Bays
Park geography
A detailed look at the island and marine geography of this protected California landscape
Channel Islands National Park Geographic Profile: Boundaries, Terrain, and Spatial Data
This geographic profile examines the structural composition of Channel Islands National Park, including its total land and marine area, latitude and longitude coordinates, and regional placement within California. The data covers mountain relief, coastal features, and island topography to provide a clear understanding of the environmental and spatial extent of this protected region.
Related tags
IslandsMarine EcosystemsEndemic SpeciesArchaeological SitesSea Caves
A rugged archipelago of five islands protecting endemic species and 13,000 years of human history off the coast of Southern California
Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park encompasses five of the eight Channel Islands off the Southern California coast, creating a unique protected archipelago that lies just miles from the densely populated mainland yet feels worlds apart. The park spans approximately 249,561 acres, with roughly half extending beneath the ocean surface, making it one of the most maritime-dominated national parks in the United States. The five islands within the park include San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Anacapa, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz, each offering distinct landscapes ranging from volcanic peaks and sea cliffs to sheltered coves and grassy hillsides. Established in 1980, the park emerged from earlier designations including a 1938 national monument for Anacapa and Santa Barbara islands, and today represents one of California most significant ecological preserves. The islands hold extraordinary significance for understanding both natural history and human presence in the Americas. Archaeological evidence reveals continuous human occupation dating back 8,000 to 13,000 years, with artifacts representing some of the oldest known sites in North America. The islands were once home to thousands of Chumash people, whose sophisticated maritime culture developed across centuries of inhabiting this island environment. European explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo first documented the islands in 1542, beginning a new chapter in their history. The park protects not only terrestrial environments but also the surrounding marine waters through its proximity to the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
- Location
- United States of America
- Park type
- National park
- Established
- 1980
- Area
- 1,009.9 km²
Location overview
Administrative and coastal status in California and the United States
Channel Islands National Park Regional and Coastal Geography
Located in the United States of America, Channel Islands National Park spans across California, Santa Barbara County, and Ventura County. The protected area features designated coastal, island, and marine status.
- Countries
- United States of America
- Regions
- California, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County
- Primary location
- California
- Geographic setting
- Coastal · Island · Marine
Boundary and coordinates
Mapping the split land and marine area across 1,009 square kilometers
Channel Islands National Park Boundary Map and Geographic Limits
Interactive geographic mapping plots the spatial boundary and coordinates of the protected island archipelago. Geographic datasets detail the balanced land and marine area split alongside central coordinates and spatial span.
- Boundary area
- 794.2 km²
- Boundary perimeter
- 367.6 km
- Northernmost point
- 34.2493° N
- Southernmost point
- 33.4481° N
- Easternmost point
- 119.0076° W
- Westernmost point
- 120.4711° W
- Geographic centre
- 33.9797° N, 119.9419° W
- North–south span
- 88.9 km
- East–west span
- 135.4 km
Terrain and natural features
Explore recorded mountain terrain classifications, bays, and islands
Channel Islands National Park Terrain and Named Natural Features
Stored park facts classify the protected terrain as mountain relief with multiple recorded natural features located within the boundaries. Linked cards provide entity names, feature types, and precise spatial relationships for each mapped point.
Selected named natural features
Islands
Bee Rock
4 m
Islands
Clover Rock
-4 m
Islands
Sea Stack
Peaks
San Miguel Hill
253 m
Viewpoints
Landing Cove
Environmental setting
Mediterranean climate classifications, marine habitats, and island relief settings
Channel Islands National Park Environmental Settings and Classification Geography
Recorded landscape classifications, coastal habitats, and water presence define the physical setting of Channel Islands National Park. Linked categories connect stored environmental data to corresponding atlas destinations.
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Mediterranean
- Water
- Water-dominated
- Forest cover
- No forest cover
- Seasonality
- Strongly seasonal
Landscape features
Islands · Coast · Beach · Cliffs · Cave · Volcano · Mountains
Habitat types
Coastal habitat · Marine habitat
Park atlas
Trace the connected protected landscapes and diverse coastal geography surrounding the Channel Islands archipelago.
Discover Related National Parks and Protected Areas Near Channel Islands National Park
Continue your exploration from Channel Islands National Park by browsing other national parks and protected areas across the California coast and adjacent regions. Use these related park entities to compare diverse island ecosystems, marine environments, and unique geological formations in a broader geographic context.
Marine protected areaCalifornia
Park boundaries overlap#1 closest
West
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Marine Protected Area Map and Atlas
Southern California marine habitat and island topography
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary protects 1,470 square miles of diverse marine environment near the California coast. This sanctuary guards vital kelp forests and deep seafloor ecosystems while preserving deep water archaeological sites and the biological legacy of the Northern Channel Islands.
