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
Nicholas L
VerifiedJuly 9, 2024 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Lower Loop
Nice site, all went well.
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.
Albert Z
VerifiedJune 6, 2024 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Lower Loop
Over used and not enough facilities. Too many day users in the campground.
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.
Max T
VerifiedJune 1, 2024 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: Lower Loop
One of the best sites in the Scorpion Area. You're tucked up against some large bushes so there's no one behind you, and the campsites in front of you are like 40 yards away.
Of note, the sites in the lower area of Scorpion tend to be shadier, more secluded, and just generally better than the open field of the upper campground.
Dope spot. Highly recommended.
Diana K
VerifiedMay 31, 2024 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: Lower Loop
Closest site to main path from harbor therefore didn’t have to carry heavy backpacks and gear for that long after getting off boat. Close to pit toilet but can’t smell it. Since bathroom is on main path it’s highly trafficked. The other bathroom tugged deep in campsite is cleaner. Site is shaded by trees but that comes with price of caterpillars falling every few minutes. Keep covers on your food! Would book site again if it’s available.
chrystee b
VerifiedMay 28, 2024 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: Upper Loop
Bring running or hiking shoes so you can do one of the many trail hikes on the island. If camping, make sure to bring sleep mat or pad. It can get windy and the island fox are cute but definitely will get any food left in tent so use the fox boxes!!
Griffin P
VerifiedMay 25, 2024 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: Upper Loop
Definitely a bit of a trek inland but absolutely stunning. Rolling hills at your back and the sea at your front with foxes abound. If you don’t have a good time get yourself to a doctor ASAP. Something is wrong with 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 4, 2026
