Channel Islands National Park

Description:

• Comprised of five of the eight California Channel Islands, Channel Islands National Park is home to a wide variety of nationally, and internationally, significant natural and cultural resources. Anacapa, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz Islands are administered by the National Park Service; San Miguel, by the U.S. Navy and the National Park Service. A permit is needed to visit the latter. Santa Rosa is private property. Over 2,000 terrestrial plants and animals can be found within the park. However only four mammal species are endemic to the islands, one of which is the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) which is known to carry the sin nombre hantavirus. One hundred and forty-five of these species are unique to the islands and found nowhere else in the world.

  Marine life ranges from microscopic plankton to the endangered blue whale, the largest animal to live on earth. Archeological and cultural resources span a period of more than 10,000 years. The park consists of 249,353 acres, half of which are under the ocean, and include the islands of San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa and Santa Barbara. Even though the islands seem tantalizingly close to the densely populated, southern California coast, their isolation has left them relatively undeveloped, making them an exciting place for visitors to explore and find solitude.

  This National Park contains a visitor center on the mainland in Ventura, California, as well as small visitor centers on Anacapa and Santa Barbara Islands. The Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center lies on the mainland and provides the visitor with interpretive programs, a movie about the park, a tide pool display, native plant garden, bookstore and island exhibits. The facility is fully accessible and offers a picnic area overlooking the Ventura Harbor.
  
  On Anacapa Island (699 acres) you'll find hiking trails, a visitor center, lighthouse exhibits, primitive campground and picnic area. The site offers opportunities for SCUBA diving, snorkeling, bird watching, fishing and observing marine mammals. The campground lies on East Anacapa Island, a half mile from the dock and up 154 stairs. There are seven campsites with a campground capacity of 30 people.
  
  Santa Barbara Island (639 acres) has five miles of hiking trails, a visitor center, picnic area, and primitive campground. It offers visitors opportunities for hiking, bird watching, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, fishing and marine-mammal observation. The campground is a half mile uphill from the dock landing. There are eight campsites with a campground capacity of 30 people.
  
  San Miguel Island (9,325 acres) has a primitive campground, miles of hiking trails and beaches. The island supports activities such as Ranger-led hikes, marine-mammal observation, beach exploration and bird watching. The campground is a one mile hike uphill from the beach landing and has windbreaks. There are nine campsites with a total campground capacity of 30 people. Fewer than 200 people per year ever get the experience of
  camping on San Miguel Island.
  
  Santa Rosa Island (52,794 acres) has hiking trails and a primitive campground and offers beach exploration, wildlife observation, ranger-led hikes, vehicle tours and kayak beach-camping. The campground in Water Canyon is 1 1/2 mile miles across the flats from the pier landing, or 1/4 mile from the airstrip. There are 15 campsites with a 50 person campground capacity. The campground has windbreaks, running water (most people bring drinking water) and an invigorating shower.

  Santa Cruz Island (60,645 acres) is owned by the Nature Conservancy. The National Park Service owns the eastern ten percent, where visitors may observe wildlife, hike, camp and explore the newest addition to the park. The campground is in Scorpion Valley and has 40 sites and allows four to six people per site. The campsites are spread out along the valley floor half to one mile up the flats from the beach landing.

  Marine Resources include 125,000 acres and extend one mile from the islands' shoreline. The park's waters offer a full range of activities including sailing, power boating, fishing, SCUBA diving/snorkeling, surfing, wildlife observation and bird watching.

  Many visitors enjoy camping on the islands. Camping conditions are primitive and users must camp in designated campsites. All campgrounds are equipped with pit toilets and picnic tables. Water is available on Santa Rosa Island only. If you camp on the other islands you must pack in your own water. San Miguel and Santa Rosa Islands have windbreaks for each campsite. Campsites are generally located close to one another and if the campground is filled to capacity conditions may be crowded. No trash service is provided and all campers must pack out their own trash. Be prepared to carry your camping gear from the landing areas to the campground. The islands within the park extend along the southern California coast from Point Conception near Santa Barbara to just north of Los Angeles. Park headquarters and the Robert J. Lagomarsino visitor center are located in the city of Ventura.