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
Ryan S
VerifiedOctober 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: Lower Loop
Really a beautiful island. You can't go wrong with any of the hikes. The camping spaces were large.
Jason M
VerifiedOctober 13, 2021 • Stayed at: 021, Loop: Lower Loop
Very unique location and worth staying a day or two :D
Corinne C
VerifiedOctober 12, 2021 • Stayed at: F, Loop: Upper Loop
We stayed in the upper camping area and it was like a little magical oasis. Was easy access to hop onto the potato trail. There was a great tree on our site to hang hammocks, water and bathroom were really close. Loved the experience.
Tracy B
VerifiedOctober 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: Lower Loop
Great get away.
Hannah L
VerifiedOctober 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Lower Loop
Beautiful island and worth spending the night so you can take a longer hike or kayak trip.
Keith G
VerifiedOctober 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: Upper Loop
Clean campgrounds. Fair distance apart from other campsites. Close to facilities such as the latrine and potable water. Overall good experience.
Tyler F
VerifiedOctober 5, 2021 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: Lower Loop
Very cool park that gets overlooked. I have been to 26 national parks all over the country, including Hawaii and Alaska. Possibly the best 24 hours that I spent in a national park. Saw whales on the ferry, pod of hundreds of dolphins. Unique plant and animal life on the island. The water was cold but I highly recommend snorkeling the kelp forests and be sure to rent a kayak and bring it with you to explore sea caves. I also highly recommend walking around the island in the moonlight if possible.
Natalie C
VerifiedOctober 5, 2021 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: Lower Loop
We really enjoyed our camping experience at Santa Cruz Scorpion. The campsite are very nice and there is plentiful water available near the sites which was an unexpected surprise. The camp sites are large and easily accessible from the docking area. There is also lots of shade at every camp site.
Dennis F
VerifiedOctober 2, 2021 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: Lower Loop
My friend and I spent two nights at the campground at Scorpion Cove. The area is mostly covered by tall Eucalyptus trees, each site has a picnic type table. The restrooms were adequate and cleaned daily. Our fellow campers we found were friendly and sociable. We had the opportunity to take guided hikes or hike with out guides. Trails are clearly marked and there were plenty to go off and tour around the island. We also took advantage of a kayak tour we added to our visit of which we paddled to various sea caves. Overall it was a grand experience.
Ryan J
VerifiedOctober 2, 2021 • Stayed at: 021, Loop: Lower Loop
Nice campgrounds with big trees. Clean bathrooms. Great trails and ocean views. Picnic table and fox box were nicely sized. Professional and friendly rangers. We got a campsite reservation first, then boat reservations.
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
