Channel Islands National Park
Prisoners Harbor Campground

Photo courtesy of Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

National Monument
1938
National Park
1980
 
Park Size
249,354 acres
 
Annual Visitors
329,000
 
Park Fee
none

Superintendent
Ethan McKinley

Park Partner
Channel Islands Park Foundation
 
Location
Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, CA

Channel Islands National Park encompasses five unique islands located just off the coast of southern California. Sometimes called the "Galapagos" of North America, the islands are home to over 2,000 plant and animal species, of which 145 are found nowhere else in the world.

Due to the isolated nature of the park, recreational opportunities remain primitive and lodging is confined to simple, hike-in campgrounds. There are very few of these campsites and none near Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island.

The Fund for People in Parks, in collaboration with the Channel Islands Park Foundation and the National Park Service, has provided a grant to support the construction of a new seven-site campground at Prisoners Harbor, including one accessible campsite. This will open up new access, allowing visitors to stay longer on the island and making it possible to do multi-day backpacking trips.

The campground is currently under construction and expected to be complete in Summer 2024.
 
Project Cost:  $141,000                                                        Project Begun: 2022
     The Fund for People in Parks: $31,500
     Channel Islands Park Foundation: $31,500
​     National Park Service: $78,000