Channel Islands National Park • California

Steep, rugged ocean cliffs extending in an island chain.

Yellow flowers in foreground extending out along a rocky coastline to a natural arch.

Pine tree high on a ridge overlooking a bay with blue water and white sand beach.

Brown seals and sea lions on white sand beach with blue water and partly cloudy sky.

Rust and grey colored fox in green grass.

Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources. Isolation over thousands of years has created unique animals, plants, and archeological resources found nowhere else on Earth and helped preserve a place where visitors can experience coastal southern California as it once was.

Inspiration Point, Anacapa Island: One of the most spectacular views in the park can be found from Inspiration Point. Looking to the west, one may see Middle and West Anacapa, with Santa Cruz Island in the distance.
Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

Arch Point, Santa Barbara Island: With winter rains, the coreopsis emerges from summer's dormancy with light green foliage and bright yellow daisy-like flowers
Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

Torrey Pines, Santa Rosa Island: Torrey pines occur naturally in only two locations throughout the world--on the cool, fog drenched northeastern slopes of Bechers Bay and just north of San Diego.
Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

Point Bennet, San Miguel Island: One of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in the world occurs on San Miguel with over 100,000 pinnipeds gathering to breed, pup, and rest.
Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

Island Fox, Santa Cruz Island: Thousands of years of isolation in a unique island environment has resulted in the development of the endemic island fox, a dwarf form of the mainland gray fox.
Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

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Duration:: 24 minutes, 9 seconds

ranger with visitor looking at map

Plan Your Visit

Plan like a Park Ranger: Things to know before you go

A ranger stands in front of a group of sitting students in a theater.

Schedule a visitor center or distance learning field trip.

screenshot of mobile app home page with a variety of different images from the park.

Plan your trip and enrich your visit with our free app.

boy with ranger on rocky beach looking at crab

Share Your Park Story

Capture your favorite views, moments, and adventures at Channel Islands National Park and share them with us.

hikers standing on hillside overlooking ocean, islands, and flowers.

Visit the park virtually.

Adult eagles in nest with chick.

View our bald eagle, ocean, Anacapa Island, and Mount Diablo webcams.

Park ranger SCUBA diving in kelp forest.

Channel Islands Live

Take a virtual visit to the Channel Islands through live broadcasts that highlight the park's natural and cultural resources.

©Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

Protect Your Park

Conduct a biosecurity check before departing the mainland.

Scorpion Anchorage, Santa Cruz Island ©timhaufphotography.com

Island Transportation

Transportation to the islands is available year-round only by park concessionaire boats and planes or by private boat.

Campground with lighhouse on Anacapa Island. ©Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

Camping is available year round on all five islands in Channel Islands National Park in National Park Service-managed campgrounds.

Visitors along coastline. ©Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

Many trails and roads traverse the islands, providing visitors with spectacular hiking opportunities.

Last updated: September 15, 2025

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1901 Spinnaker Drive
Ventura, CA 93001

Phone:

805 658-5730

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