{"id":"nps-chis","slug":"channel-islands-national-park","name":"Channel Islands National Park","designation":"National Park","category":"national-park","categoryLabel":"National Park","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"CHIS","designation":"National Park","sourceId":"nps-chis"}],"states":["CA"],"stateNames":["California"],"location":{"lat":33.98680093,"lon":-119.9112735},"bbox":[-120.473,33.4481,-119.008,34.2492],"acres":{"value":243468,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"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.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/chis/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=34.2492&b_tl_lng=-120.473&b_br_lat=33.4481&b_br_lng=-119.008","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Channel%20Islands%20National%20Park","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/8DE774D1-CB22-37F2-D826E3F0A73D303A.jpg","title":"Inspiration Point by Tim Hauf","alt":"Steep, rugged ocean cliffs extending in an island chain.","caption":"Inspiration Point, Anacapa Island: One of the most spectacular views in the park can be found from Inspiration Point. Looking to the west, one may see Middle and West Anacapa, with Santa Cruz Island in the distance.","credit":"Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/8E0CA65D-0CF8-87C6-DE4B4AA7AAC02DEA.jpg","title":"Arch Point by Tim Hauf","alt":"Yellow flowers in foreground extending out along a rocky coastline to a natural arch.","caption":"Arch Point, Santa Barbara Island: With winter rains, the coreopsis emerges from summer's dormancy with light green foliage and bright yellow daisy-like flowers","credit":"Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/8DF30150-D91A-D761-4A5064BA77154E2C.jpg","title":"Torrey Pines by Tim Hauf","alt":"Pine tree high on a ridge overlooking a bay with blue water and white sand beach.","caption":"Torrey Pines, Santa Rosa Island: Torrey pines occur naturally in only two locations throughout the world--on the cool, fog drenched northeastern slopes of Bechers Bay and just north of San Diego.","credit":"Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/8E1AE30B-DBDB-C193-C1023F2C7591ABA0.jpg","title":"Point Bennet by Tim Hauf","alt":"Brown seals and sea lions on white sand beach with blue water and partly cloudy sky.","caption":"Point Bennet, San Miguel Island: One of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in the world occurs on San Miguel with over 100,000 pinnipeds gathering to breed, pup, and rest.","credit":"Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/8E003516-C693-8617-61EC2F2E06BA1E45.jpg","title":"Island Fox by Tim Hauf","alt":"Rust and grey colored fox in green grass.","caption":"Island Fox, Santa Cruz Island: Thousands of years of isolation in a unique island environment has resulted in the development of the endemic island fox, a dwarf form of the mainland gray fox.","credit":"Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Astronomy","Stargazing","Boating","Motorized Boating","Sailing","Boat Tour","Camping","Backcountry Camping","Canoe or Kayak Camping","Group Camping","Compass and GPS","Orienteering","Fishing","Saltwater Fishing","Food","Picnicking","Guided Tours","Self-Guided Tours - Walking","Boat Tour","Hiking","Backcountry Hiking","Front-Country Hiking","Off-Trail Permitted Hiking","Paddling","Canoe or Kayak Camping","Kayaking","Stand Up Paddleboarding","Junior Ranger Program","SCUBA Diving","Snorkeling","Surfing","Swimming","Saltwater Swimming","Wildlife Watching","Birdwatching","Park Film","Museum Exhibits","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store"],"topics":["Architecture and Building","Archeology","Colonization and Settlement","Commerce","Trade","Explorers and Expeditions","Farming and Agriculture","Ranches","Maritime","Coastal Defenses","Maritime - Military","Lighthouses","Piracy and Privateering","Ships and Shipwrecks","Military","US Navy","US Coast Guard","Monuments and Memorials","Native American Heritage","Animals","Birds","Fish","Climate Change","Coasts, Islands and Atolls","Dunes","Estuaries and Mangroves","Fire","Forests and Woodlands","Fossils and Paleontology","Geology","Grasslands","Mountains","Natural Sounds","Night Sky","Astronomy","Oceans","Whales","River and Riparian","Scenic Views","Thickets and Shrublands","Trails","Unique Species","Rare","Endangered","Watersheds","Wetlands","Marshes","Wilderness"],"fees":[],"passes":[],"hours":[{"name":"Channel Islands National Park","description":"The park is open 24 hours a day. Services and facilities have separate hours. Please see descriptions of those facilities elsewhere.