About Santa Cruz Scorpion
Number of accommodations: 31
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Birding
Hiking
Kayaking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Campground Amenities
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
Water Access
- Beach Access
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Rates, Sites & Availability
31 Sites Available
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Site Details
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31 Sites Available
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Reviews (566)
What Guests Are Saying
The Santa Cruz Scorpion campground is highly praised for its stunning views, well-organized facilities, and excellent hiking opportunities. Campers appreciate the tranquility, plentiful shade, and friendly park rangers, making it a perfect base for exploring the island. While some concerns were noted about wildlife interactions and limited wind coverage, the overall experience is described as unforgettable, with many looking forward to returning.
What Guests Are Saying
The Santa Cruz Scorpion campground is highly praised for its stunning views, well-organized facilities, and excellent hiking opportunities. Campers appreciate the tranquility, plentiful shade, and friendly park rangers, making it a perfect base for exploring the island. While some concerns were noted about wildlife interactions and limited wind coverage, the overall experience is described as unforgettable, with many looking forward to returning.
Review Summary
Stephen H
VerifiedMay 25, 2025 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Lower Loop
Gorgeous campground! One of the best in the NPS system.
Marvin A
VerifiedMay 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: Lower Loop
Rangers were excellent: very helpful and informative.
Kristina M
VerifiedMay 19, 2025 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: Lower Loop
Such a great experience!! Book your trip to Santa Cruz Island asap! We backpacked from Prisoners and only spent one night in Scorpion but I can’t wait to come back. We were in campsite 22 which was nice but a little close to bathrooms. Pottable water, pit toilets. Island is beautiful!
Patty B
VerifiedMay 17, 2025 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Lower Loop
Our group did a one-night camping trip to Santa Cruz Island, Scorpion campground. The campground was very clean and the site was spacious. Also, well shaded. We hiked to Smuggler's Cove the day we got there, which made for a late start (noon, by the time we set up our tents and put our food in the fox box). It was a bit warm, but manageable.
The next day we hiked to Potato Harbor.
Both hikes were beautiful, the hills were green, and the wildflowers were out.
I would definitely consider the weather conditions to plan hiking activities. If it's hot, there's no cover.
Edward M
VerifiedMay 15, 2025 • Stayed at: 025, Loop: Upper Loop
You should take the warnings about foxes, ravens, and robber jays serious. Everything the rangers warned us about I actually witnessed while I was camping.
As a side note the privys were surprisingly clean. Good Job Park personnel!
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.
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
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.
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).
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 34.0482 / -119.562
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: June 3, 2026
