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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31 Sites Available
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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
Marianna Z
VerifiedApril 5, 2024 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: Lower Loop
I had a particular weekday day in mind and nabbed a cancellation a week prior. Make sure to check ferry availability too.
I stayed at the lower campground, which is in a valley with eucalyptus trees and is well-positioned for a variety of hikes. Lower campground is a short flat 10 min walk on a dirt trail from the anchorage. I travelled solo and it was easy for me to transport everything in one trip in a large day pack, grocery tote, and a drawstring bag (pretty empty, used as a carry-on for the boat), although there are lockers and it's an easy walk if you need multiple trips. Channel Islands Adventure Company is along the trail between the anchorage and campground, so very convenient to hop onto a kayaking trip (as I did) or rent snorkeling gear (if water conditions are clear/calm).
Lower campground was pretty windy when I went; the valley acts as a wind tunnel. The sites are good sized and have soft ground for staking tents, and eucalyptus trees give some branches to hang wet clothes if you go kayaking or snorkeling, although their branches could fall so don't recommend pitching a tent right underneath them. You can definitely see and hear the adjacent/across campsites. Campground pit toilets were surprisingly not too bad, perhaps because they're only really used by campers. Water spigots were available to fill up empty water bottles you bring. Do use the fox/bear lockers for storing food. I made the mistake of eating some snacks inside my tent to avoid the wind and had a curious fox sneak under my rainfly - we each gave the other a little scare. Lots of big scrub jays around the campground too.
Didn't have signal (T-Mobile) at the campground, but had signal at the anchorage, occasionally while walking on the North Bluffs Trail to Potato Harbor/Cavern Point, and on the ferry. As for the ferry, keep an eye on the front sides of the boat for dolphins, during migration season look southwards for northbound whales, and bring binoculars and extra layers.
Tierney K
VerifiedApril 5, 2024 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Lower Loop
No complaints.
Gregory S
VerifiedMarch 29, 2024 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: Lower Loop
Waking up to the smell of the eucalyptus trees in the Lower grove felt like a dream - the views just up the hill were incredible - and the water/facilities were good.
Kyle M
VerifiedMarch 27, 2024 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: Lower Loop
Amazing campground on an amazing island. Location was very central to all hiking trails. The facilities were clean and nearby. The walk from the dock was doable but I'm glad I brought my wagon. Overall it was an amazing trip! Highly recommend!
Christopher A
VerifiedMarch 26, 2024 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: Lower Loop
This was the most surprising national park I have ever been to. Such a magical experience. Shoutout to Doug who delighted us with his guided star tour and enchanted us with his National Park songs.
Paul P
VerifiedMarch 22, 2024 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: Upper Loop
Great place to get away from the crows and have quite time/great views.
Audrey F
VerifiedMarch 20, 2024 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: Lower Loop
It was great! Heads up - I called and asked ahead of time if I could bring a hammock instead of a tent, and it is allowed, but some campsites do not have enough/ properly spaced out trees. So it's a gamble. I believe site 16 had at least one spot where a hammock could be put up
Tommy S
VerifiedMarch 19, 2024 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: Lower Loop
Everything was well maintained. Trails were clearly marked. Campsite bathrooms were remarkably clean.
Aurora B
VerifiedMarch 17, 2024 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Lower Loop
Cavern Point to Potato Harbor overlook is definitely worth hiking the views were stunning. Scorpion Canyon Loop trail was a bit more challenging worth hiking. The visitor center is very small and cute but shares some important history of the island. The campsites where well shaded, all staff on island were very friendly.
Caitlin S
VerifiedMarch 17, 2024 • Stayed at: E, Loop: Upper Loop
The campground was great. The island foxes are adorable. Make sure to bring carabiners for your tent to clip zippers together. The foxes and raven can and will unzip the tents and backpacks and go through them! There are pit toilets and potable water, making it as close as you can get to car camping on an island. If volunteer Doug is working he's a treat! Sing-a-longs, documentary screenings and star gazing are all worth doing.
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 10, 2026
