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 regulations and the guidelines listed below, you can help protect these rare and unique treasures of Channel Islands National Park for future generations to enjoy.

Park Regulations

There are a number of Federal and State laws and regulations that protect Channel Islands National Park and the people who visit here. Visitors to the park are responsible for knowing and abiding by those rules. This webpage is intended to help people learn about the rules that protect their park. Further information is available in publications such as the park's newspaper and from park rangers at headquarters and on the islands.

Here are highlighted some of the most important rules you need to know. The links below will take you to sources of further detail on those and all the other regulations:

Fishing is prohibited in the State Marine Reserves.

Personal Watercraft such as jet skis are not allowed in park waters.

Pets are not allowed on the islands.  Service animals require a permit from the Superintendent.

Fires and smoking are not permitted except in designated areas.

Landing is not permitted on offshore rocks and islets.

Waters around Pt. Bennett on San Miguel Island are closed to protect seals and sea lions.

Hikers must stay on established trails on Anacapa, Santa Barbara and San Miguel Islands.

Some sea caves at Santa Cruz Island are closed to protect nesting seabirds.

The shoreline of Santa Barbara is closed to landing except for the cove below the ranger station.

The shoreline of San Miguel is closed to landing except at Cuyler Harbor.

The beaches at Skunk Pt. and Sandy Pt. on Santa Rosa are closed to protect wildlife.

The waters on the north side of West Anacapa Island are closed most of the year to protect nesting pelicans.

Collecting of plants, rocks, animals and artifacts is prohibited.

The following items may not be brought to the park:

Live or Potted Plants

Soil

Cut Flowers

Firewood or any wood with attached bark

Corrugated boxes

Tools or equipment with attached soil

Motorized vehicles

Bicycles

Channel Islands National Park Local Regulations (http://www.nps.gov/chis/parkmgmt/upload/CHIS%20Compendium%202007.pdf)

Each national park has specific local regulations established under the Superintendent's discretionary authority under Title 36 CFR. These regulations are compiled annually and available here on the park website and in print at park headquarters.

Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_02/36cfrv1_02.html)

The regulations that govern all national parks including Channel Islands are encompassed in Title 36 CFR.

California Marine Region Sportfishing Regulations (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/)

Fishing in the waters of Channel Islands National Park is governed by the State of California. The State sport fishing regulations for ocean waters apply in the park. A valid California fishing license with an ocean enhancement stamp is required to fish within the park.

Channel Islands Marine Protected Areas (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/channel_islands/index.asp)

The State of California's Marine Protected Areas in the Channel Islands took effect on April 9, 2003. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expanded these Marine Protected Areas into federal wates on July 29, 2007. Within these reserves it is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource, except under a permit or specific authorization from the commission for research, restoration, or monitoring purposes. There are 11 marine reserves and two conservation areas in the Channel Islands. The link above will take you to a website with maps of the reserves and details of the regulations.

For more information regarding park regulations, contact the park's Chief Ranger by phone at (805) 658-5730, by email at Chief Ranger (http://www.nps.gov/PWR/sendmail.htm?o=70838L%2A%2B5IJB%2EO%21%3A%5D%5E%2...), or by mail at:

Channel Islands National Park

Chief Ranger

1901 Spinnaker Drive

Ventura, California 93001

Park Guidelines

Avoid approaching areas (sea caves, offshore rocks, cliffs, and beaches) with birds, seals, and sea lions that are roosting, nesting, or pupping. Look ahead and give animals a 100-yard clearance if possible. Be alert for birds that you may not be able to see around guano-covered rocks and pinnipeds hauled out on secluded beaches.

Seabirds and shorebirds are disturbed easily and may knock their eggs out of or abandon their nests if they are flushed suddenly. Adult birds will stay away from the nest while people are in the area. The eggs or chicks may overheat in the sun without parental protection. Gulls and ravens are less shy of people and will take advantage of a disturbance to steal eggs and chicks. Entire colonies have been lost this way.

Pupping harbor seals, sea lions, and other pinnipeds are also sensitive to any type of human disturbance and may abandon their pups. Be careful not to disturb seal pups that appear stranded on beaches. These pups are being weaned by their mothers. In addition, all of these animals are easily disturbed when resting or preening on rocks or secluded beaches at the water's edge. Rest periods are important to their energy budget. Approach new territory slowly and quietly. If you see animals close by, quietly move away. There may be more animals than you first see.

It is recommended that visitors avoid sea caves, including dry caves behind beaches, during the spring and summer when seabirds are nesting.

