San Miguel Island

An incredible island with an amazing NPS tour guide! Bring windbreakers, a rain jacket, and seed-free hiking boots. This island is WINDY, COLD, and stunning.

An incredible island with an amazing NPS tour guide! Bring windbreakers, a rain jacket, and seed-free hiking boots. This island is WINDY, COLD, and stunning.

This stunning, most remote of the Channel Islands has a host of experiences and adventures in store for the intrepid adventurer. I went with three good friends for 8 days and loved every moment. Having good camping skills is critical, and be ready for the "big haul" on day one - multiple trips across the beach, up the steps / trail to the campground with your gear and water.
Take advantage of hiking opportunities with NPS docents and explore every possible corner of the island. Bring a good camera and your nature journal if you are so inclined! And binoculars! A morning in the NPS building reading books is a good way to pass a foggy / drizzly period.
Be ready for cool temps but don't be afraid of being out there - the longer you stay outside, the more you will see! The birds, the marine mammals, the plant life, the ocean...

This stunning, most remote of the Channel Islands has a host of experiences and adventures in store for the intrepid adventurer. I went with three good friends for 8 days and loved every moment. Having good camping skills is critical, and be ready for the "big haul" on day one - multiple trips across the beach, up the steps / trail to the campground with your gear and water.
Take advantage of hiking opportunities with NPS docents and explore every possible corner of the island. Bring a good camera and your nature journal if you are so inclined! And binoculars! A morning in the NPS building reading books is a good way to pass a foggy / drizzly period.
Be ready for cool temps but don't be afraid of being out there - the longer you stay outside, the more you will see! The birds, the marine mammals, the plant life, the ocean...

Inge was an exceptional volunteer ranger, who made sure that we saw as much of the island as possible. The NOAA researchers were also very generous with their time.

Inge was an exceptional volunteer ranger, who made sure that we saw as much of the island as possible. The NOAA researchers were also very generous with their time.

The set up of sites is cozy, the few sites are not too far apart. The fathest south sites have the best view. The logistics getting your stuff, especially water, takes a little planning but it was worth it. The web site to reserv the site was easy and efficient.

The set up of sites is cozy, the few sites are not too far apart. The fathest south sites have the best view. The logistics getting your stuff, especially water, takes a little planning but it was worth it. The web site to reserv the site was easy and efficient.

We had a fabulous time on San Miguel island. The wildlife viewing was extraordinary. We saw fox pups with the most adorable faces peering up at us from the periphery of our campsite. At Cuyler Harbor, some juvenile elephant seals put on a show for us, mock-fighting with each other.
The park naturalist, Joel, and his wife were incredibly hospitable and knowledgeable. They led us on four hikes. At Pt. Bennett, we watched newborn Northern fur seals and sea lions doing what comes naturally in the surf. (Bring binoculars to see more). At Cardwell Pt., sea lion pups were learning to body-surf.

We had a fabulous time on San Miguel island. The wildlife viewing was extraordinary. We saw fox pups with the most adorable faces peering up at us from the periphery of our campsite. At Cuyler Harbor, some juvenile elephant seals put on a show for us, mock-fighting with each other.
The park naturalist, Joel, and his wife were incredibly hospitable and knowledgeable. They led us on four hikes. At Pt. Bennett, we watched newborn Northern fur seals and sea lions doing what comes naturally in the surf. (Bring binoculars to see more). At Cardwell Pt., sea lion pups were learning to body-surf.