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
Penny P
VerifiedFebruary 5, 2026 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: Lower Loop
Scorpion campground and the campsite was beautiful. Unfortunately I fell returning from a hike to Potato Harbor on a washed out portion of the trail coming down and had to leave the island to go to ER. Be aware you truly are ON YOUR OWN here, regardless of your situation, condition or circumstances. I travel the national parks and this was the first time I have ever been injured, as well as the first time I have ever encountered a park ranger who was less than extraordinarily helpful. A very heartbreaking experience.
Laura M
VerifiedJanuary 28, 2026 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Lower Loop
Beautiful campsite! Very peaceful and quiet. The island fox are fun to watch, but they are looking for food- definitely use the "Fox boxes."
Timothy D
VerifiedJanuary 18, 2026 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: Lower Loop
Pleasant campground. Great hiking opportunities. Prepared for rain and mud: glad to have both boots and camp shoes as advised and only had light overnight showers. Good to be self-sufficient though ranger support was available and prepared for an extra night if water conditions lead to a boat cancellation. Our experience could not have been better with excellent weather and calm waters. The online information about the islands was very helpful in planning for our trip.
Do be mindful of the foxes. Keep the storage box closed unless you are right there. I briefly turned my back and one dashed into the box to grab our food back. He quickly dropped it when I reacted but it was a good lesson for me. They are wonderful to see, just respect their stealth quickness.
Keenu M
VerifiedJanuary 9, 2026 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Lower Loop
One of the best campsites I've ever camped at, highly recommend
Eric C
VerifiedJanuary 6, 2026 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: Upper Loop
The park rangers were extremely helpful, ensuring that we enjoyed our stay.
Mitchell G
VerifiedJanuary 5, 2026 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Lower Loop
great campsite beautiful trails easy access. the facilities worked out great and made the experience enjoyable.
Samuel C
VerifiedJanuary 5, 2026 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Lower Loop
Rangers were great accommodations were simple to confirm and easier to get and that is all before even mentioning the park.
John B
VerifiedDecember 27, 2025 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Lower Loop
We camped in late December and felt like we had the entire island to ourselves. The campground was only 25% full. A great experience.
Evan J
VerifiedDecember 27, 2025 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Lower Loop
A beautifully quiet and windswept island recovering from decades of ranching.
Plenty of toilets and running water at the campground. Do not forget a proper way to pack out your trash. Bring your snorkeling gear and a wetsuit!
Siddharth D
VerifiedDecember 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Lower Loop
Wonderful campground, foxes come by early in the morning!
No showers, but everything else very well maintained!
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
