Enjoy These Spectacular Activities at Channel Islands National Park

Hike the Island Trails and Pitch Your Tent

The park has miles of hiking trails and plentiful camping spots that allow you to explore the islands’ diverse landscapes and ecosystems.

Trails for All Levels

You’ll have plenty of trails at varying difficulty levels to choose from! On Santa Cruz Island, hike the scenic Cavern Point Loop Hike for stunning ocean views and seasonal whale watching. Santa Rosa Island features the rare Torrey pine tree, which you can see on a hike to Torrey Pines. For more of a challenge, make the 16-mile roundtrip trek to Point Bennett on San Miguel Island, home to thousands of seals and sea lions. On Anacapa Island, the easy Inspiration Point Trail rewards hikers with sweeping, iconic views of the island and ocean below.

Pitch Your Tent

Camping is available year-round on all five islands in Channel Islands National Park in National Park Service-managed campgrounds. There is currently one established campground on each island: above the Landing Cove on Santa Barbara, on the east islet of Anacapa, at Scorpion Canyon on Santa Cruz, at Water Canyon on Santa Rosa, and above Cuyler Harbor on San Miguel. Limited backcountry camping is available on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands.

Know Before You Go

Before embarking on Channel Islands hikes, check NPS.gov for current alerts. Arrive prepared with a trail map, proper footwear, layers, hat, sun protection, and plenty of water and food. Each island is different, so be sure to do your research before you go on what types of weather and trail conditions you may encounter.

Island Isolation

The Channel Islands’ remoteness is part of their mystique but requires extra planning. Limited amenities means packing everything you need, including food, water, and first aid. It is important to reserve and coordinate your camping spot and your transportation to and from the island. While cell service is unreliable, the striking beauty and tranquility of these islands make unplugging completely worthwhile.

Observe Channel Islands Wildlife

The Channel Islands boast a rugged beauty, with towering sea cliffs, deep canyons, lush valleys, and sandy beaches. As you explore the islands on foot, you’ll be treated to panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean, with some trails leading to secluded coves and seastacks. Since the islands have no land bridges, native plants and animals evolved in isolation here, enhancing the islands’ uniqueness. More than two thousand plant and animal species can be found in the park, including 145 land and marine birds like the island scrub jay. Marine mammals are especially abundant—keep an eye out for seals, sea lions, dolphins, and gray, blue, and humpback whales. The best land-based wildlife viewing spots are Point Bennett on San Miguel and Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz.

Terrestrial Animals

The islands host a variety of land mammals, some of which are endemic subspecies found nowhere else. Look for the island fox, a diminutive canine measuring just 12 inches tall. Deer mice scurry around the landscape, while herds of introduced fallow deer graze in the grasslands. Keep an eye out for the nocturnal barn owl, hunting for prey under the cover of darkness.

Marine Animals

In the surrounding waters, you’ll find everything from tiny plankton to massive whales. Blue and humpback whales migrate past the islands each year. Playful dolphins ride the bow waves of boats, while lazy sea lions lounge on offshore rocks. Under the waves, Garibaldi damselfish dart amidst swaying kelp forests. Divers can spot leopard sharks, octopuses, and a colorful array of other fish.

Birds

From shorebirds to raptors to songbirds, over 200 bird species have been recorded in the park. Watch for the endemic island scrub jay with its bright blue feathers. Pelicans, cormorants, and other seabirds nest on the cliffs. Majestic bald eagles soar overhead, scanning for prey. Migrating birds use the islands as a stopover site along the Pacific Flyway each spring and fall.