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
No available sites
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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
Brad N
VerifiedOctober 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
Just bring the water you need, and the rest takes care of itself.
Erynn W
VerifiedNovember 1, 2023 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
This was a great spot for a 1 or 2 night stay. But be warned, it is very primitive! There is no water source and there is 1 pit toilet for the 4 campsites. We stayed in campsite number 4 which was under two oak trees. This would be the perfect site for summer as it provided full shade! But if you want the view and can manage the sun exposure during the day, sites 1 and 2 have the most beautiful view of the bluff and ocean! The sunrise was incredible! We would definitely stay here again!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Peter S
VerifiedDecember 14, 2023 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: BACKCOUNTRY AREA
Excellent.
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.
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
