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
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Site Details
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31 Sites Available
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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
Gregory S
VerifiedMarch 29, 2024 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: Lower Loop
Waking up to the smell of the eucalyptus trees in the Lower grove felt like a dream - the views just up the hill were incredible - and the water/facilities were good.
Kyle M
VerifiedMarch 27, 2024 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: Lower Loop
Amazing campground on an amazing island. Location was very central to all hiking trails. The facilities were clean and nearby. The walk from the dock was doable but I'm glad I brought my wagon. Overall it was an amazing trip! Highly recommend!
Christopher A
VerifiedMarch 26, 2024 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: Lower Loop
This was the most surprising national park I have ever been to. Such a magical experience. Shoutout to Doug who delighted us with his guided star tour and enchanted us with his National Park songs.
Paul P
VerifiedMarch 22, 2024 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: Upper Loop
Great place to get away from the crows and have quite time/great views.
Audrey F
VerifiedMarch 20, 2024 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: Lower Loop
It was great! Heads up - I called and asked ahead of time if I could bring a hammock instead of a tent, and it is allowed, but some campsites do not have enough/ properly spaced out trees. So it's a gamble. I believe site 16 had at least one spot where a hammock could be put up
Tommy S
VerifiedMarch 19, 2024 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: Lower Loop
Everything was well maintained. Trails were clearly marked. Campsite bathrooms were remarkably clean.
Caitlin S
VerifiedMarch 17, 2024 • Stayed at: E, Loop: Upper Loop
The campground was great. The island foxes are adorable. Make sure to bring carabiners for your tent to clip zippers together. The foxes and raven can and will unzip the tents and backpacks and go through them! There are pit toilets and potable water, making it as close as you can get to car camping on an island. If volunteer Doug is working he's a treat! Sing-a-longs, documentary screenings and star gazing are all worth doing.
Aurora B
VerifiedMarch 17, 2024 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Lower Loop
Cavern Point to Potato Harbor overlook is definitely worth hiking the views were stunning. Scorpion Canyon Loop trail was a bit more challenging worth hiking. The visitor center is very small and cute but shares some important history of the island. The campsites where well shaded, all staff on island were very friendly.
Sarah A
VerifiedMarch 16, 2024 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Lower Loop
One of the best campsites in California! Unfortunately, you must put everything (including *empty* packs) in the bear boxes. The crows know how to open zippers and inspect. Monitor items closely when on the beach for the same reason.
Allison T
VerifiedMarch 16, 2024 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: Lower Loop
One of my favorite national park trips yet for many reasons, and March was a perfect time to visit. Before even getting to the island, we were already blown away. We were fortunate enough to see two grey whales on our Island Packers ferry ride along with plenty of friendly dolphins. When you pull up to the island, it feels like another world. The lush green landscape, flowers blooming, and crashing waves takes your breath away.
We camped at site #16 in the lower campground which was clean, well-maintained, and a short walk from the ferry dock and hiking trails. We hiked the Potato Harbor trail which wasn’t too strenuous and offered some gorgeous cliff side views.
Once the sun went down, volunteer ranger Doug put on a star gazing info session in which a group of us laid on the pier while Doug talked about the constellations and the close Native American historical ties of the island. This was my favorite part of the trip - Doug has a special way of making you perfectly connected to this beautiful national park, and provided a chance to reflect on how lucky we are to experience something like this. If anyone has a chance to attend one of Doug’s talks, this is your sign to do it! You will not be disappointed. Thank you Doug and thank you Channel Islands!
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
