Best trails in Channel Islands National Park
Five of the eight Channel Islands are protected, and half of the park's area is underwater. They are home to over 2,000 species of land plants and animals, and 145 are unique to the islands. The islands were originally settled by the Chumash people, and there is a unique Mediterranean ecosystem.
Commercial boats and planes are used to access the park. Please contact those services directly to ask about accessibility. All of the islands are remote with rugged terrain.
Top picks recommended by trailgoers
Visitor info
No entrance fee or pass is required.
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
Channel Islands National Park does not charge an entrance fee, but the Interagency Access Pass allows pass holders to receive a 50% discount on other park amenities, such as camping.
The Mainland Visitor Center and Contact Station are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers, and wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains are available. Orientation films include open captioning.
The islands are remote, with rugged terrain, and the park website states they are not "readily accessible" for those with limited mobility. The only way to access this cliff-island park is via commercial boat or plane. Please contact those services directly to ask about accessibility.
Assistive listening devices and tactile exhibits are available.
Additional information about accessibility at Channel Islands National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
The Mainland Visitor Center and Contact Station are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers, and wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains are available. Orientation films include open captioning.
Santa Cruz Island: At Scorpion Anchorage, offloading from the boat is via an adjustable platform to a pier and a ramp up the pair. At Prisoner’s Harbor, offloading from the boat is done via a ladder to a pier. Staff is available to assist passengers on and off the boat. A beach wheelchair is available at Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoner's Harbor. Please call 805-658-5730 or email chis_information@nps.gov in advance to make a reservation for equipment.
Santa Rosa Island: Offloading from the boat is done via a ladder to a pier at Santa Rosa Island. Staff is available to assist passengers on and off the boat. A beach wheelchair is available, and requests can be made for a vehicle tour. Please call 805-658-5730 or email chis_information@nps.gov to make a reservation for equipment or a tour.
The Santa Cruz Island Picnic Area, Santa Rosa Island Picnic Area, and Santa Barbara Island Picnic Area are wheelchair accessible with packed, level paths and surfaces.
There are accessible restrooms at the following trailheads: Santa Cruz Island Visitor Center and Santa Rosa Island Ranch House.
The Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Island Campgrounds have level wheelchair accessible camping sites and wheelchair accessible picnic tables. Staff is available to help access the campsites, but contact the visitor center beforehand to arrange assistance.
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park and must have a health screening before visiting the islands. Visit the park website to find the protocol for the service animal health screening.
Trail reviews for Channel Islands National Park
This is the most popular trail on Santa Cruz Island at Channel Islands National Park. We went last Aunday after taking the ferry with Island packers and it wasn’t crowded at all. There were a few people hiking and at the viewpoint at the end but it felt very peaceful and rural to us. There are beautiful yellow wildflowers along the trail and pretty ravens. We didn’t see any island foxes but could see dolphins in the distance and a bunch of sea lions near the cave at the viewpoint. This is a beautiful peaceful trail, although you are hiking up it doesn’t feel difficult at all, I would rate as easy to moderate. Not rocky and no scrambling only thing that is a little annoying is your shoes will get muddy toward the top and even feel heavy and chunky from all the stuck mud on the trail but it’s not deep and you can just kick off the chunks of mud because it dries quickly. Don’t wear your best shoes, I wore old Nikes and was fine. It sprinkled on the island slightly and was chilly so I was glad to be wearing layers and a wind breaker. I document my hikes well on my IG kaylasquests
This trail is incredible, I would say this is a strenuous hike. I recommend bringing hiking poles because the inclines can be slippery and hiking poles would help. There are 2 steep inclines on this hike - be prepared especially if you are hiking in the sun because there is no shade coverage. I highly recommend starting while there is a marine layer so that it is overcast. Smugglers Cove is a beautiful beach - bring water shoes, lunch, lots of water, sunscreen, swimsuit and a towel. Keep in mind you'll be carrying everything for the full hike so I would not recommend bringing chairs or anything heavy. There are picnic tables, tree stumps & rocks you can sit on. This was my favorite hike of the trip. There is also a Channel Islands NPS sign on the beach. Smugglers Cove is absolutely stunning & a must see if you are able to make the hike.
My watch ended up dying so the activity got messed up, but this route was pretty good since it covered most of the big viewpoints First time at Channel Islands NP, definitely be prepared to hike. Once you get off the ferry and leave the beginning area, there’s pretty much just trails and nothing else. Was pretty sunny but also a nice breeze at times, definitely bring layers since weather is fluid. Also make sure to bring plenty of water and food too! There were some 2-3 foxes at the beach/NP sign, definitely check them out. They kinda don’t really even notice you and are just too busy trying to find food. Super cute
Great trail, first time in Channel Islands. Stuff I wish I knew: you can bring coolers/ lunch stuff and put into animal lockers they have near where the boat lets off so you can hike all day and come back to it. There are bathrooms at the dock and in the campground. It was warm enough to swim so you should bring a swimsuit! And the beach is rocky - so might be nice to have water shoes or flip flops plus your hiking boots (trail is rocky but well maintained). The trail is fully exposed with no trees and on the cliff side most of the time so not for those afraid of edges.
Absolutely beautiful trail, was the only one on most of it. Love Channel Islands