Each of the five islands within Channel Islands National Park in California offers a series of trails, some as short as 0.4 miles (0.6 kilometers) roundtrip, and others up to 28 miles (45 kilometers) roundtrip with easy to strenuous difficulty levels. Some trails are well maintained and relatively flat, while others are rugged and mountainous.
Below are the trails on each island with roundtrip distances and difficulty levels. For more detailed information about each hike, click on the trail name.
Note: the maps are not for navigation.
Anacapa Island
Inspiration Point Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 1.5 miles/2.4 kilometers
Difficulty: Easy
Pinniped Point Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 0.4 miles/0.6 kilometers
Difficulty: Easy
Cathedral Cove Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 0.6 miles/~1 kilometer
Difficulty: Easy
Lighthouse Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 0.5 miles/0.8 kilometers
Difficulty: Easy
Santa Cruz Island
Hikes From Scorpion Beach:
Historic Scorpion Ranch Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 0.5 miles/0.8 kilometers
Difficulty: Easy
Cavern Point Loop Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 2 miles/3.2 kilometers
Difficulty: Moderate
Potato Harbor Overlook Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 5 miles/8 kilometers
Difficulty: Moderate
Scorpion Canyon Loop Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 4.5 miles/7.2 kilometers
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Smuggler’s Cove Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 7.5 miles/12 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
Montañon Ridge Loop Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 10 miles/16 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
Hikes From Smuggler’s Cove:
Smuggler’s Canyon Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 2 miles/3.2 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
Yellowbanks Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 3 miles/4.8 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
San Pedro Point Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 4 miles/6.4 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
Hikes From Prisoner’s Harbor:
Prisoner’s Harbor Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 0.5 miles/0.8 kilometers
Difficulty: Easy
Del Norte Trail Overlook Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 3 miles/4.8 kilometers
Difficulty: Moderate
Del Norte Campground Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 7 miles/11.3 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
Chinese Harbor Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 15.5 miles/25 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
China Pines Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 18 miles/29 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
Pelican Bay Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 4 miles/6.4 kilometers
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Santa Rosa Island
- Santa Rosa Island Hiking Map and Guide 8.5" x 14"
- Santa Rosa Island Hiking Map and Guide with Shaded Topographic Map 24" x 36"
Includes high resolution shaded topographic map for navigation. Note: This map is not georeferenced and cannot be used with your device's built in GPS. - High Resolution Georeferenced Hiking Map 24" x 36"
High resolution shaded topographic map for GPS navigation. Along with the Avenza Maps app this PDF can be used to locate yourself without the internet or network connection using your device's built-in GPS. - Santa Rosa Island Interpretive Guide
Historic Ranch Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 0.8 miles/1.3 kilometers
Difficulty: Easy
Becher’s Bay Coastal Trail Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 2 miles/3.2 kilometers
Difficulty: Easy
Water Canyon Campground Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 3 miles/4.8 kilometers
Difficulty: Easy
Water Canyon Beach Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 3 miles/4.8 kilometers
Difficulty: Easy
Water Canyon Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 3 miles/4.8 kilometers
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Cherry Canyon Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 3.5 miles/5.6 kilometers
Difficulty: Moderate
Black Mountain Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 8 miles/12.9 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
Torrey Pines Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 7.5 miles/12 kilometers
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Skunk Point Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 12 miles/19 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
East Point Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 16 miles/25.7 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
Carrington Point Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 8 miles/12.9 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
Lobo Canyon Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 9 miles/14.5 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
Johnson’s Lee Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 28 miles/45 kilometers via the Main Road; 27 miles/43.5 kilometers via the South Road
Difficulty: Strenuous
San Miguel Island
Cuyler Harbor Beach Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 2 miles/3.2 kilometers
Difficulty: Easy
Cabrillo Monument Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 2 miles/3.2 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
Caliche Forest Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 5 miles/8 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
Point Bennett Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 16 miles/25.7 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
Cardwell Point Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 6 miles/9.7 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
Lester Point Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 5 miles/8 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
Crook Point Overlook Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 5 miles/8 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
Santa Barbara Island
Arch Point Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 1 mile/1.61 kilometers
Difficulty: Moderate
Elephant Seal Cove Overlook Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 2.5 miles/4 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
Webster Point Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 3 miles/4.8 kilometers
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Sea Lion Rookery Overlook Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 2 miles/3.2 kilometers
Difficulty: Moderate
Signal Peak Hike
Distance Roundtrip: 2.5 miles/4 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
Backcountry Hiking
Limited backcountry hiking (and camping) are available at Channel Islands National Park. But it’s not for the inexperienced. Planning and preparation go into backcountry hiking. Bring all your food and water with you.
You can explore the backcountry by foot or kayak. Backcountry camping is available year-round at the Del Norte Campground near Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island for $15 nightly. Reservations are required through recreation.gov.
Also, during certain times of year, backcountry beach camping is allowed on Santa Rosa Island for $10 nightly. Reservations are required through recreation.gov.
- By Rebecca Latson - June 10th, 2026 11:11am
