Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates31 total sites
Tent Sites
31 sites
About Santa Cruz Scorpion
Number of accommodations: 31
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Birding
Hiking
Kayaking
Year-round
Birding
Hiking
Spring
Kayaking
Summer
Kayaking
Fall
Kayaking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Picnic Table
Restrooms
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
Water Access
- Beach Access
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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Site Details
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31 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (622)
What Guests Are Saying
Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground offers a beautiful and peaceful setting with excellent opportunities for kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking, making it a fantastic destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors praised the well-maintained campsites, stunning views, and friendly ranger staff, highlighting the unique wildlife and serene atmosphere. However, some noted issues with restroom cleanliness and accessibility from the ferry, but overall, the experience was highly positive, encouraging repeat visits.
What Guests Are Saying
Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground offers a beautiful and peaceful setting with excellent opportunities for kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking, making it a fantastic destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors praised the well-maintained campsites, stunning views, and friendly ranger staff, highlighting the unique wildlife and serene atmosphere. However, some noted issues with restroom cleanliness and accessibility from the ferry, but overall, the experience was highly positive, encouraging repeat visits.
Review Summary
Jacqueline G
VerifiedApril 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Lower Loop
The island was absolutely beautiful! Lot of wildflowers. Only rained at night and had a wonderful conversation with Mithra, the ranger on duty. She was so positive and helpful. Loved the visit!
David H
VerifiedApril 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Lower Loop
We had an ok stay in the Channel Islands, but wish park staff was more proactive in cleaning pit toilets and maintaining campground trails which were muddy and difficult to traverse.
Katie C
VerifiedApril 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Lower Loop
Great campground in a eucalyptus tree grove. Bathrooms and potable water nearby. Not much privacy between campsites but still delightful!
Jay L
VerifiedApril 3, 2023 • Stayed at: A, Loop: Upper Loop
The whole island was amazing. I recommend hiking Montanon Ridge and Smuggler's Cove. The foxes were adorable and it was great to see all the wildlife on the island. I can't wait to come back soon!
Melissa R
VerifiedApril 1, 2023 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: Lower Loop
The beauty and quiet of a small campground after day trippers leave can’t be beat. Site 22 is very well shaded which is great for shelter on sunny days but doesn’t bode well for rainy weather as the ground doesn’t dry out and the useable parts of the site are in a slight depression due to trees around the perimeter. Deep mud puddle directly in front of fox box made use a challenge. It does have privacy on one side due to large bush that blocks off the vault toilet and trailhead up the road.
Kenan S
VerifiedMarch 24, 2023 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: Lower Loop
Really awesome campsite! Very peaceful and serene. The Island is very beautiful! The check in and out process was very easy.
Natalie T
VerifiedMarch 24, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: Lower Loop
We got lucky with very few other campers and had a serene experience. Can’t wait to go back!
Nicholas P
VerifiedMarch 22, 2023 • Stayed at: D, Loop: Upper Loop
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Francisco S
VerifiedMarch 20, 2023 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: Lower Loop
Santa Cruz Island has become a yearly pilgrimage with friends and family to unwind. Its a relatively easy place to feel exceptionally far away from
It all. The boat here is an adventure before you even land on the shore. Camping area is mostly shaded with easy access to two water faucets. Highly recommend a guided sea cave kayaking tour, accessible to most ages (I take my currently 10 year old niece every year). Hike to smugglers cove is worth the effort. Potato harbor is easy to get to. Was here March 12 and there was a decent amount of wild flowers. Great pics!
Sarabeth B
VerifiedMarch 20, 2023 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: Lower Loop
Such a beautiful site. Very quiet and at night you can hear the toads and crickets. The site is also pretty large.
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.
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: September 10, 2026
