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
Qyieisha M
VerifiedOctober 23, 2025 ā¢ Stayed at: 004, Loop: Lower Loop
We camped at site 4. There are no trees on the even camp sites that is shed and coverage on the odd sites. The site had a small amount of trash items from previous users. We arrived and noticed someone else property in the food box. The owners eventually returned to recover their items but it was inconvenient and delayed our set up. We booked the adventure Sea Caves Kayak Tour (2.5-3hr on water) tour through Santa Barbara Adventure Co. The tour was great but on the expensive side for a kayaking tour. Our guide, Brad, was passionate and knowledgeable about the tour and the island. The ride over was smooth and boarding was an ease. We hiked to Potato Harbor, which was beyond worth it. Overall this was a great experience.
Bill M
VerifiedOctober 22, 2025 ā¢ Stayed at: 024, Loop: Upper Loop
We had site 24 on the upper loop. You have to deal with noise from all the kids at the group campgrounds, but this opens up to the canyon for a beautiful view and stargazing night. Water is easy. Pit toilets are not horrible. But it's a long walk back there so pack light.
Joseph P
VerifiedOctober 20, 2025 ā¢ Stayed at: C, Loop: Upper Loop
The campsite in the Upper Campground is very secluded and typically quiet, but if there is a rowdy group in one of the other group sites, the sound will carry. Thereās only one tree in this site, so shade is limited, and you wouldnāt be able to hang a hammock like you could in some other sites.
Tessa M
VerifiedOctober 20, 2025 ā¢ Stayed at: F, Loop: Upper Loop
Santa Cruz Island always feels like a world away from regular, busy life on the mainland. The rangers and stewards of this land do an amazing job keeping it safe, beautiful and educational.
Andrew L
VerifiedOctober 17, 2025 ā¢ Stayed at: 017, Loop: Lower Loop
One of my favorite national parks. I wish the park service the best as they struggle with funding cuts, thank you for protecting this wild space.
Adam T
VerifiedOctober 16, 2025 ā¢ Stayed at: 021, Loop: Lower Loop
Great campsite with access to potable water. Vaylt toilets werent the greatest, but cant expect much better from such a remote location. Rangers and all NPS staff were amazing.
John C
VerifiedOctober 12, 2025 ā¢ Stayed at: 009, Loop: Lower Loop
Thank you for the rangers for showing up with the shutdown going on. Park was looking excellent!!!
David E
VerifiedOctober 12, 2025 ā¢ Stayed at: 023, Loop: Upper Loop
Great campground. Beautiful with abundant wildlife and nearby attractions. Good distance between sites. The upper campground is more beautiful, but will mean a little more walking to/from the beach.
Nikki C
VerifiedOctober 12, 2025 ā¢ Stayed at: 022, Loop: Lower Loop
Amazing. Don't let the hike to the campground deter you, it's really easy. We saw plenty of people carting small coolers and even babies š but also was wonderfully quiet with everyone enjoying the island. The waters, hikes, foxes, even the boat ride over, so awesome and worth it.
John B
VerifiedOctober 11, 2025 ā¢ Stayed at: 019, Loop: Lower Loop
Beautiful campsite! Beautiful island!
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
