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
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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
Luis C
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2025 • Stayed at: D, Loop: Upper Loop
Nice location shaded, water and toilets close by your camping spot. Plenty room for your tent(s). Watch for island foxes! the will chase your food!
Irina K
VerifiedSeptember 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Lower Loop
Great place to visit. The kayaking tour to the caves was our highlight.
Michael H
VerifiedSeptember 6, 2025 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: Lower Loop
Lovely campground in the eucalyptus trees. Boxes provided to store food away from the cute but mischievous foxes. Bathrooms clean, drop toilets. We had a great time.
Jennifer J
VerifiedSeptember 5, 2025 • Stayed at: 021, Loop: Lower Loop
We didn't love the camping here. There was no enforcement of rules. There is a group site right next to this campsite, though not shown on map, where the kayak outfitter folks live. I would not camp here again if you're looking for peace in nature. Island is amazing though! Visit for the day!
Becky J
VerifiedSeptember 4, 2025 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Lower Loop
Wonderful campground with tasty water and simple pit toilets. There are some trees for a bit of shade. Lots of great hiking options.
Eric S
VerifiedSeptember 3, 2025 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Lower Loop
Great and quiet!
James L
VerifiedSeptember 2, 2025 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Lower Loop
Great campground and island. Flush toilets or at least toilets with less smell would be a great improvement. Most sites in the campground are subject to the smell of chemical toilets in the evening hours when the wind is blowing.
Brenda E
VerifiedAugust 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: Lower Loop
This is a beautiful campground. It's very close to the dock, so hauling your gear to your campsite isn't difficult. There's easy access to water and bathroom facilities, and it's quiet and super dark at night making it perfect for stargazing. The night we camped we could easily see the Milkyway and the Big Dipper looked like it was just an arm's length away. Lots of little foxes and ravens in the campground, so secure your food and food-like items in the fox box located at each campsite. No campfires allowed, but camp stoves are ok, and the fox box makes a great surface for cooking. The hiking traails are well marked, well maintained , and lead to beautiful views. There are hikes for every level of hiker from easy to strenuous. Carry plenty of water if you do a long hike because there's no water on the rest of the island. We kayaked to the sea caves the following day and had a great time. Don't forget to bring a snack, water, sunscreen a hat that can be worn under a helmet, and a waterproof phone case with lanyard if you want to take your phone in the kayak. Check out is at 11, which we forgot. Luckily no one was waiting for our space while we were kayaking, so we didn't have to hurry to pack. Our family will definitely be back for another camping trip and will definitely stay at least 2 nights so we can hike the rest of the island and do some snorkeling as well.
Christine B
VerifiedAugust 21, 2025 • Stayed at: E, Loop: Upper Loop
Amazing experience! I came prepared for backpacking type accommodations and was surprised how close and easy to access the campsite was. Folks brought coolers, wagons, etc. from the ferry and you could definitely treat this more as a glamping experience. Easy access to water and pit toilets, trail heads, and a short walk to the visitor center and pier. Highly recommend doing Potato Harbor hike near sunset and taking one of the guided kayak tours if you have time!
Kari S
VerifiedAugust 13, 2025 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Lower Loop
I came with my best friend and her tween, we had the best time together. screen free, gorgeous setting, beautiful hikes and got to do the sea cave kayaking. I had been scared of camping due to a previous big animal encounter elsewhere and getting the chance to be on Santa Cruz island (with no big animals) reaffirmed my love for being in the great outdoors beyond a day hike. couldnt recommend more and I look forward to coming back to this magical place.
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. |
