About Santa Cruz Scorpion
Number of accommodations: 31
Campground Amenities
-
Beach Access -
Potable Water
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Sites & Availability
31 Sites Available
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Site Details
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31 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (561)
What Guests Are Saying
The Santa Cruz Scorpion campground is highly praised for its beauty, tranquility, and the abundance of wildlife, particularly island foxes. Campers appreciate the well-maintained facilities, easy access to hiking trails, and the support from friendly park rangers. However, visitors noted some challenges with campsite congestion and occasional bathroom cleanliness issues, but overall, the experience is described as unforgettable and worth recommending.
What Guests Are Saying
The Santa Cruz Scorpion campground is highly praised for its beauty, tranquility, and the abundance of wildlife, particularly island foxes. Campers appreciate the well-maintained facilities, easy access to hiking trails, and the support from friendly park rangers. However, visitors noted some challenges with campsite congestion and occasional bathroom cleanliness issues, but overall, the experience is described as unforgettable and worth recommending.
Review Summary
Paul V
VerifiedDecember 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Lower Loop
This is a cool spot situated under a grove of Eucalyptus trees - just watch your food/etc. because you'll have many fox visitors during your stay! Despite being pit toilets, the bathrooms were pretty clean and had a light at night, which made it feel like glamping:) The lower campground might be .25 miles from the historic ranch, which is right after you get off the boat, so it's not far at all.
Jim V
VerifiedDecember 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Lower Loop
With only a small number of campsites, and with few exceptions, everyone comes on the Island Packers ferry, a lot of whom are just there for the day...made for a great, relaxing, not over-crowded campout. Kayaking in the morning, hiking in the afternoons, sunrise and sunset photography. Our Park Ranger was fantastic, always upbeat, positive, and available for questions.
Aiden F
VerifiedDecember 6, 2021 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Lower Loop
Pit toilets. There’s potable drinking water, unlike some of the other islands. Lovely island, but can get very cold at night, so bring lots of layers and a warm sleeping bag.
Jessica T
VerifiedDecember 4, 2021 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Lower Loop
Beautiful location, excellent interpretive rangers, cute wildlife (island foxes)- great experience at the park!
Bartholomew R
VerifiedDecember 4, 2021 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Lower Loop
Excellent trip. The bathrooms were renovated and clean, and the campsite was clear. Other campers around us were friendly and well-spaced.
Yeji Y
VerifiedDecember 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: Lower Loop
We had a great time! We were on the island for two nights, starting out at Scorpion and hiking over to Del Norte for the second night. Campsites were fairly apart from each other, we had easy access to potable water, and clean "outhouses". It was a lot of fun hanging by the beach and also watching small island foxes sniffing for food and attempting to get into the fox bins at any possible second! (Make sure to keep those fox bins closed at all times!) Did some hiking around the available trails near Scorpion which are self explanatory and has amazing views. In case you decide to do something similar to us, (Scorpion to Del Norte), we barely made it each with 2 liter bladders and 64oz bottles. I would recommend bringing an extra water reservoir for the trip over to Del Norte.
Lucia L
VerifiedDecember 1, 2021 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: Upper Loop
we looooved this campsite! it was right next to the canyon mountain range and there was such beautiful sunsets by the picnic table!! definitely unforgettable!!
Gabriela C
VerifiedNovember 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: Lower Loop
Well laid out campground, sites are fairly level and nearly all have shade. Cute island foxes run around all the time. There are some overly "friendly" ravens in the vicinity, too. Just keep a close eye on your food. Beautiful, relaxing, so lovely!
Brittany R
VerifiedNovember 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: Upper Loop
One of my most favorite trips to date! Our site was spacious and the fox box was in great shape.
Michael A
VerifiedNovember 29, 2021 • Stayed at: 025, Loop: Upper Loop
Beautiful location teaming with wildlife. Over two days I was able to see and photograph bald eagles, island foxes, dolphins, and countless other birds. The park ranger there was also extremely helpful and made the experience memorable.
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 34.0482 / -119.562
Elevation: 7 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| General |
Camping reservations are required prior to arriving on the island. There are NO walk-ups at this facility. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
1/2 mile to 1 mile hike to campground. Visitors must carry all their own gear. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
Quiet time is enforced at 10:00 pm. Check-in and check-out times are at 11:00 a.m. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
Visitors are required to pack out what they pack in, including garbage. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
No fishing in marine reserves. California fishing license and ocean enhancement sticker required to fish outside marine reserves. |
| General |
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. |
