Channel Islands National Park

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-19 to 2026-12-13; community-mapped.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Visitor center.

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.

At the park

• Visitor center exhibit
• Camping activity
• Hiking trails trail

Events

• Guided Hikes on the Islands 10:00 AM–11:00 AM · Park Islands
• California Coastal Cleanup Day
• Native Plant Sale 09:00 AM–01:00 PM · Follow signs to the amphitheater behind the mainland visitor center in Ventura Harbor.

Before you go

Getting there

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.

Weather & when to go

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

History

Opened

1980

• Park opened