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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 Jul 2026 · alerts checked Jul 10, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 27 | Overcast | 72°F | 70°F | 4% |
| Fri 28 | Overcast | 71°F | 69°F | 3% |
| Sat 29 | Clear | 69°F | 66°F | 0% |
| Sun 30 | Clear | 69°F | 65°F | 0% |
| Mon 31 | Clear | 67°F | 64°F | 1% |
| Tue 1 | Overcast | 72°F | 65°F | 28% |
| Wed 2 | Overcast | 69°F | 66°F | 21% |
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 reopens to limited day use on July 1. No overnight visits are allowed. Burned areas, including Water Canyon Campground, remain closed through at least August 13. 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.