Channel Islands National Park
- Location
- California
- Designation
- National Park
- Entrance fee
- Free entry
- Track it
- Free in Park'd
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.
Things to do in Channel Islands
Channel Islands offers a range of activities for visitors in California:
When to visit & weather
In general, the islands have a Mediterranean climate year-round. Temperatures are relatively stable, with highs averaging in the mid-60s (°F) and lows in the low-50s. However, there are seasonal differences that visitors should take into consideration when visiting the park. In addition, visitors also should be aware that ocean and weather conditions vary considerably from day-to-day and island-to-island. For more information visit: http://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/weather.htm
Getting to Channel Islands
While the mainland visitor center in Ventura is readily accessible by car or public transportation, the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats and planes or private boat. Advanced planning is highly recommended.
Track your visit to Channel Islands
Check Channel Islands off your national parks passport, log the trails you hiked and the wildlife you spotted, and see it on your personal map — free on iPhone with Park'd.
Explore more national parks
Planning a bigger trip? Browse the full list of all 63 US national parks, or keep exploring: