Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates31 total sites
Tent Sites
31 sites
About Santa Cruz Scorpion
Number of accommodations: 31
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Birding
Hiking
Kayaking
Year-round
Birding
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
- Potable Water
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
Water Access
- Beach Access
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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Site Details
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31 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (622)
What Guests Are Saying
Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground offers a beautiful and peaceful setting with excellent opportunities for kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking, making it a fantastic destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors praised the well-maintained campsites, stunning views, and friendly ranger staff, highlighting the unique wildlife and serene atmosphere. However, some noted issues with restroom cleanliness and accessibility from the ferry, but overall, the experience was highly positive, encouraging repeat visits.
What Guests Are Saying
Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground offers a beautiful and peaceful setting with excellent opportunities for kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking, making it a fantastic destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors praised the well-maintained campsites, stunning views, and friendly ranger staff, highlighting the unique wildlife and serene atmosphere. However, some noted issues with restroom cleanliness and accessibility from the ferry, but overall, the experience was highly positive, encouraging repeat visits.
Review Summary
Leon H
VerifiedAugust 22, 2026 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: Lower Loop
Didn’t know about the Island at all it wae a wonderful place to stay and enjoy!
Justin Y
VerifiedAugust 20, 2026 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: Upper Loop
Camping here was a truly magical experience. Had the time of our life kayaking, exploring the coast and caves, and saw so much marine life-including leopard sharks! Beautiful hikes as well. A sacred place that deserves to be protected and cherished.
Matthew R
VerifiedAugust 20, 2026 • Stayed at: E, Loop: Upper Loop
Campground access requires a short hike on a level dirt road. Highly recommend the hike to Potato Harbor, and kayaking through the sea caves!
Jacqueline G
VerifiedAugust 20, 2026 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Lower Loop
Campground was clean and quiet. Water was incredibly warm. We did a lot of kayaking and snorkeling. We did not even need wetsuits! We saw beautiful fish and birds. The population of Island Foxes and ravens seemed smaller. Maybe because it was so warm. There was an investation of mosquitoes at dawn on the beach. I was eaten alive while at the beach. I saw standing water not far from the beach. I have never had this problem on the island before. We had a wonderful time!
Sadie S
VerifiedAugust 19, 2026 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Lower Loop
Highly recommend! Super accessible and great access to hikes/beach.
Sarah B
VerifiedAugust 19, 2026 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Lower Loop
Trent S
VerifiedAugust 17, 2026 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Lower Loop
What the campground lacks in privacy, it makes up for with great proximity to the dock and great hiking trails. It was nice and quiet at night and well maintained. Just watch out for the curious foxes, jays, and ravens - keep your stuff well locked up!
Eric S
VerifiedAugust 17, 2026 • Stayed at: B, Loop: Upper Loop
We had a wonderful overnight company retreat at the Scorpion campground. It was such a great time. Highly recommend it. We all did the kayaking tour, sunset hike to Potato Harbor and really enjoyed the upper camp group sites!
Craig M
VerifiedAugust 13, 2026 • Stayed at: C, Loop: Upper Loop
The group campsites are great. Highly recommend snorkeling at scorpion Bay around and to the left of the pier. The hike to Smuggler’s Cove is worth the trip, but bring two 32oz water bottles as there is no water there. Kayaking here is world class and the caves are phenomenal.
Matthew C
VerifiedAugust 12, 2026 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Lower Loop
Super nice site very quiet
Wish had more trees to hang a hammock
But love the privacy long walk to the restroom
Location Santa Cruz Scorpion
Address:
1901 Spinnaker Drive
Ventura, CA, 93001
United States
Boat transportation can be arranged with Island Packers from Ventura Harbor.
To park headquarters in Ventura, Ca: exit Highway 101, at Victoria or Seaward to Ventura Harbor.
The campground is accessible via Highway 101, with interchanges at Victoria or Seaward providing access to Ventura Harbor.
Elevation: 7 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.
- Camping reservations are required prior to arriving on the island. There are NO walk-ups at this facility.
- There are 25 individual campsites. Max 6 people per site. Max 3 tents per site. A party or group of 12 or less may reserve a maximum of 2 individual sites per visit.
- A party or group of 13 or more are not allowed in individual sites and must use the group sites (A-F) in the upper campground.
- There are 6 group sites. Minimum 13 people per site. Max 15 people per site. No more than 3 group sites per party or group.
- A party or group of 46 or more may not reserve any sites through recreation.gov and must contact the park to obtain a special use permit: https://www.nps.gov/chis/learn/management/special-use-permits.htm.
- 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.
- 1/2 mile to 1 mile hike to campground. Visitors must carry all their own gear.
- 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 drinking water provided. No stores or services.
- 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.
- Visitors who have known allergies to yellow jacket venom should consider going to an alternate location other than Scorpion Ranch campground during the summer and early fall. Since yellow jackets are attracted to the water at the Scorpion Ranch campground water spigots, visitors that are allergic to yellow jacket stings may want to consider bringing their own water to the island.
- 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 6, 2026
