Expensive campground ($6 for parking then $26 for tent site) but it was VERY clean and definitely some of the best campground showers I have ever experienced. We did have to fend off several raccoons while making dinner, walking, and checking in. Overall, it was a quiet, pleasant stay.
This is a rarely talked about subject in American History classes in school! You can learn about, see, climb on, and go inside of ancient ruins dating back to the last ice age. A very rare opportunity to see beautiful earthworks from ancient peoples in the United States. Definitely worth the stop in! Wear your walking shoes.
As this became a National Monument in 2012, the visitors center is BRAND NEW. The grounds, garden, and grave site of Cesar Chavez are small, but impeccably managed. The visitors center was lack-luster in its information. My husband and I both left asking our self a lot of questions that the exhibits simply did not explain. Probably only worth a stop if you are severely interested in Cesar Chavez.
The Channel Islands were a highlight of our trip to SoCal! We took a boat the company Island Packers for about $60/person round trip to the largest Island Santa Cruz. They don't run boats everyday, so check the schedule well a head of time! The hiking was phenomenal - trails ranging from a half mile to 10 miles. The longer the hike, obviously, the fewer the people. We did a 6-mile round trip hike and we had the trail to ourselves about 75% of the time! The visitors center both on and off the islands were extremely well done and interesting. Sweeping views of coast line and crystal blue waters. There is camping on the island and we want to go back to SoCal just to camp there! You can also rent Kayaks on the island. A must stop when in SoCal!
Awesome hiking!
Swimming was closed due to E. Coli content in the water when we came :( too bad because it really looked like fun!
We really loved this place - the visitors center is excellent, very educational. They have a number of interactive exhibits. The scenic drive to the top of the butte is excellent!!
History nerds get ready: this place is awesome. Visit the Native American part of the memorial first and really read it. Combined with the rest of the history from the area, I dare you not to want to cry. This site more than anything else we visited really made me realize how much we messed up, betrayed, and ruined Native American culture and lifestyle. You need to visit this to really better understand American History.
Not a lot to do except boating here, it seems. We drove around and saw the canyon, it was cool, but a little lack luster. Hiking options were not great.
Phenomenal. We only wish we were better climbers so that we could do this guy! The trails around it are great, the visitors center was a little lack luster. We did spend the night at the campground in the park. No showers, but the campground itself was clean, very quiet, and had GREAT views of Devil's Tower for sunrise. It was great, we would totally come back.