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
Chynna C
VerifiedNovember 6, 2022 • Stayed at: F, Loop: Upper Loop
We loved our stay at Santa Cruz. Definitely the cleanest and nicest pit toilet I’ve ever seen. Highly recommended
Naseem B
VerifiedNovember 2, 2022 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Lower Loop
Campsite at SCI was well-maintained and lovely. The pit toilets were fine. The bathrooms themselves were kept clean. The pit toilets were gross, but that's to be expected. I was a bit nervous sleeping under the eucalyptus trees, fearing they'd drop branches and crush us, as I've witnessed a close call before (not on Channel Islands). Hoping the park does their part to maintain the trees. All in all, a wonderful trip. The campground is an easy 5-7 min walk from the ferry -- wouldn't even call it a hike. Can't wait to go back.
Mike W
VerifiedNovember 2, 2022 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: Lower Loop
It was like traveling back in time. PURE. PRISTINE. SILENT. What a special place.
Alfonso G
VerifiedOctober 31, 2022 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: Lower Loop
Well maintained island. Thank you!
Keala S
VerifiedOctober 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Lower Loop
Camping in the lower loop was great for our one night stay. The walk from the beach is short and easy to do. Potable water nearby was a nice convenience and the bathrooms were well maintained as well. Highly recommend hiking and kayaking while on the island.
Sean M
VerifiedOctober 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Lower Loop
Lots of easy trails to hike. Snorkeling is great, bring a wetsuit. Foxes are cute until the run off with something.
Stephen B
VerifiedOctober 27, 2022 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: Lower Loop
Facilities and staff all great. Well organized experience for us. Could not have been better. Even the weather cooperated.
Thomas W
VerifiedOctober 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 025, Loop: Upper Loop
epic
Olga N
VerifiedOctober 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Lower Loop
Camped on Site 12. To put it straight - that is the site with the least privacy on the entire campground. Feels totally amorphous, you have no vegetation to outline the boundaries and you are literally in the spotlight for everyone- your neighbors, for day-trip hikers, who pass by. no constant shade. But lots of room - you are a big group (max.6) you can pitch six tents:)
Carolyn C
VerifiedOctober 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: Upper Loop
When the island is busy, Upper campground is SO much nicer than the Lower Campground (lots of loud groups close together). If you can, grab one of the two 6-person sites at Upper Campground... a little farther than Lower but totally worth it :)
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
