Channel Islands National Park consist of five of the eight Channel Islands. They are located just off the coast of California and can be accessed by boat just north of Los Angeles. The islands are rocky outcrops rising straight out of the deep blue sea. They are great for hiking, kayaking, sailing and diving.
The islands are surrounded by some of the world’s main giant kelp forests and if you scuba dive, diving among a forest of giant kelp is some of the most unique diving you will ever do.
The Channel Islands National Park may not be as popular as some of the other national parks in the U.S., but makes my pick of the top national parks in the United States.
Table of Contents
Channel Islands National Park at a Glance
⭐ State: California
⭐ Main attractions: Hiking, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, sailing
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🧳GET TRAVEL INSURANCE: Get insured with Travelex before you go
Channel Islands National Park Travel Guide
Use these free guides to help you plan your next trip to Channel Islands National Park. Click on the links below to go to detailed guides and answers to your questions.
How to Plan a Trip to Channel Islands National Park
This guide will help you with what you should AVOID doing when you plan a trip to Channel Islands National Park.
Read More: 7 MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN PLANNING A TRIP TO CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Here are my top travel tips for Channel Islands National Park
Read More: 10 TIPS FOR VISITING CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Entrance Fee for Channel Islands National Park
There is no entrance fee for the park. It’s one of only 16 National Parks that is free to enter.
However, unless you have your own boat, you’ll need to pay to get there.
Channel Islands National Park Visitor Centers
There are two Visitor Centers – both on the mainland.
ℹ️ The main Visitor Center is in Ventura and is open daily, except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
ℹ️ The small Outdoors Santa Barbara Visitor Center is open daily except Thanksgiving Day, December 25, January 1 and the first Friday in August.
Things to Do in Channel Islands National Park
One of my favorite things to do in the park is diving/ snorkeling in the giant kelp forests that surround the islands.
Read More: KELP DIVING CHANNEL ISLANDS
Where to Stay In and Near Channel Islands National Park
⛺ There are no lodges or hotels on the islands, but each of the five islands in the National Park has a primitive campground. You need to bring everything with you, including water.
Boats to the islands leave from Oxnard or Ventura.
➡️ Find a hotel in Oxnard on Expedia.
➡️ Find a vacation rental in or near Oxnard on VRBO.
➡️ Find a hotel in Ventura on Expedia.
➡️ Find a vacation rental in or near Ventura on VRBO.
How to Get To Channel Islands National Park
Unless you have your own boat, you’ll need to take a ferry from Oxnard or Ventura on Island Packers.
There are several ways to get to the ports where you take the boat from.
Read More: HOW TO GET TO CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK
🚗 If you need a rental car, find one on RentalsCars.com
✈️ If you’re looking for a flight, find a good deal on Skyscanner
The Nearest Airports for Channel Islands National Park
There are several airports that you can fly into/ out of. This guide tells you about all the airports near Channel Islands National Park with the pros and cons of each of them.
This is the closest airport to Channel Islands National Park.
✈️ If you’re looking for flights, use Skyscanner to scan the Internet for the cheapest deals.
How to Get Around Channel Islands National Park
There are no roads on the islands, so the only way to get around is to hike or to take a boat from one port to another. Book a ferry with Island Packers.
🚗 If you need a rental car to get to the port, find one on RentalsCars.com
The Best Time to Visit Channel Islands National Park
The park is open all year, but the weather conditions, water temperatures and visibility vary throughout the year.
A quick summary of the best time to visit the national park for different interests and priorities.
Take a look at what the park’s like in each season and month to help you decide when to visit Channel Islands National Park.
Read More: VISITING CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
How Long to Spend in Channel Islands National Park
How many days you should go to Channel Islands National Park for depends on when you have time off, how much time you have, your budget, and your interests. Most people visit as a day trip.
If you want to stay over, you need to camp and bring everything with you, including water.
Travel Insurance for Channel Islands National Park
In addition to working out the logistics of your trip using this travel guide, Channel Islands National Park planning should also include travel insurance. Protect yourself against trip cancellation, loss or theft of your property, or any medical emergencies.
A great insurance option is Travelex. It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can compare Travel Insurance plans here or get a quote right now:
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About the author
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for many of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, and other resources will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.