Anacapa Island
Once visitors have scaled the rugged cliffs using the stairwell from the Landing Cove, they will be rewarded with a campground perched on the bluffs with magnificent coastal views. Anacapa Island, the closest Channel Island to the mainland of California, is comprised of three islets (appropriately named East, Middle, and West Anacapa Islands). Waves have eroded the volcanic island, creating towering sea cliffs, sea caves, and natural bridges, such as forty-foot-high Arch Rock -- a symbol of Anacapa and Channel Islands National Park. Exploring East Anacapa's two-mile trail system allows visitors to experience the island's native vegetation, wildlife, and cultural history.
More like this: reservable in California · tent only in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Tent-only | 14 |
| Host/management | 2 |
Site guide
7 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Island | 4 / – | No | No |
| 002 | Island | 6 / – | No | No |
| 003 | Island | 6 / – | No | No |
| 004 | Island | 6 / – | No | No |
| 005 | Island | 6 / – | No | No |
| 006 | Island | 4 / – | No | No |
| 007 | Island | 4 / – | No | No |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:01 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
A half mile hike, including 154 steps, is needed to get from the Landing Cove to the seven-site (4-6 persons per site) campground. Camping is primitive and campers must bring their own food, equipment and water. Picnic table, food storage box, and pit toilet are provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Boat transportation can be arranged with Island Packers from Ventura or Channel Islands (Oxnard) Harbors. To park headquarters in Ventura, California: Highway 101, exit Victoria or Seaward to Ventura Harbor.
| Nearest town | Ventura, California |
| Coordinates | 34.0142° N, 119.3678° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireBryson
31 mi from the campground · 200 acres · 0% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Boater's World ↗ | 14.1 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 20.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | Harder RV Storage ↗ | 37.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Anacapa Island Day Trip in Channel Islands National Park
Worth a stop
The Landing Cove near the campground is an ideal place for swimming, diving, snorkeling and kayaking, but there are no lifeguards on the island. The island is also home to just over two miles of trails that meander to dramatic overlooks and magnificent coastal views. All hikers must stay on the trails for visitor safety and to protect fragile vegetation and nesting seabirds. No off- trail hiking is allowed.
- 0.2 miVisitor Center Anacapa Island ↗Visitor center
- 11.2 miScorpion Ranch Visitor Center On Santa Cruz Island ↗Visitor center
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Women's Improvement Club of HuenemeHistoric district · Port Hueneme · 13.5 mi
Natural features
Waves have eroded the 5-mile volcanic island, creating steep, towering sea cliffs, sea caves and natural bridges. Much of the year, the island vegetation looks brown, but the winter rain brings brightly-colored terrain. The altitude is low and ranges from sea level to 250 feet.
Recreation
With two miles of hiking trails, ocean access nearby the campground, and generally good weather, Anacapa Island offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, swimming, snorkeling, diving, kayaking and wildlife/wildflower viewing. In summer, rangers lead an underwater video program. The program includes live video footage of sea life which is projected for visitors to see. It's a great way to stay dry while viewing colorful sea creatures. Since Anacapa Island is a cliff island, access to the water is only at the Landing Cove via a dock. There are no other accessible beaches unless you have a watercraft. There are no services on the island, so all gear has to be brought to the island.
Guidebooks for Channel Islands National Park and California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Anacapa Island?
Sites at Anacapa Island are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Anacapa Island?
Check-in 12:01 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Anacapa Island have?
16 sites, including 14 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Anacapa Island?
Anacapa Island is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Anacapa Island?
With two miles of hiking trails, ocean access nearby the campground, and generally good weather, Anacapa Island offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, swimming, snorkeling, diving, kayaking and wildlife/wildflower viewing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Anacapa Island?
Ventura, California. The Landing Cove near the campground is an ideal place for swimming, diving, snorkeling and kayaking, but there are no lifeguards on the island.
Source: Getting there
What if Anacapa Island is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Santa Cruz Island Scorpion (11.3 mi), Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry (16.8 mi), and Santa Cruz Island Prisoners Harbor (18 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
Which national park is Anacapa Island in?
Anacapa Island is a Channel Islands National Park campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.
Source: Channel Islands National Park