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
Oliver O
VerifiedMarch 17, 2026 • Stayed at: 021, Loop: Lower Loop
The campsite got a good amount of shade throughout the day. Nearby restroom is close but not too close. Campsite has one of the two water spigots just on the other side of a large bush, so no long walks to fill up your water bottles. The highlight of the site is the view it has of the valley between the two hills.
Shannon S
VerifiedMarch 14, 2026 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Lower Loop
This trip was one of my favorite camping/national parks experiences I’ve ever had. The boat ride over was amazing, island packers provided a top service experience, the rangers were super friendly and helpful, the campground was lovely and all the hiking on the island was dreamy, varied and full of cutie island foxes. Such an amazing and unique experience, would go back in a heartbeat.
Karen M
VerifiedMarch 10, 2026 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: Lower Loop
well organized, anticipated lighting needs in restroom with solar lights (civilized!). Ranger was calm and knowledgeable when giving us info about changes in schedule due to Gale Force winds, very appreciated. Trails were signposted and kept well. Campsite was great. we made sure to cancel our camp site when we heard the boat was canceled; it would be great if any cancellation of either boats or campsites could trigger communication with each other, and confirm both are cancelled (for campers only).
David E
VerifiedMarch 8, 2026 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Lower Loop
Great campground in a great spot
Lucy P
VerifiedMarch 7, 2026 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: Upper Loop
This place is so awesome! So many trails to hike too!
shelley p
VerifiedFebruary 22, 2026 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: Lower Loop
This island is beautiful, camping is unique and the rangers are fabulous.
P L
VerifiedFebruary 19, 2026 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: Upper Loop
Beautiful camp site in a beautiful location. Well maintained with easy access to all trails on the island. I’ll be back!
Evan G
VerifiedFebruary 11, 2026 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Lower Loop
A delightfully protected and beautiful campground. Being in this valley, the sounds from nearby sites travel easily, but all campers were, by and large, respectful of quiet hours.
Potable water is, indeed, potable!
Lots of great access to multiple hiking trails, and a short walk to the ferry dock.
Plenty of island fox sightings, but they are generally pretty shy, but still a great idea to keep all your food/goods in your bear box. Bear boxes can accommodate a padlock for safe-keeping of items, too.
Keegan P
VerifiedFebruary 10, 2026 • Stayed at: 025, Loop: Upper Loop
Santa Cruz is such a special spot. Big thanks to everyone working to preserve Island. To any first-timers: bring your hiking shoes and explore as much as you can. Smugglers’ cove is a great first day outing fresh off the boat. The bluffs off cavern point trail are great for sunset. Oil well trail off scorpion loop is a cool spot to rest and see a rusty remnant of the island’s turn of the century history.
Kathy P
VerifiedFebruary 10, 2026 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Lower Loop
Primitive camplng, but we loved the quiet beautiful night. We enjoyed the hikes and the kids got another Jr Ranger badge. What a great memory!
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