Entering caves and/or making loud noises in these areas may cause seabirds to abandon their nests. Pelagic cormorants nest on tiny ledges of sea cliffs and just inside the mouths of caves. Xantus's murrelets, pigeon guillemots and ashy storm-petrels nest in crevices, ledges, and under rocks and debris inside caves. Many seabirds leave their nests alone while feeding, so even if birds are not present, a misplaced step could crush an egg or chick by moving a loose rock. Bats also hibernate in some of the dry sea caves and waking them can cause a fatal depletion of energy reserves.

There may be resting birds and pinnipeds in caves and on offshore rocks even after the breeding season. Under federal law it is illegal to disturb and/or harm these animals. Be cautious of pinnipeds resting on rocks or beaches in the backs of caves. Startling a pinniped that you can't see in the dark could be hazardous for you as well.

Avoid using artificial light when viewing wildlife and at anytime while in sea caves.

Birds, pinnipeds, bats, and other animals are all easily disturbed by artificial light.

In order to be rewarded with displays of interesting natural behavior, never chase any animals and do not try to see how close you can approach them.

If an animal starts to look alarmed (appears agitated or starts watching you), then you are too close. Even though it may not show obvious agitation, being too close can cause severe stress. Sit calmly at a safe distance. Let the animal's natural curiosity take over and it may approach you. Let seabirds, pinnipeds, foxes, and other animals adjust to your presence and you will be rewarded with displays of exciting natural behavior. For your safety as well as theirs, do not approach sick or injured animals. Alert a ranger or a wildlife rehabilitation center.

Avoid disturbance of nesting and pupping wildlife and take advantage of the islands' best weather by kayaking during September and October.

Most seabirds, shorebirds and pinnipeds have completed their reproductive cycles by this time. In addition, calm seas and light wind are common during these months.

Remember, these animals have nowhere else to go.

Help educate others. Let's protect our wildlife for all to see.

Pets

In order to protect island wildlife, pets are not allowed in the park. Please leave your pets at home.

Some of the diseases and parasites that now threaten the fox may have been carried to the islands by animals from the mainland. While a domestic dog might have immunity from certain parasites and diseases, it may still carry them. Due to their insular existence, island foxes have no such built-up immunity to many of these ailments and are quite vulnerable to them. So please help protect the island fox and other island animals by leaving pets at home.

PARK SAFETY

Your Safety

Due to the remote and primitive nature of the islands, a safe visit to the park depends on visitor assuming individual responsibility for planning their trips and visiting safely.

For your safety, please remember:

Weather conditions change rapidly; dress in layers.

There are no supplies on the islands. Take water, food, and other necessities.

Watch your step—ladders, railings, and stairs may be wet.

Stay back from cliff edges; they may be crumbly or undercut—a fall could be fatal.

Do not approach marine mammals, such as whales, seals, and seal lions.

Check for ticks and watch out for poison oak and cactus.

Deer mice on the islands may carry diseases, including deadly hantavirus (link to Hantavirus section below) Avoid all contact with mice and other wild animals. Keep food in rodent-proof containers.

In an emergency on the islands, contact a ranger or concession employee, or use a cell phone to dial 911. On the water, use a marine radio VHF channel 16.

For safety information on a specific topic or activity please click on one of the links below.

Hantavirus (link to Hantavirus section below)

Boating (link to Boating section below)

Camping (link to Camping section below)

Hiking (link to Hiking section below)

Kayaking (link to Kayaking section below)

Diving and Snorkeling (link to Diving and Snorkeling section below)

Hantavirus

Hantavirus has recently been found in deer mouse populations at Channel Islands National Park. This mouse-carried virus also has been found in many locations on the mainland. This is a potentially fatal disease, and some basic precautions should be taken.

Avoid contact with rodents.

Rodents are hosts for a variety of diseases and parasites, including ticks and fleas, which may carry plague and rabies. Hantavirus is transmitted through the body fluids of the deer mouse, and can become aerosolized when large masses of feces and dried urine are disturbed. People hiking and camping on the islands are considered to be at low risk; rather, most cases of hantavirus infection have occurred when people have cleaned out or lived in buildings that have been inhabited by large numbers of rodents for many years. The precautions for avoiding infection by hantavirus are the same as those for the avoidance of any illness that may be contracted from rodents. When camping or hiking on the islands, the basic practices of cleanliness will reduce your chance of rodent contact.

Do not feed any wild animals.

Viruses and diseases are often passed through saliva. To reduce your chances of being bitten, avoid contact with wild animals.

Keep food, drink, utensils, and trash in rodent-proof containers.

On the islands, the mice are mostly active at night, but will also come out during the day while you are away from your site. It is best to keep all food related items in plastic coolers or other containers that mice cannot chew through. It is not recommended to store food within tents, backpacks, or clothing since mice have been known to chew through these items. National Park Service food storage boxes are provided at campsites.

Prevent entry of mice into your tent.

Mice will go everywhere in their search for food, so keep your tent screen zipped even when you are nearby. Keep your clothing and footwear inside your sealed tent especially at night.

