Featured amenities
Picnic Table
Restrooms
Available sites
4 total sites
Tent Sites
About Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Hiking
Kayaking
Year-round
Hiking
Spring
Kayaking
Summer
Kayaking
Fall
Kayaking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Picnic Table
Restrooms
Water and Hygiene
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
Rates, Sites & Availability
4 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
4 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (157)
What Guests Are Saying
Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry offers stunning views and a peaceful camping experience, with well-maintained sites and amenities like picnic tables and bear boxes. The hike to the campsite is moderately challenging but rewarding, showcasing the island's natural beauty. However, campers should be prepared for limited privacy, a lack of water, and potential challenges with the trail's maintenance. Overall, it's a great destination for those seeking a remote and picturesque camping adventure.
What Guests Are Saying
Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry offers stunning views and a peaceful camping experience, with well-maintained sites and amenities like picnic tables and bear boxes. The hike to the campsite is moderately challenging but rewarding, showcasing the island's natural beauty. However, campers should be prepared for limited privacy, a lack of water, and potential challenges with the trail's maintenance. Overall, it's a great destination for those seeking a remote and picturesque camping adventure.
Review Summary
Sam S
VerifiedMarch 10, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
We hiked to Del Norte camp from Prisoners Harbor in early March and it was such a beautiful and restful experience. I had a done a lot of research but the camp sites were better than I could imagine. Beautiful views and very private and clean. It was nice to have the convenience of the picnic table, lockers, and restroom. Can’t wait to come back!
Jeremy E
VerifiedFebruary 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
Del Norte campground is an A+ campground. Keep it up y'all! Brand new pit toilet, splendid views of the coastline and channel, picnic tables and shade for two of the sites (3 and 4). The hike up is well worth it.
Elisabeth E
VerifiedJanuary 1, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
Amazing view and solitude. Sites 1-2 provide best views but almost no shade - wile 3-4 have less view but more shade. Best campground so far visited in California. Clean pit-style toilets. About 1,5hrs hike from prisoner’s harbor and 4hrs from scorpion. Take plenty of water - start early if you hike to scorpion to avoid the heat and to get there before lunch!
Georgia P
VerifiedDecember 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
We visited the Del Norte campground in December. Given how exposed the campsites are, I was worried it would be very windy but it was not an issue. We stayed at campsite 2 and while it had a nice view (not as nice as campsite 1 though), the tent site was quite slanted and we were sliding to the foot of our tent the whole night. This may have been a result of recent rains. The campsites aren't very private, though sites 3 and 4 offer a little more privacy as well as some shade from trees. Campsites 1 and 2 have no shade, so keep that in mind if you are visiting in the summer. The trail in was well-marked and offered some nice views. Overall, we enjoyed our trip but next time we would choose a different campsite.
Sarah V
VerifiedDecember 27, 2022 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
Hiked from Scorpion to Del Norte and back. It was a great trip. The tree in campsite 4 is very low so if your tall this may not be great site for you. The bathroom is a bit smelly but it is clean.
alex b
VerifiedNovember 27, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
Wonderful boat ride over. Gorgeous views. Invigorating hikes. Unique and plentiful wildlife. Secluded beaches.
Vincent C
VerifiedNovember 18, 2022 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
Excellent backcountry campground! Amazing views, sunrise and sunset. It gets a little windy and chilly at night but as long as you’re prepared, you should have good sleep.
Jabbar W
VerifiedOctober 21, 2022 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
My three night stay was wonderful. There was very little sun and it rained on and off. My pack was just over 60 lb with 3 gallons of water so go nice a slow on your way to the campsite. I rushed it and didn’t take any breaks until the last quarter mile because I was dead tired. So take breaks. There is no rush.
Juliette G
VerifiedSeptember 17, 2022 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
Santa Cruz is absolutely spectacular. We didn't make it up to Del Norte because of the hurricane but we did get to spend the afternoon/overnight at the Scorpion Cove campground. Everything was well maintained and the park staff was friendly and knowledgeable. We are already planning our next trip!
Joshua C
VerifiedSeptember 15, 2022 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
Beautiful view. Clean, seemingly well maintained campground. Make sure you bring some kind of bug/mosquito repellent; I was bitten 67 times the one night I stayed!
Location & Directions for Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry
1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001 United States
Elevation: 217 ft
Highway access
The campground is accessible via US Highway 101, located approximately 20 miles to the southeast.
Nearby National Park
In Channel Islands National Park
Approximate driving time: 3 min
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
11AM
Check out time
11AM
General
- Santa Cruz Island may only be reached by boat. Visitors are required to arrange boat transportation to the island before reserving a campsite. Contact the park's authorized concessioner Island Packers or use your own private boat.
- During winter and spring, Del Norte campground campers will need to be prepared for a wet creek crossing at Canada del Puerto in Prisoner's Harbor. Visitors may have to wade through fast moving water up to 2 feet deep.
- Camping reservations are required prior to arriving on the island. There are NO walk-ups at this facility.
- One party or group may reserve a maximum of 2 individual sites per visit. There are 4 individual campsites. Max 4 people per site.
- This is a backcountry campground that requires a 3.5-mile moderate to strenuous hike. You must carry all your gear, including water. Due to difficult weather and rugged terrain, backcountry camping is an arduous endeavor and should be undertaken only by experience, well-conditioned backpackers.
- Upon arrival, meet ranger at beach, landing dock or campground. However, park staff is not always available on the island. Please have confirmation letter, receipt, or campsite number with you.
- Primitive camping. Tent camping only, no electricity/water/sewer site hook-ups at this campground. Bring low profile tents and extra food for weather delays. Partial shade from trees. Picnic table, food storage box, and pit toilet (bring your own toilet paper) provided. No stores or services. Must bring your own water. One gallon of water per person per day is recommended.
- Proper food and trash storage is required. Food/Trash storage lockers are provided at each site. Recommend hard-sided container (i.e. action packer) to further protect food/garbage from animals.
- Visitors are required to pack out what they pack in, including garbage.
- No campfires or charcoal fires. Only enclosed gas camp stoves are allowed.
- Smoking is only allowed on beach areas at Scorpion, Smugglers, and Prisoners Harbors.
- Avoid contact with deer mice. Hantavirus has been found in island deer mice. For more information visit: https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/hantavirus.htm.
- To help prevent the introduction of nonnative species the following items may not be brought to the park: pets; live or potted plants; soil; cut flowers; firewood or any untreated, unfinished wood (including hiking sticks); corrugated boxes; tools or equipment with attached soil; motorized vehicles; bicycles; and single-use plastic grocery bags. Prior to departure, visitors are required to use pest-proof packing materials, inspect and clean their gear and shoes of all soil, seeds, and insects. Learn more about biosecurity and watch the required video at Protect Your Park Through Biosecurity.
- No fishing in marine reserves. California fishing license and ocean enhancement sticker required to fish outside marine reserves.
- Kayakers: ocean conditions can rapidly change, requiring expert abilities. Ocean kayaking is an inherently dangerous activity. Always check weather and do not kayak beyond your experience level.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: October 21, 2026
Need help?
Our team is here to help you find the perfect spot for your next adventure.
Replies within minutes
Explore Ventura, CA
Elevation: 36 ft
From our Travel Guides
