If you are a regular listener of this podcast, or our sister podcast RV Miles, you know we’re big fans of park videos, you know the short films you watch in the visitor’s center designed to give you an overview of the site you are visiting. Watching a park video is one of the first things we do as a family before exploring a park and I love the way it sets up what you’re going to see as you explore, and why it is protected. In fact, several of our past episodes have featured a park film or come about because of a story featured in the film. This episode is no different.

Today on the America’s National Parks Podcast, Channel Islands National Park and the original 1982 “Treasures of the Sea” park film. Now in retirement, this version was replaced in 2011 with the currently running film featuring narration by Kevin Costner.

You can listen to the full audio episode below or on any podcast app:

Or watch the original here:

Camping is available year-round on all five islands, limited backcountry camping is available on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands, and advanced camping reservations are required for all of the campgrounds. The cost is $15 a night and you have to carry all your camping gear in. No transportation to the campsites is provided.

For those who prefer a day trip to the Channel Islands, the mainland visitor centers in Ventura and Santa Barbara are easily accessible by car or public transportation, however the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats and planes or private boat. There are several concessionaire’s offering a variety of excursions to the island, and costs vary. Advanced planning is highly recommended.