Epic Family Friendly Channel Islands National Park Itinerary: Visiting the 5 channel islands with kids

Looking for the best Channel Islands National Park Itinerary for families? We’ve got you covered with all the logistical details and top things to do on Channel Islands with kids.

Channel Islands National Park was at the top of my bucket list for YEARS! I had heard it was just so breathtakingly unique, and as an ocean girl, I had eyed sea cave kayaking there for longer than I could remember.

When we decided to road trip through all nine California National Parks, I obviously was most looking forward to Channel Islands.

As a remote park with zero amenities, though, I was curious though if visiting Channel Islands National Park with kids was possible or recommended. Then I remembered we’re an adventure family who really doesn’t believe that most things aren’t kid friendly.

So, after visiting with our kids and having the absolute time of our lives, here’s what you need to know about visiting Channel Islands with kids. Keep reading for our Channel Islands National Park itinerary that will help you plan an epic trip, too!

Info About Channel Islands National Park

The first thing to know about the California Channel Islands is that there are actually eight islands and five of them (and the surrounding ocean) are what makes up Channel Islands National Park: Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara.

The most popular and easily accessible islands are Santa Cruz and Anacapa, though all five permit visitors. Whale watching and ocean tours are popular, as well.

Channel Islands National Park is a perfect trip for anyone that wants to immerse themselves into coastal nature. Think, waves crashing against sculpted away cliffs, sea cave kayaking, windy hikes to epic viewpoints, and salty ocean air. Channel Islands is truly unlike any other National Park!

Channel Islands National Park sign with kids — *Visiting Channel Islands National Park with kids was a blast!*

Facts About Channel Islands

The Channel Islands are an eight island archipelago in the Pacific Ocean that define the Santa Barbara Channel. Five of them comprise the National Park: Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara. The only inhabited island is Catalina Island (not part of the National Park)
The Channel Islands are made of sedimentary rock and lie on top of the eastern margin of the Pacific tectonic plate. It is likely the platform of the islands were above sea level for some time, and quickly eroded. About five million years ago, tectonic forced uplifted the area above sea level.
The islands and surrounding waters are home to many endemic species, including a rare subspecies of the Torrey Pine.
Kelp Forests forests surround the islands and provide a home, protection, and sustenance for many of the island’s species.
There is evidence that the northern Channel Islands were occupied by humans 8,000 – 11,000 years ago, primarily the Chumash and Tongva Native Tribes.
Europeans reached the islands in the 16th century. By the 19th century, the islands were home to sheep and cattle ranches, and aggressively harvested for fish and marine mammals.
During prohibition, the islands were popular grounds for smuggling.
Channel Islands National Monument is established in 1938 and expanded in1947 to include waters.
Channel Islands National Park and Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary are designated in 1980.
After a tumultuous history, significant conservation efforts are underway to protect the island’s terrestrial and marine life: there are now thirteen Marine Protected Areas around the five islands of Channel Islands National Park.

Fees for Channel Islands National Park:

There is no entrance fee for Channel Islands National Park. That said, unless you can anchor your own vessel, you’ll need to pay for the ferry trip to the islands.
An annual NPS pass is $80 and while it is not needed for Channel Islands, if you plan to visit surrounding parks, it may be worth it.

Getting to Channel Islands National Park:

The Channel Islands are only accessible by National Park concessionaire boats via Island Packers or private boat.

It is very, very likely that your Channel Islands National Park itinerary will begin with the Island Packers ferry, so be sure to check availability and reservations in advance. Most Island Packers ferries depart from Ventura Harbor, though a small number of trips are available from the Oxnard satellite office.

Island Packers ferry to Santa Cruz Island — *Since Channel Islands is only accessible by boat, you’ll likely take the ferry with Island Packers, the only authorized NPS Concessioner on the island.*

Anacapa Island

Frequency of Trips: Year round, 3-7 days per week
Travel Time from Ventura : 1 hour

Santa Cruz Island

Frequency of Trips: Year round, 5-7 days per week
Travel Time from Ventura: 1 hour

Santa Rosa Island

Frequency: April through early November, 2-4 days per week.
Travel Time from Ventura: 3 hours

San Miguel Island

Frequency: April through early November, 4-8 days per month
Travel Time from Ventura: 4 hours
Note: Boat visitors are skiffed onto the beach; be prepared to get wet.

Santa Barbara Island

Frequency : Spring through Fall, 2-4 days per month
Travel Time from Ventura: 3 hour
Note: When the pier is closed, landings are via skiff onto the rocks.
Note: Due to dock damage at Santa Barbara Island, Island Packers is not currently running trips to the island.

