Featured amenities
Picnic Table
Restrooms
Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates4 total sites
Tent Sites
4 sites
About Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry
Number of accommodations: 4
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
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Rates, Sites & Availability
4 Sites Available
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Site Details
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4 Sites Available
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Reviews (143)
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
young k
VerifiedSeptember 23, 2020 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
The quiet and tranquil campsite was really good, especially because the sunset is beautiful and the sea is calm, so I want to go again.
Michael P
VerifiedOctober 29, 2020 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
About a 4 mile hike to the site from the dock at Prisoners Harbor. First mile is steep uphill. The campsite we got #2 had no shade whatsoever. Luckily it wasn't hot and actually we had a bit of overcast. Four miles from there you have a cobblestone beach at Chinese Harbor which was way cool.
Jeremy M
VerifiedNovember 9, 2020 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
Highly recommend this site if you like being able to explore without many (or any) other folks around. Make sure to pack light & bring plenty of water. I had a buddy try to bring too much & he did not have fun hiking 3.5 miles uphill to the campsite lol. I'd definitely recommend the hike to Chinese Harbor, try to time the walk back around sunset & you'll get some beautiful views.
Duncan T
VerifiedNovember 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
The hike in is tough but the views are fabulous. Enjoyed the fact that a level area was created for tent placement. Don't forget to bring plenty of water; it's heavy, but we brought 1 gal/person for overnight.
John B
VerifiedDecember 5, 2020 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
Nice campsite, great views. Long hike to it but worth it
Marlon C
VerifiedFebruary 6, 2021 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
Great camping spot. Amazing views
John F
VerifiedFebruary 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
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Brenda F
VerifiedFebruary 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
Beautiful view and serenity. Though hike for beginners but we made it .
Will certainly go back .
Roxane V
VerifiedMarch 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
Stunning campground with amazing birdlife in the early morning.
John C
VerifiedMarch 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
Amazing spot on the bluffs, appreciative of the solitude and natural beauty. Seems like something akin to camping on the Big Sur coast. Hike in was tough with water weight but worth it.
Location Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry
Address:
1901 Spinnaker Drive
Ventura, CA, 93001
United States
The campground is accessible via US Highway 101, located approximately 20 miles to the southeast.
Elevation: 217 feet
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.
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Last updated: September 3, 2026
