WHAT YOU NEED TO CAMP
➤ All campers must obtain boat transportation prior to booking a campsite (we do not go to each island daily).
➤ Plan Ahead – Camp Light on the Channel Islands
Camping with Island Packers is a true back-to-basics experience. All camping is backpack-style —there’s no car camping here. You’ll carry all your gear on and off the boat, hike it to your campsite, and pack everything out. Travel light: less is more. There are no fires and no stores on the islands. Just you, your essentials, and nature at its wildest. Respect the landscape, follow Leave No Trace principles, and come prepared for a remote and rewarding adventure
➤ Preparation and Boarding Requirements:
All campers must be fully prepared with their gear and ready to load one hour before departure. Campers who are not completely ready 30 minutes prior to boarding will not be permitted to board, and no refunds will be issued for missed passage.
➤ Like many of the National Park campgrounds around the country, sites can fill quickly and are often booked far in advance of the current date and you must confirm availability before you reserve your boat transportation.
➤ All campers must obtain campsites prior to leaving the mainland and Island Packers must have your campsite reservation information on file prior to boarding.
➤ Please review the “How to Pack Your Overnight Gear” slideshow (see the button below) before you arrive.
Invasive species can damage the unique ecosystem of the Channel Islands. Please check all gear for pests, seeds, and dirt. Please watch the video above to help protect our Channel Islands National Park.
The following are some of the items not allowed in the park: seeds, plants or cut flowers, fruit boxes, used corrugated cardboard, untreated wood, soil.
CAMPING GEAR GUIDELINES / RULES
➤ NO single item over 45 lbs. No Exceptions.
➤ 60 lbs. of gear maximum per person, not including water. Passengers staying more than 2 nights are allowed an additional 10 lbs. of of provisions (food) per night stayed.
➤ Ice chests/coolers – may not exceed 60 quarts and may not exceed 45 lbs in weight.
➤ Fuel must be separated from other gear before loading. Fuel canisters will be placed in a special container for transport to the island. We do NOT accept 5 Gallon tanks of propane.
➤ Lithium batteries and e-cigarettes may not be stowed in your overnight gear. Please carry all electronic items in your day pack instead.
➤ Water is not included in the weight total. Filled containers may not exceed 5 gallons and will be stored on the back deck of the vessel.
➤ Gear: Ice chests, backpacks, food storage containers, suitcases, duffel bags and similar items may not weigh more than 45 lbs. There are very few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions must be approved by management prior to your trip date.
➤ Carry-on baggage must fit completely under the bench seat similiar size to an airline seat.
➤ Gear that does not meet Island Packers guidelines will be required to be repacked or the weight decreased before being loaded onto the vessel.
➤ We reserve the right to refuse gear that arrives late or is determined to be inappropriately packed, overweight, over-sized, hazardous, flammable or unacceptable at Island Packers sole discretion.
➤ Overnight Parking – If you are leaving a car in the Ventura Harbor or Oxnard Harbor parking lot while at the islands, you must park in the long-term parking area and have a parking permit visible on your car. The Ventura Harbor charges a fee of $10 per night for parking
➤ Carts & Wagons – Island Packers only allows small magna style carts that fit inside of your pack at a $10 charge. Restrictions are due to space availability and weight on the vessel. Effective 9/2/25: NO WAGONS OF ANY KIND
DO NOT BRING – WE WILL NOT TRANSPORT:
WINTER / SPRING CAMPER WARNING
Between the months of December through May, ocean conditions may prevent Island Packers from picking you up at your scheduled time. Please come prepared with extra food in case we are unable to pick you up because of adverse weather conditions.
On the day of your island departure please speak with a ranger or check the bulletin board for the most up-to-date information regarding island pick-up times.
Island Packers may come earlier, (as much as a day earlier) than scheduled for camper pick up, so please check before you leave the campground area. You may miss the boat if you are unaware of the schedule change.