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
Jacqueline B
VerifiedAugust 4, 2024 • Stayed at: E, Loop: Upper Loop
One of my all-time favorite campsites! It's warm and protected from the winds because of its location in the valley. Plus, it's close to the start of Smuggler's Cove and Potato Harbor, two must-do hikes! Potato Harbor is PERFECT at sunset!
Vina L
VerifiedJuly 29, 2024 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: Lower Loop
It is a beautiful island and we had a wonderful trip. The water was crystal clear and the kayaking was amazing. Camping was good with facilities (water, bathroom, picnic tables).
But there's too much development since we were last there years ago. Crowded boat and lots of people. The Adventure Company who rents gear on the island took up so much of the outdoor space on the island - just to make money on national park land?
Annie R
VerifiedJuly 16, 2024 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: Lower Loop
My best friend and I had the most fantastic trip on Santa Cruz Island! The hike into the site is pretty short, and very flat ground. You might even be bale to bring a wagon to cart your stuff to the site. (We saw many people do this but we weren't confident it was allowed beforehand) The campsites themselves are pretty spacious, but didn't seem to be all evenly sized. We stayed on site 18 and LOVED it! The area with the campsites got pretty windy so I would recommend brining some warmer layers for after sundown. The sites are also pretty shaded although they aren't all conducive to hammocking. The bathroom was a pit toilet and there were lots of flies/bugs in it but even if you're a bit squeamish you can do it! Also the bathrooms at the entry of the island near the ferry are cleaner/much less buggy. The hiking on Santa Cruz was AWESOME! On several of our hikes we didn't run into anyone else, so it felt like you were really secluded and on your own private island. Our favorite hike was to Smuggler's Cove and then to Yellowbanks. We had the beaches essentially to ourselves and it was a very doable moderate hike. I would suggest bringing at least 2 liters of water per person because there is no water on the island except at the campsite and the hikes have no shade (although there is shade at the Smuggler's Cove). I hope this was helpful and you have a fantastic trip!
Michael G
VerifiedJuly 16, 2024 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Lower Loop
We had a wonderful one night trip to Santa Cruz. The campground was very nice. I would recommend looking into renting equipment from the company on shore that does both kayaking and snorkeling. If we go back, we will definitely plan on doing a kayak trip.
Nicholas L
VerifiedJuly 9, 2024 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Lower Loop
Nice site, all went well.
Maureen D
VerifiedJuly 9, 2024 • Stayed at: A, Loop: Upper Loop
Santa Cruz Island was a great adventure for my high school aged Girl Scouts. We hiked, did citizen science, and went sea cave kayaking with the Santa Barbara Adventure Company. The campground was great, the naturalist, Ranger/EMT and support staff were supportive and attentive. For the girls the big highlights were the kayaking and seeing huge pods of dolphins and about 12 blue/sei/humpback whales (some right next to the boat) that Island packers stopped on our ferry to let us experience. Life changing adventure for these young women.
Whitney D
VerifiedJuly 7, 2024 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Lower Loop
It’s a remote camping experience but beautiful countryside and decent amenities
Sean H
VerifiedJuly 5, 2024 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Lower Loop
The boat ride and snorkeling were cold. The trails were steep and hot. The scenery exceptional. Overall a great experience if you are up for the challenge. Warning: The sly channel island foxes and ravens will sleal everything you leave out!. We were diligent, but saw others lose their snacks.
Luz R
VerifiedJune 22, 2024 • Stayed at: E, Loop: Upper Loop
Love this place. A great destination to be if you want to camp in an island.
Gerard G
VerifiedJune 6, 2024 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Lower Loop
This is an excellent campground overall, On pristine Santa Cruz Island. Two things would've made my experience much better. The table at my campsite 006 was leaning at the significant angle out of horizontal, which is extremely inconvenient. This could've been easily fixed in a few minutes with a couple of Rangers and, a chunk of word. Although only two years old since the remodel, the table was heavily warped at both ends and two bolts were missing. Things like this should be repaired promptly and not just shrugged off as "that's OK". Also, there is no water in the dock area where there are often hundreds of people. You have to walk half a mile into the campsite to get water. Inexplicable and inconvenient.
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. |
