Quick Stats
Creation Date
March 5, 1980
Lowest Elevation
0 feet at Pacific Ocean
Highest Elevation
1,812 feet at Mount Montanon
Lowest Average Temp
45°F in January
Record Low Temp
28°F in 1965
Highest Average Temp
74°F in August
Record High Temp
103°F in 1978
Park Creation Timeline
1938
Channel Islands National Monument created
1976
International Biosphere Reserve status is given to the park by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).
1980
Channel Islands National Park is created, which absorbs Channel Islands National Monument
Animals and Plants
Land mammals on the islands are few and unique. The only native land mammals are the island fox, the island deer mouse, the harvest mouse and the spotted skunk. The island foxes and mice have further evolved independently on each island within the park. Bats are found here as well. Sea mammals include many species of pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), whales and dolphins.
Reptiles and amphibians are few, and include four lizards, one salamander, one frog, and two non-venomous snakes.
The isolation of the islands from the mainland is no barrier to birds, and there have been 384 species recorded on or near the islands to date. The NPS has prepared a
checklist of park birds.
About 790 plant varieties have been identified in the park, over 200 of which are non-native, invasive species. The major plant systems on the islands include coastal dune, coastal bluff, coastal sage scrub, grasslands, chaparral, island oak woodlands, mixed hardwood woodlands, pine stands, and riparian areas.
Channel Islands National Park
Info at (805) 658-5730
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