- Area
- 3,807 km²
- Established
- 1980
- IUCN
- V
- Relief
- Lowland
Marine protected areaCalifornia
17 km away#2 closest
West
Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary: California Marine Protected Area Atlas
Mapping coastal transition zones and submarine seafloor features
Spanning over 4,500 square miles off the Central Coast of California, the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary represents a critical ecological intersection between northern and southern marine species. The sanctuary includes dramatic underwater terrain like Arguello Canyon, Rodriguez Seamount, and the Santa Lucia Bank, creating a complex habitat that sustains kelp forests and diverse maritime resources.
- Area
- 11,770 km²
- Established
- 2024
- IUCN
- V
- Relief
- Mixed relief
Protected landscapeCalifornia
21 km away#3 closest
Northwest
Los Padres National Forest: Geography and Protected Landscape Map of Central California
Extensive wilderness corridors and high mountain ridges
Spanning from the Big Sur coastline to the interior ranges of the Santa Lucia and San Rafael mountains, Los Padres National Forest represents a significant protected area in California. The region contains deep gorges, forest-covered canyons, and high-altitude pine ridges that provide essential habitat and support major river headwaters.
- Area
- 7,700 km²
- Established
- 1936
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Mediterranean
Protected landscapeCalifornia
22 km away#4 closest
East
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area: Protected Landscape and Regional Geography
Exploring the ecological and cultural tapestry of Southern California's coastal mountains.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area comprises a complex array of parks and preserves that protect the unique Mediterranean climate of Southern California. The terrain showcases rugged ridgelines, deeply carved canyons, and vital coastal habitats. As a significant urban protected area, it offers an essential look at how biodiversity, human history, and regional geography coexist within one of the most populated zones in the United States.
- Area
- 638 km²
- Established
- 1978
- IUCN
- V
- Visitors
- 795.2K annual
Protected landscapeCalifornia
59 km away#5 closest
East
Angeles National Forest: Mapped Protected Landscapes and Geographic Terrain in California
Mountain wilderness and Mediterranean watershed geography
Spanning the San Gabriel and Sierra Pelona ranges, Angeles National Forest serves as a dramatic ecological transition zone. This analysis of its protected landscape focuses on the interaction between steep canyons, high peaks, and the distinct chaparral and conifer zones that shape California geography.
- Area
- 2,652.26 km²
- Established
- 1908
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Mediterranean
Wildlife reserveCalifornia
About 64 km away#6 closest
North
Matilija Wilderness: A High Elevation Protected Landscape in the Santa Ynez Mountains
Rugged canyon geography and critical California condor habitat
Spanning from deep canyon bottoms to the high rocky ridges of Monte Arido, Matilija Wilderness represents a significant protected unit within California. The area encompasses a dense network of riparian habitats along Matilija Creek, forming a vital ecological corridor for wildlife and preserving the rugged terrain of the southern Santa Ynez Mountains.
- Area
- 118.2 km²
- Established
- 1992
- IUCN
- Ib
- Relief
- Mountain
Wildlife reserveSan Luis Obispo County
122 km away#7 closest
Northwest
Garcia Wilderness: Mapped Boundaries and Geographic Identity in San Luis Obispo County
Studying the Santa Lucia Range ridge and forest ecosystems
Located in San Luis Obispo County, Garcia Wilderness encompasses 14,100 acres of protected coastal mountains. Its topography features a prominent east-west ridge system that dictates local drainage patterns and vegetative shifts, ranging from lower-slope chaparral to dense oak forests. This area represents a vital segment of the federal conservation efforts established to protect the central California landscape.
- Area
- 57 km²
- Established
- 1992
- IUCN
- Ib
- Relief
- Mountain
Protected landscapeCalifornia
140 km away#8 closest
North
Sequoia National Forest: Protected Sierra Nevada Geography and Mountain Terrain
A vast protected landscape spanning 1.1 million acres in California
Spanning Tulare, Kern, and Fresno counties, Sequoia National Forest preserves iconic giant sequoia groves across multiple river watersheds. The terrain features vertical relief exceeding 11,000 feet, showcasing a range of ecosystems from chaparral slopes and coniferous forests to glacial cirques and granite spires located within the southern Sierra Nevada range.
- Area
- 4,829.17 km²
- Established
- 1908
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Mediterranean
MoriAtlas Explorer
Continue Exploring Channel Islands National Park's Geography and Protected Boundaries
Delve deeper into the unique geographic profile of Channel Islands National Park. Understand how its protected landscape fits within California's regional geography and explore its mapped terrain for comprehensive atlas discovery. This entry provides foundational context for appreciating the park's natural identity and its importance as a conservation landscape.
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