What is Channel Islands National Park Famous For?
Channel Islands National Park is a combination of 5 tectonically formed islands and surrounded by a most impressive extensive marine sanctuary and park. National Park includes Islands such as Ancapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara and many other wildlife’s including endemic species like island foxes, skunks, and lizards.
Channel Islands National Park located off the coast of California, United States, offers the most stunning natural beauty, diverse ecosystems and rich cultural history. Since it is the most scenic and mesmerising natural landmark, place witnesses coastal landscapes, rugged cliffs, clear waters and diverse marine life’s. Therefore some of the greatest adventurous activities visitors can expect here in national parks like hiking, camping, and kayaking and wildlife observation.
Related Search: White Sands National Park.
History of Channel Islands National Park
Before going to experience Channel Islands National Park’s rich natural beauty and adventurous activities, it is very important to understand when the national park started and how it evolved.
History of Channel Islands National Park, is marked by both Indigenous and European influencers. According to archaeological evidence, the national park was formed around 13,000 years ago and during the same time human presence was witnessed.
Indigenous peoples such as Chumash and Tongva are the initial tribes that settled there along with also inhabited the islands for thousands of years. These indigenous peoples are mostly involved in hunting animals and mostly relying on islands rich marine resources and local environments for daily life.
During the early 16th century Europeans started to reach this island, from one of the famous explorers named Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. And slightly they began to shift this barren island into more prosperous agricultural land over a period of time. In the mid-19th century, Channel Islands became an ideal place for military bases (World War II military base) along with agriculture and ranching.
One of the interesting things we found while discussing history Channel Island is, oldest human remains found here likely an ancestor of the Chumash. Chumash, is an indigenous people who lived in this island and later they forcefully shifted to the mainland during Spanish attacks in 1820.
Until 1980, Channel Islands never got any national park status. But in 1980 in order to protect the islands unique ecological and cultural resources and natural beauty to the upcoming generations, the islands were recognised as the “Channel Islands National Park”.
Today national parks play a very crucial role when it comes to preservation of conservation and ecosystem of the national park. However, the park also remains the centre of the Chamash creation story, told to visitors by crackling campfires.
Top 5 Things to Do in Channel Islands National Park
1. Camping
Camping is the first and foremost thing which every visitor should do in this island national park. Camping available to us in every 5 islands with service managed campgrounds. At present there is only one well-structured and managed campground available on each island. Remember there is no camping is allowed on the nature conservancy western 76% of Santa Cruz Island.
Each campground involves prior reservation (6 months in advance) and a reservation fee is charged for camping on the island’s basis. Normally $15 entry fee for night per site with the inclusion of both national park services. If you want more information about camping reservation, fee, facilities and campgrounds refer to Recreation.gov.
2. Visit Painted Cave
One of the unique spots under Channel Islands National Park, where visitors can take a peek inside of the largest sea caves on the planet. Located near the western end of the island known as the largest cave in California. 1227 feet long, considered as the 4th largest sea cave by length. Painted caves color is naturally occurring by the various rock types, lichens and algae. Despite its color, the cave is home to a variety of sea species like Barbour seals, sea lions, marine organisms and other bird species.
3. Kayaking
Kayaking is the well-known travel activity due to Channel Islands National Park’s unique and most mesmerising travel atmospheres and crystal clear water. Kayaking exhibits islands some of the rarest sections and most unknown places like painted caves. Due to the most versatile weather conditions and dangerous sea caves, kayaking is a slightly riskier activity. So, it is recommended to do it with authorised guides.
4. Watch Island Fox
The Island fox is the most special and unique animal out of many wildlife species in Channel Islands National Park. Foxes live 6 feet in height and are found nowhere else on Earth. Fox here in the island is recognised as a separate endemic and unique subspecies in nature. Usually foxes are found in gray color on the mainland of the island. In recent times 4 island fox subspecies underwent catastrophic declines in the 1990s.
