Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park
Just off the coast of California's mainland lies Channel Islands National Park, one of North America's most pristine treasures. Due to isolation over thousands of years, the park has created unique animals, plants, and archeological resources found nowhere else on Earth. The park encompasses five remarkable islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara) and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Russell GalipeauPhone Number: 805-658-5730
Entrance Fees: Campsite: $15.00 (per night per site)
Sights: Anacapa Island; Santa Barbara Island; Santa Cruz Island; San Miguel Island; Santa Rosa Island; Cabrillo Monument; Lester Ranch Site; Caliche Forest; Point Bennett
Endangered Species: Island Fox; Hoffmann
Important Dates
Established as Park: March 5, 1980By The Numbers
Acres: 249,561.00Highest Point: Devil's Peak (inholding) (2475 feet)
Annual Visitation: 375,256 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :34.009200 / -119.393930 (map it)
State: CA
Nearby Big City: Oxnard, CA
Gateway Communities: Ventura, CA; Oxnard, CA; Springville, CA; Oakview, CA; Port Hueneme, CA; Camarillo, CA
Nearby Airports: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX); Burbank Airport (BUR); Santa Barbara Airport (SBA)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Anacapa Campsite
Thomas Barrat
Inspiration Point
Thomas Barrat
Channel Islands, 1283
National Park Service
View More Channel Islands Photos
In Detail
Activities & Programs On the islands, rangers, and volunteer naturalists offer guided hikes throughout the year. Also, every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoon from Memorial Day through Labor Day, rangers conduct a ... read more.
Backcountry Camping at Channel Islands Santa Cruz Island Del Norte is currently the only backcountry campground on Santa Cruz Island. It is nestled in a shaded oak grove and provides scenic views of the pristine coastline along the island ... read more.
Boating Boating (excluding personal watercraft—see Park Regulations and Safety (link to Park Regulations and Safety page) for more information) is a unique and rewarding way to experience the pristin ... read more.
Camping at Channel Islands Camping 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 ... read more.
Flora & Fauna ANIMALS A variety of organisms can be found on and around the Channel Islands, from top predators like bald eagles and sharks, to intertidal residents such as seastars and barnaces, to the tiniest ... read more.
Hiking the Channel Islands Hiking Anacapa Island Although Middle and West Anacapa are not open to hiking (they are set aside for the island wildlife except for a small beach on the West islet called Frenchy's Cove that can be ... read more.
History of Channel Islands Surfacing over the horizon from the depths of the Pacific Ocean, the coastal mountains of California's Channel Islands offer an extraordinary gateway to the past, spanning more than 12,000 years of h ... read more.
Just For Kids Be A Junior Ranger This program helps children discover and protect the wonders of the islands. Ask for a free junior ranger booklet at the visitor center or boat/plane concessionaire offices or on t ... read more.
Kayaking Kayaking (excluding personal watercraft—see Park Regulations and Guidelines (link to Park Regulations and Guidelines at top of page) for more information) is a unique and rewarding way to exp ... read more.
Park Regulations & Safety at Channel Islands PARK REGULATIONS AND GUIDLINES The protection and preservation of your park's biological, cultural, and historical resources is a major mission of the National Park Service. By following the regulati ... read more.
Planning Your Visit to Channel Islands Close to the California mainland, yet worlds apart, Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara) and their ocean ... read more.
Preserving Channel Islands Natural areas, such as Channel Islands National Park, play an important role in indicating when critical changes are happening on the earth, our life support system. Parks can play the role of "the c ... read more.
Sights To See Anacapa Island Crossing the channel to Anacapa Island, one begins to understand why the island's name was derived from its Chumash Native American Indian name, "Ennepah." Seeming to change shape in t ... read more.
Vistor Services Visitor Centers The Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at Channel Islands National Park 1901 Spinnaker Drive Ventura, CA 93001 805-658-5730 The visitor center features a bookstore, a display of mar ... read more.
Welcome to Channel Islands Welcome Close to the California mainland, yet worlds apart, Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara) and thei ... read more.
Who's Who in the Park The park has many partners that assist in preserving and protecting the Channel Islands. Together, we are a bulwark for cultural and biological diversity, preserving the islands' history and prehis ... read more.
Recent News
- Kayaking Trips at Channel Islands National Park May 15, 2008, 1:22 pm
Channel Islands In Depth
News from the Parks
Alexander Backs New Source of Funding for National Parks
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
EPA's Pollution Plan Slammed
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
Dinosaur Fossils In Utah Inspire 'Jr. Paleontologists'
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
A Paiute Take On Bryce Canyon's Hoodoos
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
Can The Everglades Be Saved?
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
