Campers must exit the skiff wearing shoes. To see other parts of the island, such as Point Bennett or the caliche forest, you must go with a ranger or volunteer. In some spots, the island coreopsis are head high. Due to the variable weather and potentially high winds, it is recommended that campers use a four season tent and bring extra guy lines as well as stakes. Island Packers offers trips spring through fall. Therefore, visitors must be prepared for adverse weather. Visiting with Island Packers, Channel Islands Aviation, or Truth Aquatics: There is also very good seabird viewing on the boat ride over. Due to the variable weather and potentially high winds, it is recommended that campers use a, Camping/Overnight Gear Transport Guidelines. Camping

There are no tables available for picnicking on the island. Island Packers offers trips spring through fall. To reach the campgrounds you must climb a steep half mile trail that winds up Nidever Canyon marked by a monument placed for Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo on the hill above the harbor. Strong winds and rough seas are possible. One-day trips, multi-day boat trips, and overnight camping are all options when visiting San Miguel Island. These weather conditions may prevent  Island Packers from their scheduled pick up. Schedule changes are relayed to the park in the morning and the ranger will have schedule change information. The reward for enduring the long boat ride, the wind, and the fog is exceptional wildlife viewing. Since there are no services on the islands, there are no remedies for poor planning once you have arrived. Gear packed to prevent ocean water intrusion when landing on the beach. When not accompanied by a ranger, visitors may explore Cuyler Harbor beach, Nidever Canyon, the Cabrillo Monument, and the Lester Ranch site. This is a guided 16-mile round trip hike that is available to island campers. Download before you go so you can use it offline at the islands! In addition, some plants like gumplant, buckwheat, poppies, and verbena continue to bloom during the summer. Fresh /Drinking Water (suggested 1 gallon per day per person). All rights reserved. There are no goods, services, or accommodations (lodging) available on the island. Fishing is allowed outside of these areas. As with all the Channel Islands, visiting San Miguel Island is an exercise in preparation and self-reliance. No off-trail hiking is permitted. During a normal year of rainfall, wildflowers are best viewed in late winter and spring. Pack gear in backpacks for hauling uphill and waterproof for a possible wet landing. The island was a former bombing range and there are possible unexploded ordnance. A permit (including liability waiver) is required to visit the island.

San Miguel Island (SMI)  Channel Islands National Park. San Miguel is truly a special place. Provide your name, phone number, vessel name, and dates of requested escorted hike.

This hike goes past an interesting geologic formation called the Caliche Forest. Watersports More...

The island fox, the size of a house cat, is the largest land animal on the island. Camping/Overnight Gear Transport Guidelines. To camp in the Channel Islands National Park you must have both a boat reservation and a campground reservation. While many parts of the island are closed to protect wildlife, fragile plants, and geological features, several areas are open for you to explore. Distance from the boat landing at Cuyler Harbor beach to the campground is a steep, uphill over one-mile hike. Public phones are not available. Interpretive Programs Sites are not specific when reserving. If weather permits, many visitors enjoy picnicking at Cuyler Harbor beach. Plane Service No off-trail hiking is allowed.

Island Packers would greatly appreciate your completing this form prior to your arrival if possible. Park staff are usually available to offer guided hikes soon after arrival on the island. This extreme weather creates a harsh but profoundly beautiful environment. Wildlife/Wildflower Viewing In addition, some plants like gumplant, buckwheat, poppies, and verbena continue to bloom during the summer. No ranger escort is needed to hike to the tidepools at the eastern end of Cuyler Harbor. Picnic table, food storage box, windbreak, and pit toilet are provided. Due to the strong, persistent wind,swimming, snorkeling, diving, and kayaking are limited and recommended for the experienced visitor only. Visitors must bring all their own food and supplies. Park staff will then reply with available dates and instructions. Food for your time on the island. No off-trail hiking is permitted. San Miguel Island is owned by the U. S. Navy and open for landing only when National Park Service personnel are on the island. To visit the interior of San Miguel Island; an island ranger, Island Packer employee or a National Park volunteer naturalist must accompany hikers. Visitors should be prepared for a wide range of conditions including sun, fog, cool temperatures and wind. The reward for enduring the long boat ride, the wind, and the fog is exceptional wildlife viewing. Flashlight or lantern.A  sturdy tent with stakes and guy lines and sleeping bag(s). Park staff are usually available to offer guided hikes soon after arrival on the island. Visitors must bring all their water with them.

