Parking
No parking on-island; arrive by boat and start at the Landing Cove/visitor center area.
Overview
About Signal Peak Trail
Signal Peak Trail is a strenuous out-and-back from the Landing Cove on Santa Barbara Island to Signal Peak, the island's 634-foot high point. The National Park Service lists the hike as 2.5 miles round trip. The stored line follows the mapped Landing Cove connector and Signal Peak path to the summit approach; it stores the physical one-way corridor once, while the visitor distance includes the return.
Why go
- Sweeping 360-degree ocean views from the island high point
- Seasonal fields of giant coreopsis in bloom
- Rare sense of isolation on a small, remote island
Heads up
- Fully exposed to wind and sun with no shade or water
- Steep, rocky grades right from the dock
Yes—if you want a short but strenuous climb to Santa Barbara Island's highest point. The route is exposed and remote, but the views toward the western coast and Sutil Island make the effort worthwhile.
Parkwolf’s verdictIs It Worth It?Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Channel Islands map
Full mapElevation112–630 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 Signal Peak 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 trailhead
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 as you drive up to 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 Signal Peak Trail
Trail ExperienceThe route climbs steeply from the dock and landing area and crosses open, exposed island…
The route climbs steeply from the dock and landing area and crosses open, exposed island terrain to the peak. There is little shade and no potable water. Stay on designated trails, follow posted wildlife and nesting-area restrictions, and use a topographic map for navigation; the park's hiking map is for reference only.
Views & WildlifeSignal Peak offers sweeping views of the island's western coast and Sutil Island.
Signal Peak offers sweeping views of the island's western coast and Sutil Island. Giant coreopsis and seabirds are seasonal highlights, and seals and sea lions may be seen around the coast.
Tips & TricksCarry plenty of water and protect yourself from sun and wind; there is no potable water on the…
- Carry plenty of water and protect yourself from sun and wind; there is no potable water on the island.
- Wear sturdy footwear for the steep, natural tread from the landing area.
- Stay on designated trails, keep clear of cliff edges and sensitive nesting habitat, and use a buddy system.
- Plan around the boat schedule and allow time to return to the Landing Cove before departure.
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.