Symptoms of hantavirus infection:

Infection by hantavirus causes flu-like symptoms followed by acute respiratory distress. If you experience fever, aches, and/or stomach cramps and believe you may have had contact with rodents within the last 30 days, contact your physician immediately and inform your physician that you have had contact with rodents and possibly hantavirus.

Boating

Due to challenging weather conditions, boating should not be attempted by the novice or anyone who is not properly trained, conditioned, and equipped. Currents, shifting swells, fog, and strong winds can change quickly in the channel. There are no public moorings or all-weather anchorages around the islands. It is recommended that one person stay on board the boat at all times.

Float Plans

Boaters should always file a formal float plan with the harbormaster before departing. Family and/or friends should also be informed of your float plan. Names and addresses for the boaters, as well as emergency phone numbers, should be listed. Plans should also include the number of boats and boaters on the trip as well as the color, size, and type of craft used. Any survival and special emergency equipment should be listed (EPIRB, VHF, food rations, flares, etc.). The place, date, and time of departure and return should be logged as well as destination(s). This information can be invaluable for a search operation if something goes wrong. Remember to be flexible with your plans. Weather should always determine your course of action.

Shipping Lanes

Major shipping lanes lie between the islands and the mainland. Boaters should be aware of their location and use caution when crossing them. All boaters should listen to the USCG notice to mariners broadcast on VHF channel 22 since the waters in and surrounding the park are sometimes closed for military operations.

Sea Caves

Sea caves can be very dangerous—large waves or swells can fill a cave unexpectedly. Be extremely careful and wear a helmet at all times when exploring sea caves. See Park Regulations and Guidelines (link to Park Regulations and Guidelines at top of page) for sea cave closure information.

Hiking

Many trails and roads traverse the islands, providing visitors with spectacular hiking opportunities. These trails and roads range from the maintained, relatively flat, signed trails of Anacapa to the unmaintained, rugged, mountainous, unsigned paths of Santa Rosa.

Please click on the links above for maps and descriptions of island trails. In addition, trail maps, guides, and topographic maps are available at park visitor centers and at island bulletin boards.

Hikers need to assume individual responsibility for planning their trips and hiking safely. To increase your odds of a safe hike, decrease your disturbance to wildlife, and lessen damage to resources, visitors should be in good physical condition and must follow the regulations and guidelines in Park Regulations and Guidelines (link to Park Regulations and Guidelines at top of page) as well as those listed below:

Stay on trails and roads while hiking—avoid animal trails which are narrow, uneven, unstable and dangerous.

Cliff edges should be avoided at all times since they tend to be crumbly and unstable. Stay well back. Children should be supervised at all times by an adult.

Carry plenty of water—one quart for short walks, more for longer hikes.

Hikers should never hike alone—use the buddy system. This allows someone to go for help if you encounter trouble.

Be aware of poison oak, "jumping" cholla cactus, ticks, and scorpions. Poison oak can be identified by its clusters of three shiny leaflets. Some ticks carry disease; check your clothing and exposed skin after hiking.

In order to help prevent wildfires, do not smoke on trails or in brush areas. Smoking is allowed only on beaches or other designated areas.

In departing from the islands, visitors are responsible for meeting the boat concessionaire on time. Be aware of departure time by asking the ranger or concessionaire employees.

Hantavirus (link to Hantavirus section above) is present in island deer mouse populations. This is a potentially fatal disease and some basic precautions should be taken. Click here for more information 

Kayaking

Due to challenging weather conditions, kayaking should not be attempted by the novice or anyone who is not properly trained, conditioned, and equipped. Safety requires good planning and common sense. Sea kayaking is potentially hazardous, even for experienced kayakers. Please follow these saftey recommendations:

Use the buddy system

There are no lifeguards on duty. Kayaking is at your own risk. Stay together and paddle within the skills of the least experienced paddler in the group.

Obtain current weather and sea conditions.

The conditions around the islands are considered "open ocean." Extreme weather conditions may be encountered at any time and sea conditions may become dangerous without warning.There is no place where visitors will be kayaking in a protected cove. Always observe and evaluate sea conditions before entering the water. Be alert to wind, wave, and currents at all times. 

Do not travel down wind (with the wind) as you will have to return into a headwind.

Wind and waves typically come out of the northwest or west. Winds tend to increase in the afternoon. Morning hours can be a better time for kayaking, and other watersports. Challengin Santa Ana or east winds may occur at anytime, but are most common from September through April. 

Do not exceed your skill level.

If you are new to sea kayaking or other watersports, stay close to your launch area and paddle with an experienced kayaker. Ask National Park Service personnel or kayak guides if you have questions concerning weather, safety, etc. Be capable of re-entering your kayak from the water.

Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. 

