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
Andy M
VerifiedNovember 5, 2021 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Lower Loop
The island was incredible. Watch out for those foxes though, they will poop and pee all over your stuff to show you who owns the place.
Kim T
VerifiedNovember 5, 2021 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Lower Loop
Absolutely gorgeous island and campground. I stayed in campsite 14 for 3 nights/4 days and loved every second of it. I went alone and this was the best solo adventure I've been on so far. Four days of hiking, kayaking and camping alone just can't be beat. I hiked to Smugglers Cove and no one else was there! I had the entire cove to myself for 3 hours, it was amazing. I only have one complaint - all the day tourists. If you're a day tourist, please respect the campers and don't come into our campsite. Way too many people wandered into my campsite, right up to my tent even. Others allowed their young children to chase the foxes right into my campsite. One woman stood on the trail while her toddler crawled under my picnic table after a fox, while I was sitting there eating! She just shrugged at me. Then he ran to the campsite next to me and snooped around their tent, even trying to see inside and messing with the items on their picnic table, while chasing this poor fox. The mom then came over and joined him, also snooping around. Please respect that we paid for the campsite, this is our "private space" while we are there and our personal belongings are there. It's incredibly rude, disrespectful and selfish to "trespass" on someone's privacy like that. If you're day tourist, please stick to the trails and leave the campers, and their site and gear, alone. Otherwise I love this island and will most definitely be back.
Drew C
VerifiedNovember 5, 2021 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Lower Loop
The drive to privatize access to the outdoor experience for the general public is time consuming and a bit awkward. I did appreciate the phone access and help I received from the park service. Island Packers where also very helpful and professional. The pervasive trend towards trash, including micro trash at the camp spots is a bummer. The kayaking concessionaire had equipment and gear spread out on the beach in the same area that "private" Kayakers were supposed to put there gear. When we first saw the beach after a heavy rain and wind storm it looked like some catastrophe had occurred, but over the next 3 days it was apparent this is the norm. When waiting for the outbound ferry my gear was rifled through out of one of the metal boxes. I realize that there is not much the Park Service can do about the general publics decline of mores but maybe some reminders about trash and personal respect of others gear may help spark some positive response. I did interact with many positive and helpful park staff, volunteers, and park visitors. Thank you for the experience.
Mariela M
VerifiedNovember 5, 2021 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: Lower Loop
Great hiking and the campground was well kept. Water spigot for drinking water was very accessible and pit toilets were very clean. Our stay on the island was amazing and can’t wait to plan a return trip back.
William D
VerifiedNovember 4, 2021 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Lower Loop
Campsites are great. Shade is nice, water works, pit toilets are nice-ish for pit toilets. In the middle of everything, and just an incredible place. Campground was noticeably less windy than the surrounding area.
Just take down those massive eucalyptus trees and let's get something native that's good for the island ecology!
Ayesha B
VerifiedNovember 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: Lower Loop
Nice campground under eucalyptus trees. However a lot of campers bring ultra-bright lanterns that destroy everyones night vision!
Dana R
VerifiedNovember 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Lower Loop
Wonderful campground and experience on the island!
Gary C
VerifiedNovember 2, 2021 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: Lower Loop
Great experiences! I was able to kayak, snorkel, hike and fish and loved it all so much that I almost missed the ferry!
David L
VerifiedOctober 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: Lower Loop
Great place. Given that snorkeling and kayaking are two of the main activities, it would benefit tremendously by having showers available, though.
Eileen A
VerifiedOctober 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Lower Loop
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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. |
