About Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry
Number of accommodations: 4
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Sites & Availability
4 Sites Available
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Site Details
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4 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (142)
What Guests Are Saying
The Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry offers a stunning camping experience with beautiful views, well-maintained trails, and clean facilities, including picnic tables and bear boxes. Hikers appreciate the solitude and the presence of wildlife, such as island foxes, enhancing the overall experience. However, visitors should be prepared for a steep hike, bring ample water, and note that some campsites are close together with limited privacy and shade.
What Guests Are Saying
The Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry offers a stunning camping experience with beautiful views, well-maintained trails, and clean facilities, including picnic tables and bear boxes. Hikers appreciate the solitude and the presence of wildlife, such as island foxes, enhancing the overall experience. However, visitors should be prepared for a steep hike, bring ample water, and note that some campsites are close together with limited privacy and shade.
Review Summary
Tyler C
VerifiedMarch 10, 2024 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
What a beautiful island. We had unexpected heavy rain, which prevented us from staying the night. Island Packers suggested that we leave the island as a storm was coming in. The campsite is nice though, but with few amenities. Highly recommend. Make sure to book your ferry when you book the campsite.
jack p
VerifiedDecember 22, 2023 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
Spent 3 nights at Del Notre Campground and had a great time. We were in camp site #4 and it has the most shade. The campground is on a hilltop and has a great view of the ocean. Carrying all our water was tough but worth it.
Jonathan S
VerifiedDecember 22, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
Reserved site 1 but we ended up staying in site 3. It was so windy that we were too cold in #1. Also our picnic table was SHATTERED. Like a movie monster had gotten to it. It would have been the perfect site after a long summer hike with a warm night, as there was nothing but perfect stars to see.
Peter S
VerifiedDecember 14, 2023 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
Excellent.
Chanton P
VerifiedDecember 13, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
One of my favorite campsites in the NPS! We had the first site and it overlooked Prisoner's Bay and had a beautiful sunset. Very peaceful and isolated during our stay. The surrounding scene is also very lush on this side of the island. Ranger was thoughtful and made sure to check if we were good for our cross-island hike.
Elizabeth P
VerifiedDecember 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
This was a lovely, quiet site. Our views of sunset and sunrise were unreal. Highly recommend Site 1 if you want ocean views, or Site 4 if you want a shady tree with a little more privacy. We hope to be back one day!
Darren C
VerifiedNovember 28, 2023 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
Spectacular views of the California mainland as well as Anacapa and other islands throughout our hike from the Del Norte campground to Scorpion Beach.
Danny W
VerifiedNovember 24, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
Would recommend starting at Prisoner's Harbor and hiking up to the Del Norte campsite for the sunsets and sunrises. The hike from the campsite to Scorpion Anchorage for pickup the next day is well worth the 12 miles for an adventurous backpacking experience.
Keenan L
VerifiedNovember 15, 2023 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
Good small campground. Site 1 has big stateside vistas but is fully exposed to wind. Site 2 is exposed with lesser views. Site 3 has an Oak tree to break up wind over the table but not the tent. Site 4 is fully protected by a large Oak. California Coastal Sage is all around the periphery which makes for a wonderful smell. Island Jays can be seen in the morning checking out your campsite. Other birds were hard to spot.
Shanon S
VerifiedNovember 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
The campground was easy to find and beautiful to camp at. There is a little maintenance that needs to happen in campground one with the picnic table.
Location Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry
Address:
1901 Spinnaker Drive
Ventura, CA, 93001
United States
Latitude & Longitude: 34.0108 / -119.66
Elevation: 217 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
Camping reservations are required prior to arriving on the island. There are NO walk-ups at this facility. |
| General |
One party or group may reserve a maximum of 2 individual sites per visit. There are 4 individual campsites. Max 4 people per site. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
Quiet time is enforced at 10:00 pm. Check-in and check-out times are at 11:00 a.m. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
Visitors are required to pack out what they pack in, including garbage. |
| General |
No campfires or charcoal fires. Only enclosed gas camp stoves are allowed. |
| General |
Smoking is only allowed on beach areas at Scorpion, Smugglers, and Prisoners Harbors. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
No fishing in marine reserves. California fishing license and ocean enhancement sticker required to fish outside marine reserves. |
| General |
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. |