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"All Day","monday":"All Day","thursday":"All Day","sunday":"All Day","tuesday":"All Day","friday":"All Day","saturday":"All Day"},"exceptions":[]}],"directions":"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.","weatherInfo":"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","contacts":{"phone":"8056585730","email":"chis_information@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center","description":"The Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at Channel Islands National Park features a bookstore, a display of marine aquatic life, and exhibits featuring the unique character of each park island. Visitors also will enjoy the 25-minute park movie, “A Treasure in the Sea,” shown throughout the day in the auditorium (closed-caption film available upon request). The fully accessible visitor center is open 8:30 am until 5 pm daily. The visitor center is closed on Thanksgiving and December 25th.","url":"http://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm","lat":34.2484535,"lon":-119.266582},{"name":"Outdoors Santa Barbara Visitor Center","description":"The small Outdoors Santa Barbara Visitor Center not only has one of the best views of Santa Barbara, but also offers visitors information about Channel Islands National Park, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, and the City of Santa Barbara. Open 10:30 am until 4:30 pm daily. The visitor center is closed on Thanksgiving Day, December 25, January 1, and the first Friday in August for Fiesta.","url":"http://outdoorsb.sbmm.org/","lat":34.4040948103,"lon":-119.693621455},{"name":"Visitor Center Anacapa Island","description":"Once the historic Coast Guard general services building (workshop and garage), this Mission Revival style building now serves as a small visitor center that features include displays on the natural and cultural resources of the island and the original lead-crystal Fresnel lens from the Anacapa Lighthouse.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm","lat":34.015499,"lon":-119.36376},{"name":"Santa Barbara Island Visitor Center","description":"A small visitor center is located on the island. Features include displays on the natural and cultural resources of the island.","url":"","lat":33.4806962333,"lon":-119.029582707},{"name":"Scorpion Ranch Visitor Center on Santa Cruz Island","description":"The small visitor center resides in the historic Scorpion Ranch house which was constructed in 1886-1887.","url":"","lat":34.04887527,"lon":-119.558456498},{"name":"Santa Rosa Island Visitor Contact Station","description":"The historic schoolhouse is now home to this small visitor contact station with exhibits on the ranching history of Santa Rosa Island.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/places/000/schoolhouse-1.htm","lat":34.007494,"lon":-120.050574},{"name":"San Miguel Island Ranger and Visitor Contact Station","description":"The visitor contact and ranger station is only open when staff is present.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/places/000/ranger-station.htm","lat":34.0385019677,"lon":-120.351545479}],"campgrounds":[{"name":"Anacapa Island Campground","description":"Primitive camping is available (seven sites; $15 per night per site; reservations required). Picnic table, food storage box, and pit toilet are provided. No water is available. Distance from landing to campground is one-half mile and includes a 157-stair climb. WARNING: Western gulls nest on Anacapa Island From April through mid-August. During this time, visitors will encounter seabird rookery conditions: guano, strong odor, constant noise, bird carcasses, and birds protecting their territory.","url":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/anacapa-island/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70984","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232502","sites":7},{"name":"Scorpion Canyon Campground","description":"Primitive camping is available (25 individual sites at $15 per night-per site and 6 group sites at $40 per night-per site; reservations required). Picnic table, food storage box, potable water, and pit toilet are provided. Distance from landing to campground is one-half mile.","url":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/santa-cruz-scorpion/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70980","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232498","sites":31},{"name":"Del Norte Backcountry Campground","description":"The Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry Campground is currently the only backcountry campground on Santa Cruz Island. The hike to the campground is 3.5 miles from Prisoners Harbor and 12 miles from Scorpion Anchorage. It has four primitive campsites (four persons per site) and users must camp within these designated sites.Reservations are required ($15 per night-per site). A picnic table, food storage box, and pit-style toilet are provided (campers must bring their own toilet paper).","url":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/santa-cruz-del-norte-backcountry/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70981","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232499","sites":4},{"name":"Water Canyon Campground","description":"Primitive camping is available (15 sites; $15 per night per