Channel Islands National Park

A cool experience with 6 to 10 mile hikes
Driving to and sleeping at a campground
Ideal for first-timers
Perfect for families with young kiddos

Sea cave kayaking at Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park

Sea cave kayaking at Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park

Sea cave kayaking at Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park

Sea cave kayaking at Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park

Designed by
Yvonne Leow
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Last updated
August 3, 2024

Trip · 3-day camping trip

For · Friends and new campers

Vibe · Moderate and fun

Reservations · Yes, reserve a site at Scorpion Campground and book a ferry ride

Drive · 1 hour drive and 1 hour ferry ride from LA

Ideal dates · June to October

Pets · Not allowed on the Channel Islands

Channel Islands National Park (CINP) has five spectacular islands: Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara. Visiting involves some ferry logistics, but don't let that deter you from having a once-in-a-lifetime California adventure. Kayak inside sea caves, watch a sweeping ocean sunset, and spot the infamous Channel Island fox in the wild.

Current Island Conditions

Official National Park Website

Directions To Ventura Harbor

Main image credit: Recreation.gov

Stuff to know

  • Buy an $84 round-trip ferry ticket via Island Packers Cruises, but time the arrival and departure dates with your camping reservation.
  • Reserve a sea cave kayaking tour through Santa Barbara Adventure Company before your trip.
  • Campfires or charcoal fires aren't allowed on Santa Cruz Island so bring a gas camp stove.
  • CINP doesn't have a park entrance fee!
  • The park does have deer mice though, which may carry hantavirus. The mice are actually kind of cute, but try not to accidentally feed them. Bring a rodent-proof container, like an Ursack, to store your food.
  • This is a "primitive" and rather remote camping trip so bring all the food and equipment you're going to need. There aren't any grocery stores on the island.
  • Weather can turn quick so pack warm layers!

Resources

Check the weather
Santa Cruz Island

Where to camp

Scorpion Canyon Campground

Each campsite comes with a:

  • Picnic table
  • Food storage locker (to help protect your food from island foxes!)
  • Space for six people and three tents
  • Shared toilets (on site)
  • Drinking water (on site)
  • No trash cans, so pack out whatever you pack in!

There are 25 campsites and 6 group campsites (for up to 15 people) at Scorpion Canyon. From Scorpion Anchorage, it's a flat 0.5 mile hike to reach the campground. AdorableChannel Islands foxes like to show up around camp, but please don't feed them! There are restrooms and drinking water at camp, but no sinks. Bring your own H20 for washing dishes and filling up water bottles. Campfires aren't allowed (cuz' who wants to start a wildfire on an island?), but that's a reason to enjoy the serenity and starry skies of island life.

Nightly rate: $40

Scorpion Canyon Campground
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Itinerary

Day One

Island Packers Ferry Boat
Island Packers Ferry. Credit: Doug Mangum

Drive to Island Packers Cruises in Ventura Harbor

  • Located at 1691 Spinnaker Drive #105B in Ventura
  • Free overnight parking is included with your ferry reservation
  • Protip: Book an afternoon ferry to dodge the day visitors taking the morning ferries!

Watch out for dolphins and whales during the ferry ride

  • It's about an hour-long ferry ride to Santa Cruz Island
  • Keep your eyes peeled for humpback, grey, or even blue whales!

Trek to Scorpion Canyon Campground and set up camp

  • It's an easy 0.5 mile hike from the harbor
  • Take a portable wagon with you to make the trek easier
  • Prep dinner and explore the campground

Sunset hike to Potato Harbor

  • This is a 3.2 mile out and back trail with 300 feet of elevation
  • Bring a daypack with a jacket, camp chair, and your headlamp
Sunset at Channel Islands National Park
Sunset at Channel Islands National Park. Credit: Anuja Shukla

Return to camp

  • Spend the rest of the night stargazing and swapping stories
CINP features five islands, but there are actually eight channel islands off the coast of California. Santa Cruz Island is the largest of them all.

Day Two

Sunrise at Santa Cruz Island
Sunrise at Santa Cruz Island. Credit: Yvonne Leow

Cook up brekkie and coffee

Hike to Smuggler's Cove

  • It's about a 1.7 mile out and back hike from camp to Cavern Point Overlook to watch the sunrise
  • Pack a daypack with snacks, lunch to-go, a jacket, plenty of water (at least 2 liters per person), sunscreen, and a picnic blanket or camp towel to relax on.
  • Enjoy lunch, the view, and relax.

Return to Scorpion Anchorage and go snorkeling

  • You can rent snorkeling gear from Santa Barbara Adventure Company for $28/day, or bring your own!

Head back to camp, clean up, and prep dinner

  • Chill and recuperate from the day
  • Enjoy dinner and games at camp
  • Spend the rest of the evening relaxing, and unwinding
For thousands of years, the northern Channel Islands were home to native Chumash communities.

Day Three

Santa Barbara Adventure Company's sea cave kayaking tour
Santa Barbara Adventure Company's sea cave kayaking tour. Credit: Wen Wang

Prep brekkie and clean up around camp

  • Take down your tent, check for litter and pack a lunch to-go

Hike back to Scorpion Anchorage and go on a sea cave kayaking tour

  • Explore the island's beautiful sea caves with the Santa Barbara Adventure Company. CIMP's caves were shaped more than 20 million years ago and Cavern Point Cave, one of the highlights, is 200+ feet deep. This three-hour morning tour costs $161 per person.
  • Pack water, snacks, and a dry bag for your phone if you want to take pictures during the kayaking ride. You're definitely going to get wet!

Enjoy a quick lunch before catching the afternoon ferry back to Ventura

  • It never hurts to be early when you're trying to catch a ferry :)

Head home

The Channel Island fox lives on six out of eight Channel Islands, and can't be found anywhere else on Earth! They're the largest of the park's native mammals, but one of the smallest canid species in the world.
June 1, 2024

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Event in 2 days

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Join Bezzi the Yeti on her first spooky camping adventure!

Shop curated gear

Everything your family needs for a fun and easy campout

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Pocket-sized UNO GO!

A classic, easy to learn game for the entire family

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Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50

It's pricey, but Supergoop! makes putting on sunscreen feel smooth and easy.

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NATPAT BuzzPatch Mosquito Patches

A cute and colorful patch that repels mosquitoes with a natural repellent.

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Vlirka VNDS Shoe Holster

A neat way to pack, carry, and organize dirty shoes.

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High Tail Hikes Brass Leash

A lightweight, easy to clean customizable leash that comes in a rainbow of colors.

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Ruffwear Basecamp™ Dog Bed

A packable, easy to clean dog bed for the great outdoors.

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Mighty Paw LED Dog Collar

A weather-resistant LED collar so your pup stays safe at night.

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PupFlask Large Dog Water Bottle

A leakproof water bottle to quench your pup's thirst.

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DOGSWELL Remedy + Recovery Bundle

Add this pup medication and liquid bandage bundle to your first aid kit.

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Radius Outfitters Large Camp Kitchen Organizer

For avid campers, this organizer will keep your kitchen utensils clean and organized.

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MyCarry Travel Potty

Bring a portable toilet to help your toddler stick to their indoor routine.

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Meal & snack ideas

It turns out everything tastes better when we're outside

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Ham and cheese campfire sandwiches

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Moroccan apple beef stew

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Apple sweet potato hash

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Banana coconut french toast

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Chicken soba noodle salad

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Apple maple sausage sandwiches

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Chicken pad thai

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Frittata

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Baked sweet potatoes and chili

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Huevos rancheros verdes

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Banana boats

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Scrambled eggs n' bacon

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