Campsite #1 at Anacapa Island Campground, Channel Islands National Park, CA

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Tent Site #1

7 reviews
Walk-In 4 people
0 fair
1
5/28
5/29
Campsite #1 Features: Walk-In access, Back-In parking, Food Storage Locker, Picnic Table, Tent Site

Campsite Reviews (7)

1.0 out of 5

5 star
57%
4 star
14%
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1 star
29%

@KevinB3052996 · Camped on Jun 29, 2024 at Campsite #1
It's nesting season for the seagulls this time of year, if you are wondering why there are sites available during peak season, it's because the island is covered in thousands of defensive seagulls feeding and defending their young offspring, yes the chicks are very cute and its a unique experience, but the loud 24 hour nonstop squawking will test your sanity if you decide to camp overnight. If you hike the trails, you will likely be swooped and pooped on. Literally every camper that stayed overnight was on their phone the following morning booking an earlier boat ride out of there! Inspiration point is beautiful, you can see and hear seals in some of the coves at a couple lookouts, I did spot a couple falcons flying along with pelicans and a few other birds, you can't get very close to the lighthouse (trail roped off a distance away) and there is only about two miles of total trail on the island. Campsite tables and Food Boxes are covered in seagull droppings, wind can kick up pretty good at times in the evening, if you have a sensitive nose you can smell seagull everywhere, the vault toilet restrooms .. I'll give them some credit were actually nice with provided hand sanitizer and a highlight of the adventure haha. MY ADVICE, BOOK A DAY TRIP FOR A FEW HOURS DURING NESTING SEASON OR A SEACAVE KAYAK TOUR, DON'T STAY OVER NIGHT THIS TIME OF YEAR, DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU, UNLESS YOU WANT TO PLAY A CRUEL TRICK ON A FRIEND HAHA!
@JoanneM3777681 · Camped on Oct 14, 2023 at Campsite #1
Camped in mid October, had great weather, and was outside of seagull nesting season. Lighthouse is audible 24/7, light sleepers will benefit from earplugs. Lots of opportunities to enjoy and experience wildlife and being in the wild, especially at night when all the day trippers have gone. Facilities were very well kept.
@Anastasii47655 · Camped on Apr 8, 2023 at Campsite #1
What an experience!
We’ve camped on the island for 1 night in the beginning of April and it was amazing!
The island is tiny, so don’t expect a lot of hiking but it looks like this island has the most beautiful views among Channel Islands. And with camping you get to see the epic sunset at Inspiration point.
April seems like a good month to camp here. The island is all green and blooming and seagulls are just staring to arrive, so it’s not too many. If you hate seagulls and have trouble sleeping, you may consider a day trip though or camping not during April-August(seagulls breeding season) since the birds a are loud and that stay loud 24/7.

You can also bring kayak here like we did, but you will have to lower it from the deck using ropes and must be very careful with the cliffs. Read instructions carefully and make sure you know what you are doing!

The hardest thing is that you also have to make sure there is a ferry to bring you to and from the island for the night you decide to camp.

Overall, we enjoyed our trip and I would say this is a beginner camper friendly experience, since you don’t have to carry your gear too far from, just need to make sure you have everything with you since you are to be all alone on the island with no water.
@MitchellM47055 · Camped on Aug 26, 2021 at Campsite #1
Go here.
@MitchellM529 · Camped on Aug 26, 2021 at Campsite #1
Go here.
@AddysonH192 · Camped on Jul 15, 2021 at Campsite #1
I couldn't book a ferry to go to the island.
@AbigailP515 · Camped on Aug 1, 2020 at Campsite #1
The park ranger on the island was excellent, he introduced himself as we landed on the island, was very friendly and knowledgeable. Excellent facilities and very clean restrooms. The campsites and bear boxes are clean and well maintained. The trails are great and allow you to safely see the entire island. There are countless birds on the island and no shade so sunscreen is a must!

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