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
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
Darren H
VerifiedJanuary 18, 2025 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: Lower Loop
Short hike to the campsite. Water tasted good. Boat ride to the island was pleasant. Great outing
Darren H
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2025 • Stayed at: 021, Loop: Lower Loop
Campsite was close to the dock. The water was available and tasted okay. The pit toilet was clean but other campers left the lid up so the smell wasn’t great (seriously people, close the lid to contain smell). It was a great campsite and the weather was great.
Sierra G
VerifiedJanuary 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: Lower Loop
Nice and flat campsite. However, lots of people passing by during the day due to proximity to the trail and bathrooms.
Ashis S
VerifiedJanuary 7, 2025 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: Upper Loop
Excellent experience at the campsite. Especially the restrooms were probably the best pit toilets I have ever seen.
Madeleine M
VerifiedDecember 28, 2024 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: Lower Loop
Montañon Ridge was so beautiful and very worth the hike, but the downhill towards Smuggler's Cove was "off-trail" and a little steep. Pit toilets were so clean and had a light, tp, and hand sanitizer. Great spot!
Jonathan F
VerifiedDecember 16, 2024 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: Lower Loop
I really enjoyed my time camping at Scorpion Cove. I think the park rangers go above and beyond to make the off-grid camp site a great base camp to explore Santa Cruz Island!
Sond A
VerifiedDecember 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Lower Loop
We spent 2 nights in Scorpion campground. The rangers keep the area clean and safe. We loved the island foxes and ravens that roam the island and look for treats. We will definitely be back!
Paul G
VerifiedDecember 14, 2024 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: Lower Loop
Had the entire campground to myself. Awesome experience.
Campground is in great shape
Kayla C
VerifiedDecember 5, 2024 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Lower Loop
We had a wonderful weekend! It rained the first day, was a bit windy the second day, and absolutely stunning the last day (of course). Because of the weather forecast, it seemed that many people were deterred from visiting, which suited us just fine. We had the whole island to ourselves. Well, we did have to share with the foxes and ravens, but that was also enjoyable. We especially liked chatting with the various volunteers and rangers, they were so kind, helpful, and informative. Definitely one of my favorite camping experiences. We hiked the north side (to Potato Harbor) the first day and had a bit of rain, but the views were stunning, and who cares if you get a little wet? The second day we hiked to Smugglers Bay, which was gorgeous. The only thing is that there is no shade along the hikes. Like, at all. So, bring adequate sun protection. I wish I'd spent all day at Smugglers Bay because, again, no one was there, and it was positively divine. We snorkeled the last day (brought our own gear), and the water was clear, if a bit chilly, but no complaints on that. Overall an incredible experience. We saw loads of dolphins on the way there and back, and the boat ride was nice.
Peter S
VerifiedNovember 27, 2024 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: Upper Loop
Starting the chainsaws for the campground tree-trimming at 7am is simply unconscionable.
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
