Going to Channel Islands National Park

What to do in Channel Islands National Park

by Meagan Francis

Channel Islands National Park is located off the coast of southern California and is comprised of five islands: Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara. The least visited of all of the national parks in the United States, the Channel Islands are a diverse ecosystem boasting marine mammals, plants, seabirds, and other wildlife—145 species are found nowhere else on Earth.

Getting to the islands takes some planning, as access is limited in order to maintain low numbers of visitors. Anacapa, the closest island to the mainland, is still about an hour’s travel by boat. Because of the relatively light visitation to the islands, they continue to retain an unspoiled feeling.

The islands are rustic. You won’t see any hotels, towns, or shops—instead, nature rules here. Even the...

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