site; reservations required). Wind shelter, picnic table, food storage box, toilet, and potable water are provided. Distance from landing to campground is 1.5 miles from the pier and .25 miles from the airstrip.","url":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/santa-rosa-island/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70979","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232497","sites":15},{"name":"Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping","description":"Backcountry camping on Santa Rosa Island is currently limited to certain beaches between August 15th and December 31st. Hiking is along the beach and rugged, unsigned (and sometimes unmaintained) dirt roads. The closest beach for camping is 8 miles from the boat/plane drop-off location. Reservations are required ($10 per night-per site). No services are provided.This is primitive, dispersed, backcountry camping. Visitors must backpack to all locations and carry all of their own gear, food and water.","url":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/santa-rosa-island-backcountry-beach-camping/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=1","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/261700","sites":30},{"name":"San Miguel Island Campground","description":"Primitive camping is available (nine sites; $15 per night per site; reservations required). Wind shelter, picnic table, food storage box, and pit toilet are provided. No water is available. Distance from landing to campground is one mile up a steep canyon (400 ft. climb).","url":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/san-miguel-island/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70983","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232501","sites":9},{"name":"Santa Barbara Island Campground","description":"Primitive camping is available (seven sites; $15 per night per site; reservations required). Picnic table, food storage box, and pit toilet are provided. No water is available. Distance from landing to campground is one-quarter mile and includes a steep climb.","url":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/santa-barbara-island/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70982","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232500","sites":10}],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"los-padres-national-forest","km":93},{"slug":"santa-monica-mountains-national-recreation-area","km":106},{"slug":"hopper-mountain-national-wildlife-refuge","km":110},{"slug":"bitter-creek-national-wildlife-refuge","km":116},{"slug":"carrizo-plain-national-monument","km":126},{"slug":"guadalupe-nipomo-dunes-national-wildlife-refuge","km":131}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=chis"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.609Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Park Closure","title":"Parts of Santa Rosa Island Closed During Wildfire Recovery","text":"Burned areas on Santa Rosa Island remain closed. Backcountry beach camping in Southeast Quadrant will remain closed for the remainder of the 2026 recreation season. Click the more link for additional information.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/santa-rosa-island-fire-recovery.htm","updated":"2026-10-14 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-C09D6CAE-1916-4981-B9C2-6AD984FCDD60"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Santa Barbara Island Dock Closed; Landings Restricted to Adjacent Rocky Ledge","text":"Santa Barbara Island is open to public access, but landings are restricted to the rocky ledge adjacent to the dock. The dock is closed and is not expected to be repaired in the near future due to the severe winter storm damage.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/conditions.htm","updated":"2018-01-23 14:42:10.0","id":"nps-D992F239-4C85-45CE-B471-5107FEC177B2"},{"source":"NWS","kind":"Small Craft Advisory","severity":"Minor","title":"Small Craft Advisory issued November 8 at 2:51PM PST until November 10 at 3:00AM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA","text":"* WHAT...Hazardous sea conditions.\n\n* WHERE...Portions of the coastal waters of southwest\nCalifornia.\n\n* WHEN...Until 3 AM PST Tuesday.\n\n* IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.\n\n* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...See the Coastal Waters Forecast (CWFLOX)\nfor more.","instruction":"Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller\nvessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.","url":"https://alerts.weather.gov/search?id=urn%3Aoid%3A2.49.0.1.840.0.4983a20e4b99648606ba1a36f20e817653e342c2.001.1","starts":"2026-11-08T14:51:00-08:00","ends":"2026-11-10T03:00:00-08:00","id":"nws-urn:oid:2.49.0.1.840.0.4983a20e4b99648606ba1a36f20e817653e342c2.001.1"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/channel-islands-national-park/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/channel-islands-national-park.geojson"}