Parking
There is no road access or traditional visitor parking on Santa Barbara Island. Arrive by boat at Landing Cove, then climb the steep stairs to the visitor-center and mesa trail system.
Overview
About Elephant Seal Cove Trail
This strenuous out-and-back on Santa Barbara Island starts at Landing Cove and crosses exposed grassland and low mesa terrain to the Elephant Seal Cove overlook. The corrected mapped corridor is about 1.7 miles one way; plan for approximately 3.4 miles round trip and about 2.2 hours on the island.
Why go
- Dramatic volcanic sea-cliff and open-ocean views from the Elephant Seal Cove overlook
- Strong chance of seeing elephant seals, sea lions, and other seabirds from a respectful elevated viewpoint
Heads up
- Steep landing-cove stairs and a sustained exposed climb make the route strenuous
- Boat access, limited services, no water on the island, and exposed cliff edges require careful planning
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Channel Islands map
Full mapElevation0–482 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
3 active Channel Islands alerts
- ClosureSanta Barbara Island dock closed; landings restrictedMentions Santa Barbara Island, referenced in this guideThe Santa Barbara Island dock is closed; landings are restricted to the adjacent rocky ledge. - Severe winter storm damage caused the closure, and repairs are not expected in the near future.Official details
- ClosureSanta Rosa Island wildfire-recovery closuresAvoid closed routes and shorelines on Santa Rosa Island during recovery from the 2026 wildfire.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Channel Islands Tour Guide
Your drive to Elephant Seal Cove Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Channel Islands National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Channel Islands audio tourRecorded for this area
Santa Barbara Island's Bluff-Top CampgroundListen
“Up ahead is the Santa Barbara Island Campground, perched on the bluff. It's a steep, quarter-mile walk up from the landing, but your reward is a front-row seat to some incredible ocean views and wildlife.”
Plays near this trailhead in the Parkwolf Channel Islands Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Santa Barbara Island: Small, Remote, and Wild
- Signal Peak: The Highest Point on Santa Barbara Island
- 47 audio storiesacross Channel Islands’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Island Fox, Humpback Whale, Blue Whale, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 31 trails, 49 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Elephant Seal Cove Trail
Trail ExperienceFrom the dock at Landing Cove, climb the steep landing-cove stairs to the visitor-center and…
From the dock at Landing Cove, climb the steep landing-cove stairs to the visitor-center and mesa trail system. Follow the designated route across the island, through the central mesa and North Peak/Arch Point junction, then continue west to the overlook above Elephant Seal Cove. The route is open and exposed, with little shade and a sustained climb before the final coastal descent.
What You’ll SeeThe overlook looks across volcanic sea cliffs toward Elephant Seal Cove and Shag Rock.
The overlook looks across volcanic sea cliffs toward Elephant Seal Cove and Shag Rock. Northern elephant seals, California sea lions, harbor seals, and seabirds may be visible below; use binoculars and remain behind the marked viewing boundary.
Planning and SafetySanta Barbara Island is reached by boat, and service is limited.
Santa Barbara Island is reached by boat, and service is limited. Carry all water and food needed for the visit, wear sun and wind protection, and allow time for the boat schedule. Stay on the designated trail and behind wood railroad-tie viewing markers: cliff edges are fragile and unmarked edges can be dangerous. Poison oak, jumping cholla, ticks, and scorpions are also present. Pets are not allowed.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Channel Islands
2,232 sightingsIsland FoxMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
282 sightingsHumpback WhaleMost seen around 9 AMSighting map
79 sightingsBlue WhaleMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
101 sightingsGrey WhaleMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
364 sightingsCalifornia Sea LionMost seen around noonSighting map
105 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 5 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Channel Islands. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
