National park

Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands National Park is a national park in Santa Barbara County, California. There is no entrance fee. It is open 24 hours a day, year-round.

Current notices posted by the managing agency. Checked Sept. 30, 2026.

  • Closure: Parts of Santa Rosa Island Closed During Wildfire Recovery Santa Rosa Island is open to limited day use. Burned areas remain closed and overnight use is prohibited. Water Canyon Campground is currently closed, but will reopen October 14, as will backcountry beach camping in northwest and southwest quadrants. Click the more link for additional information. Since Sept. 22, 2026.

Check current closures and fire restrictions for Channel Islands National Park on the managing agency's own page.

Channel Islands National Park
Photo: Copernicus Sentinel-2, ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 igo

Channel Islands National Park map

Channel Islands National Park boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.

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Fire restrictions

No fire restriction recorded for this unit as of Sept. 30, 2026. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders below before you go.

Common questions

Yes. Channel Islands National Park has no entrance fee.
Yes. Channel Islands National Park is open 24 hours a day, year-round.

Fees, passes, and hours

Channel Islands National Park has no entrance fee.

Channel Islands National Park is open 24 hours a day, year-round.

Source: nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/fees, checked 2026-09-28.

Entrances and visitor centers

  • Channel Islands National Park Visitor CenterVisitor center, year-round: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.8056585730
  • Outdoors Santa Barbara Visitor CenterVisitor center, year-round: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.8058841475
  • Visitor Center Anacapa Island Visitor center, year-round: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.805-658-5730

Source: nps.gov/chis/chis_linked_data.json, checked 2026-09-28.

Trails

  • Inspiration Point(1.5 mi round trip, easy)East Anacapa overlook with extraordinary coastal views.
  • Cathedral Cove Overlook(0.6 mi round trip, easy)Overlooks Cathedral Cove rock formations on East Anacapa.
  • Anacapa Lighthouse(0.5 mi round trip, easy)Views the 1932 lighthouse, last permanent light built on the West Coast.
  • Cavern Point Loop(2 mi loop, moderate)Santa Cruz coastal vistas from Scorpion; seasonal whale viewing.
  • Potato Harbor(5 mi round trip, moderate)Longer Santa Cruz coastal overlook hike; no beach access.
  • Scorpion Canyon Loop(4.5 mi loop, moderate)Interior loop with chance to see island scrub-jay.
  • Smugglers Cove(7.5 mi round trip, strenuous)Smugglers Road to the beach; carry water.
  • Montañon Ridge Loop(10 mi loop, strenuous)Unmaintained ridge loop for experienced hikers; topographic map advised.

Source: nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/hiking, checked 2026-09-29.

What to see

  • OverlookInspiration PointSignature East Anacapa overlook on the figure-eight trail system.
  • Historic siteAnacapa LighthouseLast permanent lighthouse built on the West Coast (1932).
  • Historic siteScorpion RanchLate-1800s ranch complex with visitor exhibits at Scorpion Anchorage.
  • WildlifeIsland scrub-jayUnique jay found only on Santa Cruz Island; often sought in Scorpion Canyon.

Source: nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/hiking, checked 2026-09-29.

Public lands next to Channel Islands National Park

Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.