Camping in Channel Islands National Park

Anacapa -- Camping is allowed on East Anacapa year-round, but don't bring more than you're able to carry up the 154-stair, half-mile trail from the landing cove. The campground has seven sites and a capacity of 30 people. The campsites are primitive; there is no shade, and food and water are not available. Pit toilets are provided. No fires are allowed, but cooking is permitted on enclosed, backpack-type stoves. Bring earplugs and steer clear of the foghorn. There is a nightly $15-per-campsite charge, and a reservation is required (www.recreation.gov; tel. 877/444-6777). Campground reservations fill quickly, so be sure to call well in advance.

Santa Cruz -- Camping is allowed at the Scorpion Ranch Campground on the east end of Santa Cruz year-round. All gear must be carried about a half mile to the numerous sites. The campsites are primitive, but there is plenty of shade. Potable water is available; food is not. Pit toilets are provided. Cooking is permitted on enclosed backpack-type stoves, and open fires are allowed only on the beach from December to May. There are four backcountry campsites at Del Norte Campground. There is a nightly $15 per campsite charge. A reservation is required and can be obtained at the park visitor center or by calling tel. 877/444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov. Camping is not allowed on Nature Conservancy land (the western 76% of the island).

Santa Rosa -- Camping is allowed in Water Canyon on Santa Rosa's northeast end year-round. All gear must be carried 1 1/2 miles from the pier on Bechers Bay. The campground has water and toilets, and each of the 15 sites has its own picnic table and windbreak. There is a nightly $15 charge per campsite for the campground; the required reservations can be obtained by calling tel. 877/444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov.

Camping is permitted on a limited number of beaches that are at least a 10-mile hike from the landing site around the island from June to December. Although the winds will definitely test your tent, this is a good option for those who want to sleep in relative solitude near the water. A free permit (tel. 805/658-5711) is necessary.

San Miguel -- Camping is allowed on San Miguel year-round, though camping dates are subject to Island Packers' schedule. Located 1 mile south of Cuyler Harbor, between Cabrillo Monument and the old Lester Ranch complex, the campground has nine primitive sites and a capacity of 30 people. The hike to the campground includes a steep climb up Nidever Canyon -- keep this in mind before packing your accordion. There is a pit toilet and basic wind shelter at each site, but food and water are not available. No fires are allowed, but cooking is permitted on enclosed backpack-type stoves. Be sure to bring a strong tent, a sleeping bag, and waterproof clothes -- the wind is often fierce, and damp fog can set in for days.

There is a nightly $15 charge per site for camping, and a reservation is required. Reservations can be obtained at the park visitor center or by calling tel. 877/444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov. Campground reservations fill quickly, so be sure to call well in advance.

Santa Barbara -- Camping is allowed on Santa Barbara year-round. Note that all gear must be carried up the 131 steps to the campground, located approximately 1/4 mile inland. The 10 campsites are primitive; there are pit toilets, but food, water, and shade are not available. No fires are allowed, but cooking is permitted on enclosed backpack-type stoves. There is a nightly $15-per-site charge for camping, and a reservation is required. Permits can be obtained at the park visitor center or by calling tel. 877/444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov; campground reservations fill up quickly, so be sure to call in advance.