Camping Near Channel Islands National Park
California | Established 1980
About Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park protects five islands and their surrounding marine sanctuary off the southern California coast. Each island has a single primitive campground accessible only by boat: Scorpion Canyon on Santa Cruz Island (31 sites), Water Canyon on Santa Rosa Island, and smaller campgrounds on Anacapa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara islands. Island Packers, the park concessionaire, operates ferries from Ventura Harbor with roundtrip fares starting at $63 per adult.
No stores, restaurants, or rental equipment exist on any island. Drinking water is available only at Scorpion Canyon and Water Canyon; all other islands require campers to carry every drop. Wind exposure is severe, with 30-knot gusts common even in summer. The islands reward prepared campers with coastal solitude, sea cave kayaking, endemic island fox sightings, and kelp forest snorkeling in clear Pacific waters free from mainland light and noise pollution.
Camping Tips for Channel Islands
- Book Island Packers ferry and recreation.gov campsite reservations simultaneously, six months ahead. Both fill for spring and fall weekends. April through May and September through October offer the best weather and calmest seas.
- Pack at least one gallon of water per person per day. Anacapa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara islands have zero potable water. Even Scorpion and Water Canyon water should be supplemented with carried reserves.
- Bring a storm-rated tent with full guylines and heavy stakes. Thirty-knot winds are routine on all islands. Lightweight backpacking tents without proper anchoring will fail in exposed island conditions.
- Avoid Scorpion Canyon in late summer when yellow jacket colonies peak from July through September. If you have venom allergies, choose Water Canyon on Santa Rosa or visit in spring.
- Open fires are prohibited on all islands. Pack a compact canister stove for cooking. Fuel canisters must be stored separately on the ferry in designated containers during transport.
RV Parks & Campgrounds Near Channel Islands National Park
111.Last Chance Trail
Last Chance Trail is a campground located in Santa Paula, California, offering a convenient base for outdoor enthusiasts exploring the area. The campground provides camping...
Show moreShowing 111–111 of 111 campgrounds within 50 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Channel Islands campgrounds?
Island Packers ferries depart from Ventura Harbor to each island, with trips ranging from one to three hours depending on the destination. Roundtrip fares start at $63 per adult for Santa Cruz Island. No roads or bridges connect the islands to the mainland. Private boats can also access island anchorages.
Santa Cruz Island (Scorpion Canyon) is the closest and most popular, with a one-hour crossing. Santa Rosa requires a three-hour ferry. Anacapa is about an hour but has steep ladder access from the boat. San Miguel and Santa Barbara are the most remote with limited ferry schedules. Book ferry and campsite together six months ahead since both fill for peak weekends. Check sea conditions before departure since rough swells can cancel trips.
What facilities exist at island campgrounds?
All campgrounds have pit toilets and picnic tables. Scorpion Canyon and Water Canyon provide potable water. No island has showers, stores, trash service, phone service, or any other facilities. Campers must pack in all food and supplies and pack out all trash.
Scorpion Canyon on Santa Cruz has 31 sites including group sites for up to 15 people. Sites sit on exposed coastal terraces with little shade or wind protection. Water Canyon on Santa Rosa has fewer but more spread-out sites. Both are a short walk from the boat landing. Anacapa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara campgrounds are more rugged with no water at all. Bear-proof food storage boxes are provided at Scorpion Canyon to protect against island foxes and ravens.
Will I see island foxes at the campgrounds?
Island foxes are nearly guaranteed at Scorpion Canyon on Santa Cruz Island, where they forage openly around campsites and trails throughout the day. On Santa Rosa, they are present but less habituated to humans. Other islands have smaller or no fox populations depending on conservation status.
The foxes are cat-sized, endemic to the Channel Islands, and found nowhere else on Earth. They recovered from near extinction (fewer than 100 individuals) to over 2,000 per island through an intensive captive breeding program. Do not feed foxes or leave food accessible. Store all food in provided storage boxes. Foxes are most active at dawn and dusk but curious enough to approach campsites throughout the day. Bring a camera with a moderate zoom lens for close encounters.
Is kayaking available from the island campgrounds?
Guided kayak tours operate from Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island and explore sea caves, kelp forests, and rocky coves inaccessible on foot. Tours require separate booking and fees ranging from $50 to $150 depending on duration. Personal kayaks can be transported on the ferry as checked gear.
Painted Cave on Santa Cruz Island is among the largest sea caves in the world and a highlight of guided trips. Conditions vary daily based on swell and wind. Guides cancel cave entries when swells exceed safe limits. Kayaking independently requires self-certification of experience. Snorkeling in kelp forests is often combined with kayak tours. Water temperatures range from 55 to 70°F depending on season, so wetsuits are recommended year-round.
Can I camp on Channel Islands year-round?
All five island campgrounds are open year-round, but winter conditions bring rough seas, rain, and frequent ferry cancellations from December through February. Spring and fall offer the most stable weather with warm days, calm seas, and manageable wind. Summer brings reliable ferry service but stronger afternoon winds.
April through May features wildflower blooms and moderate winds. September through October provides the warmest water and clearest skies for kayaking and snorkeling. Winter ferry schedules run less frequently, and heavy swells strand campers if return trips are canceled. Build at least one extra day of food and water into winter trips as a buffer. Summer (June through August) is warmest but windiest, with afternoon gusts making tent camping challenging on exposed sites.
What happens if the ferry is canceled while I am on the island?
If seas are too rough for safe crossing, Island Packers cancels the return ferry and reschedules when conditions improve. Campers may be stranded an extra day or two during winter storms. The park recommends carrying extra food, water, and fuel for at least two additional days beyond your planned stay.
Ferry cancellations are rare in summer but occur several times per month in winter. No alternative transportation exists. Cell service is unavailable on most islands, so you cannot call for updates. Rangers on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa may relay information. Trip cancellation insurance covers lost ferry and campsite fees if weather prevents departure. Flexible travel dates reduce stress during shoulder seasons when conditions are less predictable.
How much water should I bring to the islands?
Bring at least one gallon per person per day for all islands. Anacapa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara have zero potable water, requiring 100% of your supply to be carried. Scorpion Canyon and Water Canyon provide water but supplies can run low during dry conditions and heavy visitor periods.
Water weighs 8.3 pounds per gallon. A three-day trip for two people requires a minimum of six gallons (50 pounds) plus all food and gear. Most campers bring two to three gallons and supplement from island sources when available. Use water conservation techniques: wet wipes for hygiene, minimal dish washing, and dry meal preparations. Portable water filters are useful insurance against island system failures but are not necessary when systems are operational.
Do I need a park entrance pass for Channel Islands?
No entrance fee is charged for Channel Islands National Park. The main costs are Island Packers ferry tickets ($63 or more roundtrip per adult) and campsite fees ($15 per night per site) through recreation.gov. The park visitor center at Ventura Harbor is free to visit and provides trip planning resources and exhibits.
Children under three typically ride free on the ferry, with reduced rates for ages three to twelve. Campsite fees are per site, not per person, so groups sharing a site reduce individual costs. America the Beautiful passes do not cover ferry or camping fees since these are concessionaire charges. Group sites at Scorpion Canyon accommodate up to 15 people at higher nightly rates. Day trips without camping are available and cost only the ferry fare.
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee
- Free (ferry $63+/person RT)
- Best Time to Visit
- April – October
- Nearest Town
- Ventura, CA, Oxnard, CA, Santa Barbara, CA
- Elevation
- 0 – 2,429 ft
- Park Size
- 249,354 acres
- Annual Visitors
- ~0.7 million