About Santa Cruz Scorpion
Number of accommodations: 31
Campground Amenities
-
Beach Access -
Potable Water
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Sites & Availability
31 Sites Available
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Site Details
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31 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (561)
What Guests Are Saying
The Santa Cruz Scorpion campground is highly praised for its beauty, tranquility, and the abundance of wildlife, particularly island foxes. Campers appreciate the well-maintained facilities, easy access to hiking trails, and the support from friendly park rangers. However, visitors noted some challenges with campsite congestion and occasional bathroom cleanliness issues, but overall, the experience is described as unforgettable and worth recommending.
What Guests Are Saying
The Santa Cruz Scorpion campground is highly praised for its beauty, tranquility, and the abundance of wildlife, particularly island foxes. Campers appreciate the well-maintained facilities, easy access to hiking trails, and the support from friendly park rangers. However, visitors noted some challenges with campsite congestion and occasional bathroom cleanliness issues, but overall, the experience is described as unforgettable and worth recommending.
Review Summary
chandra s
VerifiedMay 5, 2025 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: Lower Loop
Loved the quiet! Campsite was clean and bathrooms were fine. Having all the wildflowers out was a bonus. Loved how small the campsite was... yet spread out and away from your neighbors for privacy.
Bailey W
VerifiedMay 5, 2025 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: Upper Loop
Such an incredibly beautiful campground. Surrounded my so many green hills and trails. 3 stars bc we stayed in a site next to 5ish group sites - I saw that before I booked it and I made the decision but man it was incredibly loud the entire time. There wasn’t a moment of peace at the site. So if you’re going to stay here either just be one of the big groups or bring headphones. (Site 24) I didn’t have that, so it was definitely not a peaceful experience
Jessica M
VerifiedMay 5, 2025 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: Lower Loop
Campground is rustic but so worth it. Water and bathrooms were close (but not too close). The valley provided shelter but it was still the windiest night I’ve ever experienced. Ravens were in the lookout so zip your car keys. Saw lots of foxes. Most hikes are in/out of the campground; it’s the perfect base. Great trip, must do it at least once.
Melinda R
VerifiedMay 3, 2025 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Lower Loop
Absolutely loved our 2 night stay. Highly recommend the kayak cave tour. Hiking to Smugglers cove was a favorite.
Camp sites are well taken care of, definitely use the fox boxes. And YES ravens will open zippers to bags. As experienced by a fellow camper.
Elizabeth B
VerifiedApril 29, 2025 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Lower Loop
Loved camping here, the sites were great and the bathrooms in good shape for being well used pit toilets!
Jamin B
VerifiedApril 29, 2025 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: Lower Loop
Our site was just a short walk from the pier, close to the outhouse and potable water was nearby. The campground is convenient for access to hiking trails too. Beware of foxes and ravens which are smart enough to open backpacks to access items. All food should be stored in the critter boxes ( we also put our stove and other kitchen items away).
Tina B
VerifiedApril 25, 2025 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Lower Loop
Santa Cruz Island was beautiful. I love how wild it is and how few people there are, especially on the longer hikes. The views and the wildlife and birds are amazing.
The only downside was the restrooms. I am fine with pit toilets, but these were pretty awful. They weren’t cleaned the whole three days I was there, there was excrement on several toilets and walls, and one of them ran out of paper on day 2.
I figure maybe staff is low with all the layoffs so no complaint here, but thought it was worth a mention. Regardless, I would definitely visit again.
Katrina L
VerifiedApril 25, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: Lower Loop
This is the third time I have camped out at Scorpion cove on Santa Cruz Island. It is always amazing. We love to hike and then just hand out and enjoy nature. We saw a bunch of humpback and Minke whales on the way out and back which was a real treat.
Kristen C
VerifiedApril 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Lower Loop
What an incredible place! The campground is beautiful and just a short walk from the pier and beach. We definitely want to come back!
Scott U
VerifiedApril 20, 2025 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Lower Loop
We stayed at lower Scorpion for 2 nights in early April and had a wonderful experience. While we stayed out of the water, there was plenty of hiking and sitting on the beach to observe the park. Campsites had tree cover for shade, easy access to water, and the bathrooms were well taken care of. Believe all the warnings about using the storage boxes! We observed foxes and ravens work their way through each campsite looking for left out food. We even watched a raven open an unattended backpack to get a bag of goodies!
One of the highlights of the trip was the volunteer guides roaming the campsites and trails to answer questions. Special shout out to Tanya, the volunteer who was staying on the island while we were there. She was so warm, knowledgeable, and helpful and gave us a richer appreciation for the island.
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 34.0482 / -119.562
Elevation: 7 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 |
Camping reservations are required prior to arriving on the island. There are NO walk-ups at this facility. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| 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 |
1/2 mile to 1 mile hike to campground. Visitors must carry all their own gear. |
| 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 drinking water provided. No stores or services. |
| 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. Smoking is only allowed on beach areas at Scorpion, Smugglers, and Prisoners Harbors. |
| General |
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. |
| 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. |
