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
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Site Details
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31 Sites Available
No available sites
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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
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!
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.
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.
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.
Stephen D
VerifiedApril 19, 2025 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Lower Loop
We visited and camped at the Scorpion campground in early April. The campground was full, with some big groups (students) but everyone was respectful. We hiked to Potato harbor, the Scorpion Loop, and up to the Cavern point lookout. We camped in spot 8, saw plenty of foxes, and lots of pelicans. The hiking is exposed to the sun so bring a sun hat for protection. The trip out with Island Packers was easy, and we saw humpback whales and bottle nose dolphins going both directions. Believe the ranger when he says there is little to no cell reception on the island, your there for the peace and quiet anyway. We would definitely go back to Channel Islands National Park.
Cindy J
VerifiedApril 17, 2025 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Lower Loop
Beautiful Island. Great hiking trails. Campsite was excellent but unfortunately our timing was such there was a large group of kids right next to us and kids are kids but by 8pm they were in their tents and quiet.
Raymond D
VerifiedApril 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 021, Loop: Lower Loop
Beautiful surroundings, complete with Island foxes! Great hikes to be had
Darren T
VerifiedApril 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: Lower Loop
Bad weather canceled the boat ferry out to the island on short notice so we were unable to cancel the campsite. The system would not let us get a refund due to short time interval. There needs to be exceptions for that type of event.
Amy P
VerifiedApril 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Lower Loop
Beautiful place. Great staff and communication. We loved the junior ranger book and activities. The park ranger was very informative. Thank you!
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
