Islands
Due to their isolation, rugged terrain, and transportation requirements, the islands are not readily accessible for individuals in wheelchairs or those with limited mobility. Limited access is available on the park concessioner boats and planes. Please call Island Packers (805-642-1393) and they will help make arrangements for safely accessing their vessels and planes.
For help with accessing the islands, please email us or call us at 805-658-5730.
Anacapa
For a virtual tour of island conditions visit Google Trekker.
Landing: This is a cliff-island with access at only the Landing Cove. Visitors must offload from a live boat to a ladder on a dock (boat is not tied-off or anchored). The length of the climb on the ladder can vary according to tide from 0 feet to 7 feet. Assistance from boat staff is available. Once on the dock, there is a 154-stair (120-foot) climb to the top of the island. Stair materials include concrete and aluminum. Hand rails are provided. Benches are available at the bottom, mid-way, and top. There is no lift to the top of the island.
Trails: Once up top, the island is relatively flat with elevation between 120 feet and 250 feet. The trails are narrow (2-3 feet wide) and comprised of dirt and gravel.
Santa Cruz Island
For a virtual tour of island conditions visit Google Trekker.
Landing: At Scorpion Anchorage visitors must offload from a live boat (boat is not tied-off or anchored) to an adjustable plafform on a pier. There are steps and railings on the boat that provide access to the landing platform. Once on the platform there is a ramp that provides access to the top of the pier. Assistance from boat and park staff is available. At Prisoner’s Harbor visitors must offload from a live boat to a ladder on a pier (boat is not tied-off or anchored). The length of the climb on the ladder can vary according to tide from 0 feet to 7 feet. Assistance from boat and park staff is available. Once on the pier for both locations, visitors must navigate a flat, wooden planked pier to access dirt roads and trails.
A beach wheelchair equipped with large, wide wheels which can roll across the sand without sinking is available upon request at both Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoner's Harbor. Please email us or call us at 805-658-5730 to make arrangments.
Trails: The island trail system elevation ranges from 0 to 1500 feet. The trails are narrow (2-3 feet wide) and comprised of dirt and gravel. The old ranch roads that traverse the island are rugged, dirt roads that are wide enough for large trucks. There are portions of flat dirt roads near the landings that can be traversed with a wheelchair or walker. In addition, arrangements can be made for complimentary vehicle assistance. Contact the park visitor center for more information.
Santa Rosa Island
For a virtual tour of island conditions visit Google Trekker.
Landing: By boat, visitors must offload from a live boat to a ladder on a dock (boat is not tied-off or anchored). The length of the climb on the ladder can vary according to tide from 0 feet to 7 feet. Assistance from boat staff is available. Once on the dock, visitors must navigate a flat, wooden planked pier to access roads and trails.
A beach wheelchair equipped with large, wide wheels which can roll across the sand without sinking is available upon request. Please email us or call us at 805-658-5730 to make arrangments.
Trails: The island trail system elevation ranges from 0 to 1800 feet. The trails are narrow (2-3 feet wide) and comprised of dirt and gravel. The old ranch roads that traverse the island are rugged, dirt roads that are wide enough for large trucks. There are portions of flat dirt roads near the landings that can be traversed with a wheelchair or walker. In addition, arrangements can be made for a complimentary vehicle tour. Contact the park visitor center for more information.
San Miguel Island
For a virtual tour of island conditions visit Google Trekker.
Landing: By boat, landing is via a skiff onto the beach. Skiff landing requires visitors to climb down a boat ladder 4-5 feet to a skiff. Then visitors must climb out of the skiff onto a wet sand. Assistance from boat staff is available. The hike from the beach to the top of the island is 550 feet over .75 mile. If landing conditions are rough, visitors must hike another .5 mile along the beach which includes navigating a rocky, boulder section.
Trails: The island trail system elevation ranges from 0 to 800 feet. The trails are narrow (2-3 feet wide) and comprised of dirt and gravel. The airstrip near the ranger station provides a flat, rugged, dirt path that can be traversed with a wheelchair or walker.
Santa Barbra Island
For a virtual tour of island conditions visit Google Trekker.
Landing: This is a cliff-island with access at only the Landing Cove area. Visitors must offload from a live boat to a ladder on a dock (boat is not tied-off or anchored). The length of the climb on the ladder can vary according to tide from 0 feet to 7 feet. At times when the dock is damaged on Santa Barbara Island, landing is via a skiff onto the rocks. Skiff landing requires visitors to climb down a boat ladder 4-5 feet to a skiff. Then visitors must climb out of the skiff onto a wet, sloped rocky ledge encrusted with marine life. Assistance from boat staff is available.
Once ashore, there is a .25 mile, 170-foot climb to the top of the island. The lower .02 mile section includes concrete stairs with a metal hand railing on the ocean side. The remainder of the climb is on a dirt trail with steps cut into the trail and framed with wood. Benches are available at the bottom, mid-way, and top. There is no lift to the top of the island.