Kayakers should always file a float plan with family and/or friends and inform them of your departure and return. The float plan should include: 1) the number of boats and boaters on the trip as well as the color, size, and type of craft used; 2) names and addresses for the boaters, as well as emergency phone numbers; 3) any survival and special emergency equipment should be listed (EPIRB, VHF, food rations, flares, etc.); and 4) the place, date, and time of departure and return should be logged as well as destination(s). This information can be invaluable for a search operation if something goes wrong. Remember to be flexible with your plans. Weather should always determine your course of action.

If you are kayaking across the channel, kayakers should also file a formal float plan with the harbormaster before departing and contact island rangers at the beginning and end of the paddle.

Carefully select and equip your paddlecraft.

Craft should be of a sea kayak design and kayakers must have the following items:

Lifejackets—all paddlers must have lifejackets.

Helmets—always wear a helmet when paddling below cliffs and in sea caves.

VHF radio, tow line, compass, throw bag, first aid kit, signaling device (airhorn, whistle, or signal mirror). Carry these items with you and know how to use them.

Wetsuits are highly recommended. Water temperatures remain cold throughout the year.

Sea Caves

Sea caves can be very dangerous—large waves or swells can fill a cave unexpectedly. Even on calm days, the wake from large ships in the channel can pose a danger to kayakers in caves. Be extremely careful and wear a helmet at all times when exploring sea caves. Always observe and evaluate sea conditions before entering any sea cave.

Shipping Lanes

Major shipping lanes lie between the islands and the mainland. Kayakers should be aware of their location and use caution when crossing them. All kayakers should listen to the USCG notice to mariners broadcast on VHF channel 22 since the waters in and surrounding the park are sometimes closed for military operations.

Regulations

In addition to the regulations listed below please see Park Regulations and Guidelines (link to Park Regulations and Guidelines at top of page) for additional information.

You may not exit your kayak while in the sea caves.

Do disturb wildlife within caves. It is illegal to feed, touch, tease, frighten, or intentionally disturb wildlife.

Please avoid use of artificial lights in caves.

Stay off rocks. Scorpion Rock and all other off shore islets are off limits.

Several sea caves are closed to public entry. To protect nesting ashy storm-petrels and Xantus's murrelets and their habitats, Bat Cave and caves #3 and #4 within the Cavern Point Cove Cave Complex are closed year-round. (Bat Cave: UTM 11S 0262623, 3770695 Lat. N34°03'07.2", Long. W119°34'25; Cavern #3 & #4: UTM 11S 0263641, 3770901 Lat. N34°03'16.0", Long. W119°33'41). Refer to the map above.

Marine Reserves are closed to fishing. The area between Scorpion Rock and Potato Harbor from the shoreline out to 3 nautical miles is a State Marine Reserve— the take of living, geological, or cultural resources is prohibited. Please visit Channel Islands Marine Protected Areas (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/) for more information on marine reserves.

Diving and Snorkeling

The kelp forests, sea caves, and coves of the park await the adventurous swimmer, snorkeler, and diver. Some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world can be done right here within the park.

These activities are best done on Santa Barbara, Anacapa, and eastern Santa Cruz Islands. Due to extremely windy conditions on Santa Rosa and San Miguel, these activities should not be attempted on these islands by the novice or anyone who is not properly trained, conditioned, and equipped.

Please refer to local area dive shops, dive operations, and diving publications for more detailed information on island snorkeling and diving sites and dive boat trips.

Since the marine environment can be unforgiving, use extra caution when engaging in these activities. Ocean conditions are highly variable and sometimes dangerous. Many beaches on the islands have steep, dangerous shore breaks. The wind and swell generally come from the northwest and become stronger as the day continues. From October through January, visitors must also be prepared for strong east or Santa Ana winds. The ocean currents outside of coves and protected beach areas can be strong and extremely dangerous. These conditions should be carefully considered when planning your trip and entering the water.

In addition to the regulations and guidelines listed at Park Regulations and Guidelines (link to Park Regulations and Guidelines at top of page), the following suggestions should also be considered:

There are no lifeguards on duty, so all water sports are at your own risk. Visitors should be aware of boat landing operations at all times—avoid water sports near skiffs that are conducting surf landings.

Snorkelers, divers, and swimmers should always use the buddy system. This allows for someone to go for help if you encounter trouble.

For your own safety, the law requires divers to display a dive flag while diving. It is recommended that spear guns be unloaded at least 50 feet from the beach.

Before departing, swimmers, snorkelers and divers should leave an itinerary and/or float plan with someone who is on shore and can be easily contacted.

Sea caves can be very dangerous—large waves or swells can fill a cave unexpectedly. Be extremely careful and wear a helmet at all times when exploring sea caves.

Due to cold water conditions (55° to 70° F), wetsuits and hoods are recommended.