California Campers - Channel Islands NP question

[stumps]

I know you can do multiple day trips at Channel Islands NP.  Anyone do this or camp there?  what's the experience like?

[SterlingSue]

First of all, you can't take your pup!  We've been for a day trip and it's a nice excursion.  Haven't camped over there yet.  Island Packers is the main charter boat company to take you over.  You can check their website at www.islandpackers.com for more information.

[parrothead]

I haven't done it yet but my wife and kids went with a school trip and loved it.  Very primative and secluded.

[Unstable Tripod]

According to the park website all camping is primitive only.  No transportation allowed.  You must carry your stuff from the boat landing to the campsite and, depending on which island, that can be 1/4 to 1 full mile.  So, it looks like backpacking gear is called for here.  There is no water and no trash collection either, so your bring your own water in and your own trash out.  Check out the camping part of the website:

Channel Islands Camping

[ohrothenberg]

Never camped there, but I've done some scuba diving of the Channel Islands.  Absolutely fantastic.  My guess is the snorkeling is quite good as well.

[RangerBill]

Definitely primitive camping only.  Most folks go to Santa Rosa Island, but I would definitely check out San Miguel Island instead.  It's more difficult to get to, but there's a 16 mile round-trip hike to Point Bennett (I think that's the name.  It's only been about 20 years since I was last there).  It has one of the largest pinniped (i.e. seals) colonies in the continental United States.  It's awesome.  Literally hundreds of animals of different species (they vary depending upon the time of the year).  It was the largest concentration of wildlife I've ever seen - outside of Alaska.