Trails: Once up top, the island trail system ranges in elevation between 170 feet and 640 feet. The trails are narrow (2 feet wide) and composed of dirt and gravel.
Mainland Visitor Center and Contact Station
The mainland visitor center in Ventura and visitor contact station in Santa Barbara are accessible.
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Parking: Designated accessible spaces are marked with the international access symbol and are reserved for vehicles displaying an accessibility placard or license plate.
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Routes: Routes are paved from parking lot with a slight uphill incline.
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Entrance: The entrance doors can only be opened manually. However, the doors are usually secured in the open position each day and staff is available to assist.
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Restrooms: Both the men's and women's restrooms are accessible.
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Water: Water fountains are wheelchair accessible
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Pay Phone: No pay phone is available.
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Benches: Benches are provided both inside and outside.
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Elevator: An elevator is available to access all levels.
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Exhibits: Exhibits are structured to be accessible from a wheelchair, walker, or scooter.
Island Visitor Centers
For access conditions for each island please see the above landing description.
Anacapa Island
- Route: Once on the dock, there is a 154-stair (120-foot) climb to the top of the island. Stair materials include concrete and aluminum. Hand rails are provided. Benches are available at the bottom, mid-way, and top. There is no lift to the top of the island. Once up top, it is .3 miles on with a 50 foot elevation gain to the visitor center. The trail is 3 feet wide and comprised of dirt and gravel.
- Entrance: The entrance door can only be opened manually. There is a door frame with a 6 inch step to navigate into the historic building which houses the visitor center. A portable ramp is available upon request.
- Restrooms: There are 5 steps to the outhouse at the visitor center.
- Water: No water is available on the island.
- Pay Phone: No pay phone is available.
- Benches: Benches and picnic tables are provided outside the visitor center. An accessible picnic table is available.
- Exhibits: Exhibits are structured to be accessible from a wheelchair, walker, or scooter.
Santa Cruz Island
- Route: Once on the pier, the .25 mile, flat route (14 foot elevation gain) from the pier to the visitor includes travel over a wood, planked pier, gravel road, and a dirt road.
- Entrance: The entrance door can only be opened manually. There is a 2 door frame to navigate into the historic building which houses the visitor center. A portable ramp is available.
- Restrooms: The restrooms near the visitor center are accessible.
- Water: No water is available at the visitor center. Accessible spigots are available at the campground.
- Pay Phone: No pay phone is available.
- Benches: Picnic tables are provided outside the visitor center. An accessible picnic table is available.
- Exhibits: Exhibits are structured to be accessible from a wheelchair, walker, or scooter.
Santa Rosa Island
- Route: Once on the pier, the .25 mile route (54 foot elevation gain) from the pier to the historic school house ranch exhibit requires travel over a wood, planked pier and a dirt road.
- Entrance: The entrance door can only be opened manually. There is a door frame and 3 steps to navigate into the historic building which houses the visitor center.
- Restrooms: There are no restrooms near the exhibit. Accessible restrooms are available near the ranch house.
- Water: No water is available. Water is available at the restrooms and in the campground.
- Pay Phone: No pay phone is available.
- Benches: Picnic tables are provided outside the school house. An accessible picnic table is available.
- Exhibits: Exhibits are structured to be accessible from a wheelchair, walker, or scooter.
Santa Barbara Island
- Route: Once ashore, there is a .25 mile, 170-foot climb to the visitor center. The lower .02 mile section includes concrete stairs with a metal hand railing on the ocean side. The remainder of the climb is on a dirt trail with steps cut into the trail and framed with wood. Benches are available at the bottom, mid-way, and top. There is no lift to the top of the island. The trail is 2 feet wide and comprised of dirt and gravel.
- Entrance: The entrance door can only be opened manually. There is a door frame with a 2inch step to navigate into the building which houses the visitor center.
- Restrooms: There are no restrooms at the visitor center. There are restrooms in the campground .04 miles away. They are not accessible for wheelchairs.
- Water: No water is available on the island.
- Pay Phone: No pay phone is available.
- Benches: Benches and picnic tables are provided outside the visitor center.
- Exhibits: Exhibits are structured to be accessible from a wheelchair, walker, or scooter.
Programs and Tours
Guide hikes and programs that can be modified to meet the needs of visitors. Contact the park visitor center for more information.
Campgrounds
For access conditions for each island please see the above landing and trail descriptions. Distance to each campground from the landing is:
- Anacapa: .5 miles
- Santa Cruz: .5 miles
- Santa Rosa: 1.5 miles via boat; .25 miles via plane
- San Miguel: 1 mile via boat; .25 miles via plane
- Santa Barbara: .25 miles
- Site accessibility: Level, sites with accessible tables are available. Assistance with accessing the sites is available from park staff on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands. Contact the visitor center to make arrangements.
- Outhouses: Accessible outhouse are available near the accessible sites.
- Water: Water is available only in the Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Island campgrounds.
- Pay phone: No pay phone is available.
- Routes: Most paths through the campground are well-compacted dirt are level. .
More Information
Please email us or call us at 805-658-5730 for more information.
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