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
Edwin T
VerifiedMay 21, 2022 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Lower Loop
We brought a high profile tent but it was great even it was little windy. Plenty shade and protection from wind. We loved this site, near the water/not too far from toilet but not too close to it.
It was very handy to bring the foldable cart with us.
We did hiking, kayaking, viewing the beautiful sunset and magnificent full moon. Cute Island foxes everywhere. Park rangers are very friendly and helpful.
Superb holiday!
BTW, we stayed in April but we got bitten by mosquitos...
Julia D
VerifiedMay 21, 2022 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: Upper Loop
We stayed at scorpion for 2 nights in Site 11, lower campground. Would highly recommend upper campground. More private and greener. Surprised it was so brown for early May. Great hikes but you definitely don’t need more than 2 days. Wish we’d gone to other islands but transport between island is my only complaint! Not often enough. Take water on hikes as it’s plentiful at Scorpion….and then double that! Fabulous ride over and back.
John W
VerifiedMay 18, 2022 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: Lower Loop
Great campsites - plenty of space between sites. Smooth areas for tents, good picnic tables at sites, and good pit-toilets. Potable water was easy to access in campground and tasted fairly decent with no treatment. The curious island foxes and birds are no joke - button down your gear! Looking forward to returning.
Anastasia P
VerifiedMay 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 021, Loop: Lower Loop
Clean, excellently maintained site. Wonderful hikes. Loved the experience and booked another trip to Santa Cruz.
Bruce C
VerifiedMay 3, 2022 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Lower Loop
The campsite was clean. The "fox box" lockers were in good working order, and the restrooms were very clean. The rangers were very friendly and entertaining. We had a great time hiking and just hanging around the campsite or beach.
Curtis G
VerifiedApril 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: Lower Loop
Pit toilets regularly stocked with toilet paper, Awesome, shaded campsites, water for cooking available, good picnic tables at each site, and close to dock where you're dropped off. Great experience!
Julie S
VerifiedApril 27, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: Lower Loop
My friends and I camped two nights at Scorpion Ranch and had an amazing experience! Hiking was superb, Park Rangers were super friendly and helpful. Would definitely recommend 10/10!
Michaelann J
VerifiedApril 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Lower Loop
Beautiful campgrounds! love this place will be back!
Very clean restrooms
well maintained trails
The beach is rocky bring aqua shoes.
It gets very windy here, so be prepared to hang out in your tent at times.
I wish they had a sink to wash hands in the restroom.
Janet H
VerifiedApril 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: Lower Loop
Restrooms are close but not too close and the description of the campsite is pretty accurate.
Craig B
VerifiedApril 22, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Lower Loop
Dramatic scenery, friendly guides and park rangers. Well maintained toilets. Was great to get out of the city and back to nature for a while and was the perfect place to do 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
