National Park · CA
Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands is quietest in January and February and busiest in July.
Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources. Isolation over thousands of years has created unique animals, plants, and archeological resources found nowhere else on Earth and helped preserve a place where visitors can experience coastal southern California as it once was.
273K recreation visits a year on average (2023–2025)
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Oct 2026 · alerts checked Oct 13, 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Pick a month to visit Channel Islands
This week
7-day forecast
| Day | Conditions | High | Low | Precip chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 13 | Clear | 69°F | 64°F | 0% |
| Wed 14 | Clear | 70°F | 69°F | 0% |
| Thu 15 | Clear | 76°F | 67°F | 0% |
| Fri 16 | Clear | 78°F | 71°F | 0% |
| Sat 17 | Clear | 75°F | 69°F | 0% |
| Sun 18 | Partly cloudy | 72°F | 65°F | 0% |
| Mon 19 | Overcast | 66°F | 63°F | 0% |
Forecast data by Open-Meteo
Source: Open-Meteo
Weather
Monthly climate normals
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 64°F | 43°F | 4.7" |
| February | 62°F | 44°F | 4.3" |
| March | 65°F | 46°F | 3.3" |
| April | 65°F | 48°F | 1.0" |
| May | 68°F | 51°F | 0.5" |
| June | 68°F | 54°F | 0.1" |
| July | 71°F | 57°F | 0.1" |
| August | 72°F | 57°F | 0.0" |
| September | 71°F | 56°F | 0.1" |
| October | 72°F | 51°F | 0.8" |
| November | 68°F | 46°F | 1.2" |
| December | 63°F | 42°F | 2.8" |
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, SANTA BARBARA 11 W, CA US
Know before you go
Fees & hours
- Entrance fee
- Free — Free entrance
- Hours
- The park is open 24 hours a day. Services and facilities have separate hours. Please see descriptions of those facilities elsewhere.
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Current alerts
- Information
Santa Barbara Island Dock Closed; Landings Restricted to Adjacent Rocky Ledge
Santa Barbara Island is open to public access, but landings are restricted to the rocky ledge adjacent to the dock. The dock is closed and is not expected to be repaired in the near future due to the severe winter storm damage.
Details on nps.gov → - Park Closure
Parts of Santa Rosa Island Closed During Wildfire Recovery
Santa Rosa Island is open to limited day use. Burned areas remain closed and overnight use is prohibited. Water Canyon Campground is currently closed, but will reopen October 14, as will backcountry beach camping in northwest and southwest quadrants. Click the more link for additional information.
Details on nps.gov →
Source: NPS Data API
FAQ
Channel Islands questions
When is the best time to visit Channel Islands?
Channel Islands is least crowded in January, February, and December. July is the busiest month, so visiting outside it means thinner crowds and easier parking.
How much does it cost to visit Channel Islands?
Entry to Channel Islands is free.
When is Channel Islands busiest?
Channel Islands is busiest in July, when crowds rate 10/10 (peak). Expect full parking lots and longer waits; arrive early or choose a quieter month.
How crowded is Channel Islands during holidays and fee-free days?
Holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July) and official NPS fee-free days typically bring peak crowd conditions to Channel Islands. Arrive before 8 AM or after 3 PM to secure parking and avoid peak trail congestion.