A recent trip to Channel Islands National Park proved that its little-known islands off the coast of Los Angeles are full of rugged adventures and surprises. Spoiler alert: There are adorable native island foxes everywhere.
A rain-soaked note on our picnic table read: “Attention Campers: The storm heading our way is looking more hazardous now. Due to the extreme wind gusts, rainfall, and swells expected, the ferry will not likely run tomorrow or even the next day. The last ferry off the island leaves today at 3:30 p.m. If you are unable to catch this ferry, find the ranger to bunk up with and he should be able to supply you with extra food if needed.”
Editor’s note: This article is part of our #NationalParksFieldTrip series, written by GearJunkie editor Kyle Nossaman as he and his wife visit national parks during a full year on the road.
My wife and I were spending a few days in Channel Islands National Park on Santa Cruz Island, 12 miles off the California coast. We’d planned for a lovely three-day island getaway complete with reading on the beach, kayaking in sea caves, and snorkeling alongside brightly colored fish. We suspected that hiking to cliffsides and camping under the stars were, unfortunately, vetoed by Mother Nature’s plans.
That said, our short time exploring the little-known national park a few miles west of Los Angeles surprised us with its abundance of remote adventure, untouched beauty, and powerful forces of nature.
A National Park of Islands
Half of Channel Islands National Park is under the waters of the Pacific Ocean. The other half consists of five mostly undeveloped islands. The only way to access each of the islands is via a reserved ferry, seaplane, or private boat. Each island has an established campground (reservations required), but no trash containers are provided and water is not available on three of the five islands. Popular activities include hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, and even surfing.
Santa Cruz Island is the largest island and usually the cheapest to access. We decided it would be a great choice for our three-day stay in late November and reserved our ferry ride ($158 total for two camper tickets) and campsite ($30 for two nights) online.
Ferrying From City to Wilderness
At 9:00 a.m. on Day One, we boarded the Island Packers ferry to Santa Cruz Island from the Ventura, Calif., harbor. We each carried a big backpack with our camping gear, food, and even our two-person packraft. We were joined by a local school group of about 30 people who, like most visitors, had plans for a short day trip before returning that afternoon. Only one other group of three people had plans for an overnight stay.


Sea Kayaking Into Caves


Off-Trail Exploration


Island Evacuation