5. Visit Seabird Nesting Colony
The channel Island is home to many seabirds and shorebird habitants, providing important nesting and feeding grounds of 99% of seabirds to southern California. Almost 12 different sorts of seabird species are available under marine resources and offshore islands, like willets, snowy plovers, wandering lattlers, whimbrels and black turnstones are more popular. Despite the seabird, around 30 shorebird species are also available to spot to visitors.
Channel Islands National Park Animals
Animals in Channel Islands National Park are totally unique and not available to see anywhere in the world. Animals like island Fox are more popular here. Foxes live 6 feet in height and are found nowhere else on Earth. Fox here in the island is recognised as a separate endemic and unique subspecies in nature.
Likewise other Terrestrial Animals such as Island Spotted Skunk, Island Deer Mouse, Western Harvest Mouse, Island Night Lizard, Fence Lizard, Southern Alligator Lizard, Side Blotched Lizard, Santa Cruz Island Gopher Snake and Western Yellow bellied Racer are more popular here.
Island is home to the vibrant marine animals such as California Sea Lion, Harbour Seal, Northern Fur Seal, Sea Otter, Common Dolphin, Gray Whale, Bottlenose Dolphin, Blue Whale, Garibaldi and Sunflower Star.
Channel Island is recognised as an important destination for a variety of landbird, shorebirds and seabirds. Landbirds such as Bald Eagle, Bewick’s Wren, Channel Islands Song Sparrow, Golden Eagle, Horned Lark and House Finch and many more. Along with seabirds and shorebirds are available to watch such as, Ashy Storm Petrel, California Brown Pelican, Cassin’s Aucklet, Brandt’s Cormorant, Pigeon Guillemot, Common Murre, Western Gull, Snowy Plover and Black Oystercatcher are more popular.
Read More: Top 10 Things to Do in San Diego, California.
Channel Islands National Park Size
Channel Islands National Park spans 2, 49,561 acres or 100,994 hectares of land. Size of the park includes 5 islands and its surrounding marine waters, both land and sea.
Under 2, 49,561 acres of land, 79,019 acres share the federal land, and the rest of the total share goes to the islands.
Channel Islands National Park City
Channel Islands National Park is located just 25 miles away from the coast of Ventura and Santa Barbara of California, United States.
Channel Islands National Park Tickets
Same like many other national parks in the U.S, entrance fee or Ticket prices are offered based on the annual pass to the general citizen and some exceptions for military and senior citizens. National Park Service and Recreation.gov is the single platform to get any sorts of passes and information’s to visit multiple national parks in the country including Channel Islands National Park.
Types of Passes Available in Channel Islands National Park
- Annual Pass: $80
- Annual Military Pass: Free (available to current US military members and their dependents).
- Lifetime Military Pass: Free (available to gold star families and US military veterans).
- Annual Senior Pass: $20
- Lifetime Senior Pass: $80
- Lifetime Access Pass: Free
Note: Make sure that ticket prices are subject to change so it is very important to visit the national parks official website before planning a trip.
Channel Islands National Park Best Time to Visit
Visiting Channel Islands National Park is really a puzzle game until or unless you do not understand its weather conditions. This national park is a more ideal place in California to visit through the park. Visiting national parks can be bifurcated on the basis of its seasons.
1. Spring Season
During spring months (usually starts from late January to March) national park is blessed with green and wildflower blooms. This period is also witnessing normal annual rainfall and blossoms of brilliant yellow coreopsis flowers.
2. Summer Season
Well known season for adventurous seekers who wish to indulge in the activities such as sailing, snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking and swimming. Despite that, the season is also an ideal time to watch blue and humpback whales and some of the vegetation such as gumplant, buckwheat and poppies. Summer season starts from June to August.
3. Winter Season
Starting from the end of December and the last week of April, winter season normally offers visitors perfect sunset views and some of the blooming of wildflowers. Season also helps us to feel close up feelings of Gray Whale and northern elephant seals.
4. Fall Season
Well known season for making some of the rated water activities such as snorkelling, kayaking, diving and swimming in Channel Islands National park. Season help us to dive in the water with its ideal water temperature of 70℉ in early fall. Despite that, Blue and humpback whale watching and migrating birds are also possible during fall season.
Channel Islands National Park Map
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