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
Khanh D
VerifiedOctober 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: Lower Loop
Nice, shady, and spacious campsites less than 1/2 miles from boat dock. This campsite has two water spigots nearby. The vaulted toilets are well maintained.
Ella V
VerifiedOctober 10, 2024 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Lower Loop
Amazing campsites, cute island foxes, great hikes. Thank you!
Debra N
VerifiedOctober 3, 2024 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Lower Loop
Campground was very pleasant. Even though we didn’t have a tree at our campsite, there was plenty of shade from nearby trees. Only one water spigot in the lower campground so best to try to be close to it. The wind was pretty strong up on the ridges and out on the water, but the campground at scorpion is protected by trees and ridges, so never felt windy. Was pleased to see the bathrooms were cleaned each day (no running water there so water to clean them was brought in a tank).
Lisa K
VerifiedSeptember 26, 2024 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Lower Loop
We boarded the ferry at 9 am for an hour+ boat ride to the island and were met at the dock by a ranger who went over all the rules. We camped for two nights at Scorpion campground, which was a 5-10 minute walk. My site 4 was in full sun but most sites were shady. There were no mosquitos, a few hornets near the water spouts, several island foxes and ravens. You have to keep your food in bear boxes at all times or they will steal your food. The hikes were beautiful and We did the Kayak/snorkel tour which was amazing!
James M
VerifiedSeptember 26, 2024 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: Lower Loop
Short flat easy walk from boat to camp. Always shaded. Watch out for thieving ravens and cute but thieving channel island foxes. Don’t forget to sign up for kayaking.
Tim W
VerifiedSeptember 17, 2024 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Lower Loop
Great time! Sometimes hard to figure out how to plan this trip if it’s your first time. Book a camping site first then book ferry tickets. First timers think it’s back packing style. Think “minimalist car camping” you can bring coolers and chairs so be comfortable. If you want to bring your own kayaks just tell them and they charge you $21 to do so. Such a wonderful spot to explore!
Harlan B
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2024 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: Lower Loop
I took the boat over from Ventura (which you have to book separately from the campground reservation) and spent one night at Santa Cruz Scorpion campground. Upon landing Ranger Karen (who was totally awesome) gave a camper introduction to us and then let us loose. There is a little awkwardness between arriving on the island around 10:30 and the campground check-out time being 11 am while the boat leaves at 4:30, so on your leaving day depending on your day plans you might have to be proactive with breaking camp, but there are separate fox boxes for campers just for this so it works out. The island is pretty exposed so definitely wear a hat and sunscreen and stock up on water (plenty of trees and a few water spigots at the campground).
There is a morning ranger hike that goes through the campground and up towards Cavern Point. In my day and a half on the island I did the loop up there, as well as the one out to Potato Harbor Vista Point, for some fantastic views and then the Smuggler's Cove trail on the second day (afterward relaxed and did the Junior Ranger handbook in the time before the boat return). Check out the visitor's center on the island for some cool historical info! You can also do various kayaking or snorkeling or swimming, and you can schedule ahead of time a boat ride into the caves on the other side of the island.
Check out the Harbor Cove Cafe in Ventura and order to pick up a packed lunch/dinner the morning you leave (I got a turkey sandwich and it was awesome at the end of the first day of hiking).
Spending the night overnight on the island was an awesome experience. I've camped a lot and being at a campground so isolated and free of predators (you're not gonna run across a bear on the way to the bathroom at 2 am) and no cars shining lights was wonderful. The island foxes are adorable and really show up in the evening. I got up early to watch the sun rise on the beach. I'd love to return.
Susanne P
VerifiedSeptember 8, 2024 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Lower Loop
Camp Site 14: Location is excellent with only one neighbor, open view into the canyon and big eucalyptus trees. Ample shade and a creek which was dry in September. An island fox and an island scrub jay frequented the site. Short walk for water, slightly longer for bathroom ( which was ok).
Lisa S
VerifiedSeptember 4, 2024 • Stayed at: F, Loop: Upper Loop
What an amazing bucket list trip!!
Eric t
VerifiedAugust 27, 2024 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: Lower Loop
Great campground, can’t wait to go back!
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 13, 2026
