Channel Islands in November: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Shoulder · VisitWhen score 66/100 · #11 of 12 months
November is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Channel Islands National Park: crowds run 64% of the July peak (23,057 average visits). Weather: highs average 71°F and lows 48°F, with 0.9″ of precipitation and 10.4 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Channel Islands in November
- HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 10.4 hours of daylight in mid-November.
- Sturdy, broken-in hiking bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: every park, every month.
- Water bottles for the daySee it on AmazonWhy: hydration is one of the NPS Ten Essentials.
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Channel Islands in November: what the park service says
November falls between the calm fall seas and the winter storms. The water is cooling from its autumn high, and Santa Ana or east winds remain a risk; the kayaking page adds that forty-knot winds are not unusual around Santa Rosa and San Miguel. Both mainland visitor centers close on Thanksgiving Day, and the Ventura one is otherwise open every day from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Boat transport to the islands runs year-round. On a low tide, the most accessible tidepools include Frenchy's Cove on Anacapa, Smuggler's Cove on Santa Cruz and Becher's Bay by the pier on Santa Rosa. The rocks are slippery, the surge comes without warning, and collecting anything is against the law.
Source: NPS 1, NPS 2, NPS 3, NPS 4, checked 2026-11-08.
Crowds in November
Channel Islands averages 23,057 recreation visits in November — 64% of what July, the peak month, draws. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind.
Weather & daylight
Daytime temperatures are comfortable (highs average 71°F), and nights stay mild (lows average 48°F). It is typically dry (0.9″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 10.4 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station POINT MUGU NF, CA US (43 mi from park coordinates, 13 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of November.
What to pack for Channel Islands in November
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Headlamp — only 10.4 hours of daylight in mid-November (compare other options)
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Looking for a better window? The computed best months for Channel Islands are January and March.
Also at their best in November
Other parks whose computed November verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Canyonlands in November — 35% of peak crowds, highs 55°F, score 72/100
- Mammoth Cave in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 61°F, score 72/100
- New River Gorge in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 54°F, score 72/100
- Petrified Forest in November — 45% of peak crowds, highs 58°F, score 72/100
Common questions
Is Channel Islands crowded in November?
Moderately: November runs 64% of the July peak, averaging 23,057 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Channel Islands.
What is the weather like in Channel Islands in November?
Average highs of 71°F, lows of 48°F, 0.9″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, POINT MUGU NF, CA US station). Compare it with other national parks in November.
What should I pack for Channel Islands in November?
Headlamp; Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in December instead? Channel Islands in December has its own list.
See also: the best national parks to visit in November · Last verified 2026-09-24