The Channel Islands National Park is a wilderness with few amenities. Wind screens are provided on Santa Rosa and San Miguel Islands, fire rings at East Santa Cruz. You will have to pack in everything else you need. A free permit is required of private boaters who hike beyond the ranger station on San Miguel Island. Private boaters must get permission to land on Western Santa Cruz Island.
Camping is available year-round on all five islands.
No camping is allowed on The Nature Conservancy's western 90 percent of Santa Cruz Island. Free camping permits are required for all of the campgrounds. The campground on eastern Santa Cruz Island has 35 sites with four to six people allowed per site. Camping permits can be obtained no more than six months in advance. Information required for permits include camping dates, transportation information, number of campers, and an emergency contact.