Plan Like a Park Ranger: Top 10 Things to Know Before You Go

NPS

1. Plan ahead.

A visit to the Channel Islands is an exercise in preparation and self-reliance. Read through our extensive Plan Your Visit webpages to plan your trip in advance. The islands are very different from each other, offering unique experiences. To help you decide, please visit Places To Go for a description of each island and Things To Do for a list of activities in the park.

2. Book your transportation and campsites in advance.

While the mainland visitor center in Ventura is readily accessible by car or public transportation, the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats (Island Packers) and planes (Channel Islands Aviation) or private boat and reservations must be made in advance. Learn more at Island Transportation. Advanced camping reservations are also required for all of the park’s campgrounds.

3. Services are limited.

All services (including food, cell, and emergency services) are extremely limited or non-existent on the islands. As stated above, a visit to the Channel Islands is an exercise in preparation and self-reliance. Advanced planning will ensure a positive and safe experience in the park. Learn more at Good & Services.

4. Use our mobile app to enhance your experience.

Download the free NPS Channel Islands app (and offline content) before you depart the mainland.

5. Use our calendar to learn about scheduled programs and events.

The park Calendar shows upcoming, scheduled events in the park.

6. Ensure a safe visit.

Due to the remote and primitive nature of the islands, a safe visit to the park depends on visitors assuming individual responsibility for planning their trips and recreating safely. Learn more at Safety.

7. Pets are only allowed outside the mainland visitor center.

Pets are not allowed inside the visitor center or on the islands. Service animals are allowed inside the visitor center and are allowed on the island once they have satisfied a protocol of vaccination, parasite prevention, and health exam to ensure they will not compromise the health of island species. Visit Pets and Service Animals for more information.

8. Channel Islands welcomes visitors with disabilities.

The National Park Service welcomes people with disabilities and strives to make Channel Islands National Park as universally accessible as possible. However, extra obstacles will be encountered because of the remote nature of this special place. Learn more at Accessibility.

9. Help protect your park.

The protection and preservation of your park's biological, cultural, and historical resources is a major mission of the National Park Service. Help us protect the Channel Islands by following the park’s regulations and guidelines. Learn more at Limiting Your Impact.

10. Contact us for more information.

A ranger is just a click or phone call away. Visit Contact Us for more information.

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