Tent Sites
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.
Helpful
About Santa Cruz Scorpion
Fantastic ocean views and relaxing beach time is practically guaranteed at Scorpion Canyon Campground, the most family-friendly campsite on Santa Cruz Island. Set on the eastern part of the island, the campground is a short hike from the pier and is sheltered from harsh ocean winds.
The largest of California's Channel Islands, Santa Cruz Island is one of the five islands that make up the Channel Islands National Park. The island is rich in cultural history, magnificent landscapes, and unique flora and fauna. Native American Indians inhabited the island for over 10,000 years and Europeans explored and ranched on the island for over 150 years. Over 600 plant species, 140 land birds, 11 land mammals and a handful of amphibians and reptiles call the island their home. The island fox and island scrub-jay are exciting finds, as they're unique to the island, found nowhere else in the world.
For more information about Santa Cruz Island visit: https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/santa-cruz-island.htm .
Available sites
31 total sitesActivities & Attractions
Nearby
Birding
Year-round
Hiking
Year-round
Kayaking
Spring
Summer
Fall
Year-round
Birding
Nearby
Hiking
Nearby
Spring
Kayaking
Nearby
Summer
Kayaking
Nearby
Fall
Kayaking
Nearby
Seasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
365 Days
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Picnic Table
Restrooms
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
Water Access
- Beach Access
Missing information?
Rates, Sites & Availability
Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.
31 Sites Available
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001, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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002, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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003, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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004, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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005, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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006, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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007, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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008, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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009, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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010, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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011, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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012, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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013, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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014, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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015, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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016, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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017, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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018, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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019, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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020, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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021, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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022, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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023, Loop: Upper Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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024, Loop: Upper Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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025, Loop: Upper Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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A, Loop: Upper Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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B, Loop: Upper Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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C, Loop: Upper Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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D, Loop: Upper Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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E, Loop: Upper Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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F, Loop: Upper Loop
Tent
Yes shade
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
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Site Details
Select a site to view details
31 Sites Available
Site
Price
⛺
001, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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002, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
003, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
004, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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005, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
006, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
007, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
008, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
009, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
010, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
011, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
012, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
013, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
014, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
015, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
016, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
017, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
018, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
019, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
020, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
021, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
022, Loop: Lower Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
023, Loop: Upper Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
024, Loop: Upper Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
025, Loop: Upper Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
A, Loop: Upper Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
B, Loop: Upper Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
C, Loop: Upper Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
D, Loop: Upper Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
E, Loop: Upper Loop
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
F, Loop: Upper Loop
Tent
Yes shade
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
654 reviews
Summary
Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground offers a beautiful and peaceful setting with excellent opportunities for kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking, making it a fantastic destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors praised the well-maintained campsites, stunning views, and friendly ranger staff, highlighting the unique wildlife and serene atmosphere. However, some noted issues with restroom cleanliness and accessibility from the ferry, but overall, the experience was highly positive, encouraging repeat visits.
Based on guest feedback
4.8
Overall rating
Based on 654 reviews
5 stars
85.6% (560)
4 stars
9.3% (61)
3 stars
2.9% (19)
2 stars
1.2% (8)
1 star
0.9% (6)
Showing 654 reviews
Verified Only
Sort by: Newest First
Tracy B
VerifiedOctober 12, 2021 Stayed at: 022, Loop: Lower Loop
Great get away.
Helpful
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.
Helpful
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.
Helpful
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.
Helpful
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.
Helpful
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.
Helpful
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.
Helpful
Katherine R
VerifiedOctober 1, 2021 Stayed at: 009, Loop: Lower Loop
Quiet, remote, beautiful bring everything you need or do without. Hikes amazing. Exceeded expectations!!
Helpful
Hong Y
VerifiedSeptember 30, 2021 Stayed at: 017, Loop: Lower Loop
Spacious campground with well maintained restrooms. Foxs are so cute!
Helpful
Location & Directions for Santa Cruz Scorpion
1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001 United States
Elevation: 7 ft
Getting There
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.
Highway access
The campground is accessible via Highway 101, with interchanges at Victoria or Seaward providing access to Ventura Harbor.
Near Channel Islands National Park
The closest entrance is: Scorpion Anchorage Pier (Santa Cruz Island)
Approximate drive: 0.4 mi · 1 min
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: October 24, 2026
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Explore Ventura, CA
Nearby city: Oxnard, CA
Approx. 24 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 36 ft
Ventura, CA
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