Visitors may explore the two-mile long-Cuyler Harbor beach and one-mile-long trail to the ranger station on their own. Copyright 2014-2015 Island Packers. Landing is at Cuyler Harbor via skiff onto a beach. Visitors to San Miguel Island must complete an:

There are no goods, services, or accommodations (lodging) available on the island. Cuyler Harbor offers exceptional seabird viewing thanks to Prince Island that hosts 13 nesting seabirds, making it one of the most important and biologically diverse nesting habitats on the West Coast of North America. Visitors may land only on the beach at Cuyler Harbor. On a trial basis, Channel Islands Aviation offers trips year round. No off-trail hiking is permitted. If you travel to San Miguel with Island Packers, the National Park will have staff on the island during the camping season. If you travel to San Miguel with Island Packers, the National Park will have staff on the island during the camping season. Fog can occur during any season producing cool, damp conditions. Guest will be asked to step out of line to complete the form prior to receiving your boarding pass. The island was a former bombing range and there are possible unexploded ordnance. Visitors to San Miguel Island must complete an: Acknowledgement of Danger: Release and Hold Harmless Agreement. Hiking During the entire season that Island Packers travels to this island you have a chance to view marine mammals, including the possibility of Humpback and Blue Whales. Throughout the spring and summer, different age groups of elephant seals will haul out to molt on the sandy beaches, sometimes right inside Cuyler Harbor. While many parts of the island are closed to protect wildlife, fragile plants, and geological features, several areas are open for you to explore. Please check with a ranger or volunteer for island information or visit our visitor center in Ventura.

Primitive camping is only available at the established campground near the historic Lester ranch site (nine sites; $15 per night per site; reservations required).

The island was a former bombing range and there are possible unexploded ordnance. San Miguel Island Camping To camp in the Channel Islands National Park you must have both a boat reservation and a campground reservation. By clicking the two buttons to the right, you will be able to view both the reservation system for the boat and for the campground in two separate windows. To visit the interior of San Miguel Island; an island ranger, Island Packer employee or a National Park volunteer naturalist must accompany hikers. No fishing is allowed within the marine reserves located around the island. ... unless you’re about the backpacking and camping lifestyle. Both of these little creatures are endemics-they are found only on the Channel Islands.

Island Packers schedule changes are communicated with the National Park in the morning and this information should be available on the bulletin board of from the ranger. Travel time is about four hours. (No stores or restaurants). A permit (including liability waiver) is required to visit the island. San Miguel Island Campground is a Campground in CA.

Overnight anchorages are restricted to Cuyler Harbor and Tyler Bight. Visitors must bring all their water with them. Given the wind, landbirds are best spotted in Nidever Canyon. San Miguel is well known for the strange formations of the Caliche Forest (sand casts of ancient tree trunks and roots) that can be viewed on a day visit. San Miguel Island (SMI)  Channel Islands National Park. You may also bring a small ice chest if you are planning on just exploring the beach at Cuyler Harbor. Campers should be prepared for a variety of weather conditions. As described above, they are usually available to lead hikes. Visitors must bring all their own food and supplies. San Miguel Island, California - Camping & Campgrounds. Plan your road trip to San Miguel Island Campground in CA with Roadtrippers. There is no drinking water so you must bring your own to last the duration of our visit. Acknowledgement of Danger: Release and Hold Harmless Agreement Given the wind, landbirds are best spotted in Nidever Canyon. Fishing Year round at San Miguel Island weather/ocean conditions  may prevent Island Packers from picking you up on your scheduled day of departure. There is no water available on the island. There is no visitor center on San Miguel Island. If you are traveling to San Miguel Island with Island Packers, Channel Islands Aviation, or Truth Aquatics, they will provide the forms to you upon your reservation. On a trial basis, Channel Islands Aviation offers trips year round.

Copyright 2014-2015 Island Packers. There are no tables available for picnicking on the island. At Cuyler Harbor, rangers and volunteer naturalists offer guided hikes soon after the Island Packers boats arrive on the island.

If weather permits, many visitors enjoy picnicking at Cuyler Harbor beach. There is also very good seabird viewing on the boat ride over. Campers should be prepared for a variety of weather conditions.

A variety of guided hikes are also offered during weekends that Island Packers drops off campers. Travel time is about four hours. No fishing is allowed within the marine reserves located around the island. More... Campers will be offered various guided hikes which may include Lester Point, Caliche Forest, Harris Point and Point Bennett. Although the guided, 16-mile roundtrip hike to Point Bennett requires some stamina, visitors get a chance to see one of the largest congregations of wildlife in the world-over 30,000 animals and up to five different species. All hikers must stay on the trails to protect fragile vegetation and for visitor safety. The campground has a vault toilet. In the waters surrounding San Miguel… Fishing is allowed outside of these areas. In addition, visitors must be accompanied by park staff beyond the ranger station. Water

All hikers must stay on the trails to protect fragile vegetation and for visitor safety. One-day trips, multi-day boat trips, and overnight camping are all options when visiting San Miguel Island. Goods and Services Visitor Center Visitors must be prepared to waterproof gear and possibly get wet. Private Boaters: Visitors are required to be escorted beyond the ranger station. To see other parts of the island, such as Point Bennett or the caliche forest, you must go with a ranger or volunteer. You will need to make sure Island Packers schedule has not been changed due to ocean/weather conditions before you leave the camping area for the day. A variety of guided hikes are offered during weekends that Island Packers drops off campers. Pack gear in backpacks for hauling uphill and waterproof for a possible wet landing.

Due to the boat schedule, minimum stay is generally three days.

The Caliche Forest hike may be offered separately from the Point Bennett hike. In addition, landing and beach access is only allowed at Cuyler Harbor.