The mainland Visitor’s Centers for Channel Islands are located in Santa Barbara and Venture, and are easily accessible by car.

Ventura: 1901 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura, CA 93001
Santa Barbara: 113 Harbor Way 4th Floor, Santa Barbara, CA 93109

Best time to visit Channel Islands National Park with Kids

The most popular time to visit Channel Islands National Park is between June and August. If you’re visiting Channel Islands with kids, this perfectly falls during summer break and makes for an amazing summer family vacation!

Summer is ideal for water sports, like swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. This is also when the most ferries are available. Spring welcomes wildflower blooms and bird migrations, while fall can also be a great time to head out on the water. Winter, while cold, boats the most gorgeous sunsets.

However you decide to plan your Channel Islands National Park itinerary, check out the unique offerings of each season and climate via the NPS.

How Long do You Need to Explore Channel Islands With Kids

How long you need, depends on how many islands you want to add to your Channel Islands National Park itinerary, and what activities you’re planning.

Many families choose to take a day trip or spend one or two overnights camping. Inter-island ferries are ONLY available for campers, so keep in mind that visiting multiple islands requires staying overnight or departing to and from Ventura (and paying for tickets) multiple times.

Given all of this information, if you’re visiting Channel Islands National Park with kids, we suggest a day trip or an overnight for your first visit. This will enable you to hike on the island, take a kayak or whale watching tour, explore a bit more of the island, and camp if you choose too to add on more exploring!

Where to stay On channel islands with kids

There is NO lodging on any of the Channel Islands. Primitive camping is available on each island, year round. Keep in mind, you must bring everything with you, including all food and water.

Each island has one established campground; reservations can be reserved six months out on recreation.gov. Campsites are $15 per night.

Where to camp on channel islands

Anacapa Island Campground: 7 sites, food lockers, picnic tables, pit toilets, no potable water
Santa Cruz Island ,Scorpion Canyon Campground: 25 individual sites and 6 group sites, food lockers, picnic tables, pit toilets, potable water
Santa Rosa Island Campground: 15 sites, wind shelters, food lockers, picnic tables, pit toilets, potable water
San Miguel Island Campground: 9 sites, wind shelters, food lockers, picnic tables, pit toilets, no potable water
Santa Barbara Island Campground: 7 sites, food lockers, picnic tables, pit toilets, no potable water

Though camping on the Channel Islands is available year round, always check for availability, closures, and ferry scheules.

Where to Stay Outside Channel Islands National Park

You may not want to camp during your trip to Channel Islands National Park with kids. We get it…it’s a lot to pack and plan for!

We suggest staying in or around Ventura for easy access to the Island Packers ferry. With an early morning departure, staying close leaves less room for variables associated with traveling with kiddos!

What to pack for Channel Islands National Park with Kids

In addition to safety gear, hiking essentials, camping equipment if needed, we suggest planning to get wet.

Bathing suits, extra sets of clothing, towels, sand toys, etc, will all make your Channel Islands National Park itinerary way more fun and seamless.

arriving to Channel Islands — *When you arrive on Channel Islands, you’ll need to have brought with you everything you’ll need, includig gear, water, and food. There are no facilities on the island.*

Hiking Gear

We always carry the ten essentials: a basic first aid kit, navigation, a knife, fire starter, headlamps, sun protection, an emergency blanket, extra food, extra water, and extra clothes (especially socks!) in a day pack.
GPS: we use AllTrails offline maps (subscription required) with a solar powered charger or power bank for our phones. If you’re hiking remotely, a GPS with an SOS like the Garmin In Reach Mini is key.
Our Osprey Poco Plus child carrier – great for kid carrying six months and up.
Trekking Poles – help with stability and weight distribution, especially if kid carrying.
Quality hiking shoes for kids and hiking boots for adults.

Camping Gear:

Tent: we have the REI coop 4 person backpacking tent and love it
Sleeping pads: we have two of these queen size ultra light sleeping pads
Sleeping bags: we use the 40 degree Kelty Mistral (it’s the budget one!) and our kids use these inexpensive Coleman 50 degree.
Light: Black Diamond tent lantern light
Cooking: Jet Boil Flash Cooking System

Best Things to do On Channel Islands with Kids

Hiking Channel Islands with Kids

No Channel Islands National Park Itinerary is complete without hiking amongst gorgeous wildflowers, sweeping vistas, and sandy hills.

Hiking with kids is relative: consider the age and capabilities of your own children. We tend to prioritize shorter but more interesting and moderately rated hikes.

Cavern Point hike in Channel Islands — *Cavern Point Hike on Santa Cruz Island.*