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
Kristin F
VerifiedMay 24, 2024 • Stayed at: C, Loop: Upper Loop
This is an amazing place. Santa Cruz Island is spectacular. The views are incredible and the hiking trails are perfect for anyone in your group…beginners and experienced can find something they like. The campground is great. The water doesn’t need to be filtered. The toilets are pit toilets and the flys are pretty gross, but they were cleaned every morning. The sites are pretty close together but we stayed in a group site which was amazing. They are further back (so a longer walk from the boat but not bad at all…0.8 mile). Plenty of space for our group of 12. Not much shade at site C but most of the others had shade. It wasn’t hot so it didn’t matter, but it would matter in the summer. This is definitely a special place. The park rangers are amazing and super helpful if you ever need anything.
Russell H
VerifiedMay 23, 2024 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: Upper Loop
Very good place to get away from it all.
Malia S
VerifiedMay 18, 2024 • Stayed at: 021, Loop: Lower Loop
wonderful birthday trip. we stayed one night but two would have been marvelous. peaceful campsite, nice neighbors, clean bathroom, right next to the spigot - what else could you ask for? can't wait to go back.
Peter P
VerifiedMay 17, 2024 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: Upper Loop
Great experience! Arrived Wed morning, left late Friday. Danny and the rest of the Island Packers crew, as well as the Park Rangers, were awesome. Loved the solitude of the hikes. Saw only one couple on a hike to view sunset at Potato Harbor and saw no one on our hike to Smugglers Cove and Yellowbanks, then looping back. However, Cavern Point loop hike was quite busy, probably due to the day guests.. Beautiful scenery everywhere. Surprised by and immensely enjoyed the diverse ecosystems. Great to see the cute island fox, multitude of birds at Smugglers Cove and lots of dolphins on the return boat trip. Lucked out - weather was perfect!
James G
VerifiedMay 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Lower Loop
Very clean and tranquil!!
Srijith N
VerifiedMay 12, 2024 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: Lower Loop
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David S
VerifiedMay 7, 2024 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Lower Loop
Campground is well protected from the winds and has easy access to water and vault toilets. Some campsites have little shade but site 3 is well shaded. The walk from the boat is short with no elevation change. I definitely had a great time but it’s probably highly dependent on the weather you get! I stayed 2 nights and saw everything to see in this part of Santa Cruz island
Amy G
VerifiedMay 3, 2024 • Stayed at: 025, Loop: Upper Loop
I LOVED my adventure at Santa Cruz Island and the Upper Loop Campground was absolutely beautiful!!! I stayed at site #25 and I was surrounded by endless meadows and hills. It was breathtaking and I will definitely stay there again. Some highlights of my outing to Santa Cruz were the Sea Caves Kayak tour, hiking to Potato Harbor, sunset near Cavern Point and a hike to Smugglers Cove the next morning. This island is such a hidden gem and one of the least visited National Parks. Please check it out as it's only a one hour ferry ride from Ventura, CA!!!
Sarah T
VerifiedMay 2, 2024 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: Upper Loop
Incredible experience; hikes were fairly well-marked, views were spectacular. Pit-toilets were well stocked in the campground. Trees at the campsites seemed to support hammocks (though our party did not use). No fires allowed. Foxes in fact did try to steal our food.
Jennifer L
VerifiedMay 2, 2024 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: Lower Loop
We got to spend 2 nights on this beautiful island. It was the perfect amount of time. We hiked to Smuggler's Cove and Potato Overlook, watched the sunset from Cavern Point, and did a kayak tour. It was windy but manageable. The water is good to drink. Site 13 doesn't have much shade during the day but it wasn't very hot so it was ok. I can't wait to come back some day.
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
