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
Dinesh W
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2022 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: Lower Loop
Loved it. So beautiful.
megan w
VerifiedJanuary 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Lower Loop
Always a pleasure at Scorpion! Facilities were very well taken care of. Campers were respectful and quiet, even on New Years Eve.
Monika H
VerifiedJanuary 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: Lower Loop
Fantastic island. Given how remote the location is, we were impressed with the park's amenities (very clean bathrooms). Would highly recommend to anyone looking to spend some time in nature!
Bradley D
VerifiedJanuary 6, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Lower Loop
Hiked in from Del Norte backcountry campsite/Prisoners Cove. Scorpion Ranch was beautiful. The off season is definitely where its at. Me and my buddy were the only humans there for hours until a volunteer ranger showed up via massive Ocean NSP ranger boat (SICK!).
The Foxes and Ravens aren’t afraid of getting all up in your business so make sure to put EVERYTHING in the bear canisters before heading out to check the coast out. Also, don’t spill boiling hot ramen all over yourself. Will lead to slight burns on your thighs and then the foxes will not leave your site alone the rest of the night.
Campground was very clean as were the toilets. People said the water tasted funny so bring Nuun tablets to counter act that.
Anne B
VerifiedJanuary 5, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Lower Loop
We hiked across the island and I would suggest it to anyone visiting. You just can't experience the island fully without getting into the mountains!
Tianjiao Z
VerifiedDecember 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 021, Loop: Lower Loop
Amazing site. Very curious island foxes very ready to sneak food so be careful. Super awesome ranger. Very Idyllic place. The best campground bathrooms I have seen hands down.
Dainius M
VerifiedDecember 29, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Lower Loop
Wonderfull campground secluded under the canopy of eucalyptus trees. Clean and organized and simple. Just remember + no open files or charcoal. Also really pay attention to food as the foxes are watching you, and our neighbours went hungry after forgetting to lock the food into the metal box. No food at all is available on the island. Have a great time as we did
Lindsey O
VerifiedDecember 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: Lower Loop
beautiful campground, great location
Katharine M
VerifiedDecember 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Lower Loop
Camped for three nights in the lower loop during mid-December. It gets DARK after 5pm so bring a book if you're by yourself. It rained two of three nights which made the trails muddy/slippery; otherwise would have done a stargazing hike to fill the evening hours. So if it's solitude you want, you can have it! Anyway: The vault toilets were clean and spacious; the only potable water spigots I could find were in both campground loops. You may be able to get cell phone reception at the end of the pier (I have Google Fi, worked half the time). The foxes are no joke: One jumped up on the bench across from me while I was eating at the table. Please don't feed the wildlife!! I also met some campers that went to Prisoners Harbor / Del Norte first, then hiked to Scorpion and camped again. I wish I had thought of that!
Christopher F
VerifiedDecember 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Lower Loop
Great experience, the Foxes never get old.
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
