windbreaks for each campsite. 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.
(699 acres) 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.
Santa Barbara Island:
(639 acres) 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.
San Miguel Island:
(9,325 acres) 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 Rosa Island:
(52,794 acres) 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 Cruz Island:
(60,645 acres) Seventy six percent 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.
Note Channel Islands National Park Superintendent Russell Galipeau announces a temporary and partial closure will be in effect on National Park Service (NPS) property on Santa Cruz Island to ensure safety during the pig hunt. The closure will occur from November 1, 2005 through March 20, 2006. During this time some day visitation will be allowed at Scorpion Valley and Prisoners Harbor.
Feral Pig Eradication Begins on Park Property on Santa Cruz Island Press Release
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.
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.
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.
For more information about the islands and camping-
Channel Islands National Park
1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001
805-658-5730, http://www.nps.gov/chis/homepage.htm
For camping reservations call 1-800-365-CAMP (2267), Biospherics Incorporated
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.
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
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.
http://www.nps.gov/chis/camping.htm
Last Update: 10/20/2005-7
This page constructed by 
Kent Bullard
