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
Mark M
VerifiedJune 25, 2023 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Lower Loop
2 is the best and most private site in the lower loop.
Jessica B
VerifiedJune 22, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: Lower Loop
Absolutely fantastic experience! We saw foxes, dolphins, bald eagles, and a seal. The landscape is beautiful and varied between rolling hills and ocean. Worth the effort to reach the island and stay the night!
Bruce H
VerifiedJune 15, 2023 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: Lower Loop
excellent facilities maintenance.
Jane L
VerifiedJune 15, 2023 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: Lower Loop
My group and I went in the beginning of June. During this time there were lots of school or camp groups, so the noise level was really loud w screaming kids. I thought I’d share in case anyone is hoping for a quiet camp experience.
LAN H
VerifiedJune 14, 2023 • Stayed at: 025, Loop: Upper Loop
Amazing! Best campsite I’ve had ever. My only suggestion is bring your own water, although it is claimed the water is drinkable - I personally do feel a bit uncomfortable with the taste of the tap water. Great experience and will be back again to explore more.
Paula H
VerifiedJune 13, 2023 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: Lower Loop
We spent four days camping on Santa Cruz Island and loved it! The Scorpion Campground is an easy walk from the dock. Kids loved playing in the sand on the beach. Adults really enjoyed the kayaking into the sea caves. Even with lots of school kids on their end-of-year trips, the campground felt spacious enough for all. Highly recommended!
Chris R
VerifiedJune 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Lower Loop
Great campground! This area is in a shaded valley and is pretty protected from the wind. Each site has a fox box, picnic table, and an area to set up your tent. The lower campground has 1 set of toilets and 2 water supplies. It is only a short 1/4 mile walk from the dock. I highly recommend staying here over only taking a short day trip to the island!
Mike S
VerifiedJune 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Lower Loop
Such a great time. This was a recon trip before going back with a kayak as I was concerned about logistics of it all. Hiked to Smugglers, Potato Harbor, Cavern Peak - all great. Foxes of course were very cute and curious. Boats ran on time both directions which was great. Saw a huge pod of dolphins on the way back after watching two eagles battle with two seagulls for some fish in the harbor. Wow!
Kan F
VerifiedJune 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Lower Loop
Close to nature, hiking trails, and had encounters with island foxes. Lush green around campsite, and close to drinking water and dock. It is an excellent island getaway camping experience.
Kristin F
VerifiedJune 3, 2023 • Stayed at: C, Loop: Upper Loop
Santa Cruz Island was magical. We were here at the beginning of May. Everything was so green. Wildflowers were blooming everywhere. We stayed in group site C, which is an easy walk about 0.8 miles from the boat dock. The group sites are spread apart, most have some shade, and the bathrooms were kept clean, but there is only one for all the sites, so there was a long line in the morning. The hikes we did had spectacular views of the hills on one side, and ocean on the other. We will definitely be back!
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
