Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground, Channel Islands National Park, CA

Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground is part of Channel Islands National Park in California (about 23 miles from Oxnard, CA) with an elevation of 20 feet. There are a total of 31 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $15.00 to $40.00. Some amenities include drinking water, swimming, restroom, water sports rental. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.

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Campsite Reviews (316)

4.8 out of 5

5 star		83%
4 star		9%
3 star		4%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

@AmyM7630349 · Camped on Nov 10, 2024 at Campsite #C

We lucked out with beautiful weather--not too windy. Enjoyed kayaking and hiking and relaxing at our camp site. Magical place.

@LaurenS8749134 · Camped on Nov 10, 2024 at Campsite #13

Clean, good tasting water was the best surprise! Plenty of ravens and foxes, but the rangers give you plenty of guidelines to keep your belongings safe and the animals wild. I was so grateful for the fox boxes by the dock to leave our packs while hiking after checking out from the site and before our evening ferry. Definitely recommend checking out El Montanon Loop if looking for a longer hike. Even though it is technically unmaintained, it was super easy to follow the trail and we never got lost. As an intermediate hiker who burned out toward the end, I would definitely try this hike again going clockwise instead of counterclockwise so that there were more outlooks at the end to keep me motivated! If you've got bad knees, counterclockwise is probably your best bet so that you're going uphill on the steepest incline. Absolute favorite view point was the Scorpion Cove Overlook off of Smugglers Road!

@ClaireA2347578 · Camped on Nov 1, 2024 at Campsite #8

Spacious campground under beautiful eucalyptus trees. We backpacked in from Del Norte/Prisoners Harbor. Drop toilets have toilet paper. There are many trails nearby to enjoy exploring the island. We opted for a kayaking excursion, which was a blast!

@KathleenL99212 · Camped on Oct 22, 2024 at Campsite #23

#23 is the closest to the trailhead if arriving from Prisoners/Del Norte, and was definitely a welcome site after that hike. There were no groups present when I was there, so the upper sites were very isolated and quiet. Had a few island foxes milling around. A very quick ~mile to the beach from the furthest campsite. Upper & Lower have similar views/conditions but upper sites seem quieter and further apart, would highly recommend those sites despite the slightly further distance from the pier.

@BenjaminS87598 · Camped on Oct 21, 2024 at Campsite #25

Lovely site! Upper Scorpion gives a bit more privacy and views, assuming no large groups at group sites. 23-25 are the best. Make sure not to miss out on kayaking tour from Channel Island Adventures. Theyre pricey but worth every penny.

@GeraldS3169904 · Camped on Oct 21, 2024 at Campsite #2

Santa Cruz Island is beautiful and has a fascinating history. Seeing the foxes as well as all the birds was really cool and kayaking in the sea caves was awesome.

@RonnD2F74C25AD · Camped on Oct 16, 2024 at Campsite #15

phenomenal views and experiences that we will cherish for a lifetime

@SarahP6892621 · Camped on Oct 14, 2024 at Campsite #16

Rangers were super helpful and everything was clean and maintained.

@RUBENO5E512359 · Camped on Oct 12, 2024 at Campsite #16

This was a uniquely different National Park experience. It involved a ferry crossing with amazing marine wildlife sightings, helping unload the ferry, and opportunities for water activities such as snorkeling and kayaking. The campground was perfect and just the right distance from the beach. The hikes were beautiful.

@EllaV0694E1F97 · Camped on Oct 6, 2024 at Campsite #6

Amazing campsites, cute island foxes, great hikes. Thank you!

@KhanhD3CCD7067 · Camped on Oct 6, 2024 at Campsite #13

Nice, shady, and spacious campsites less than 1/2 miles from boat dock. This campsite has two water spigots nearby. The vaulted toilets are well maintained.

@DebraNDF035AEA · Camped on Sep 23, 2024 at Campsite #4

Campground was very pleasant. Even though we didnt have a tree at our campsite, there was plenty of shade from nearby trees. Only one water spigot in the lower campground so best to try to be close to it. The wind was pretty strong up on the ridges and out on the water, but the campground at scorpion is protected by trees and ridges, so never felt windy. Was pleased to see the bathrooms were cleaned each day (no running water there so water to clean them was brought in a tank).

@JamesM9879118 · Camped on Sep 17, 2024 at Campsite #22

Short flat easy walk from boat to camp. Always shaded. Watch out for thieving ravens and cute but thieving channel island foxes. Dont forget to sign up for kayaking.

@LisaK7683911 · Camped on Sep 17, 2024 at Campsite #4

We boarded the ferry at 9 am for an hour+ boat ride to the island and were met at the dock by a ranger who went over all the rules. We camped for two nights at Scorpion campground, which was a 5-10 minute walk. My site 4 was in full sun but most sites were shady. There were no mosquitos, a few hornets near the water spouts, several island foxes and ravens. You have to keep your food in bear boxes at all times or they will steal your food. The hikes were beautiful and We did the Kayak/snorkel tour which was amazing!

@SusanneP548348 · Camped on Sep 5, 2024 at Campsite #14

Camp Site 14: Location is excellent with only one neighbor, open view into the canyon and big eucalyptus trees. Ample shade and a creek which was dry in September. An island fox and an island scrub jay frequented the site. Short walk for water, slightly longer for bathroom ( which was ok).

@HarlanBEC30438 · Camped on Sep 2, 2024 at Campsite #13

I took the boat over from Ventura (which you have to book separately from the campground reservation) and spent one night at Santa Cruz Scorpion campground. Upon landing Ranger Karen (who was totally awesome) gave a camper introduction to us and then let us loose. There is a little awkwardness between arriving on the island around 10:30 and the campground check-out time being 11 am while the boat leaves at 4:30, so on your leaving day depending on your day plans you might have to be proactive with breaking camp, but there are separate fox boxes for campers just for this so it works out. The island is pretty exposed so definitely wear a hat and sunscreen and stock up on water (plenty of trees and a few water spigots at the campground).There is a morning ranger hike that goes through the campground and up towards Cavern Point. In my day and a half on the island I did the loop up there, as well as the one out to Potato Harbor Vista Point, for some fantastic views and then the Smuggler's Cove trail on the second day (afterward relaxed and did the Junior Ranger handbook in the time before the boat return). Check out the visitor's center on the island for some cool historical info! You can also do various kayaking or snorkeling or swimming, and you can schedule ahead of time a boat ride into the caves on the other side of the island. Check out the Harbor Cove Cafe in Ventura and order to pick up a packed lunch/dinner the morning you leave (I got a turkey sandwich and it was awesome at the end of the first day of hiking).Spending the night overnight on the island was an awesome experience. I've camped a lot and being at a campground so isolated and free of predators (you're not gonna run across a bear on the way to the bathroom at 2 am) and no cars shining lights was wonderful. The island foxes are adorable and really show up in the evening. I got up early to watch the sun rise on the beach. I'd love to return.

@EricT9376713 · Camped on Aug 25, 2024 at Campsite #7

Great campground, cant wait to go back!

@LISAS7216541 · Camped on Aug 25, 2024 at Campsite #F

What an amazing bucket list trip!!

@DianaWDDE13F93 · Camped on Aug 15, 2024 at Campsite #18

Campground was clean, trails were clean and well maintained. Had a great time kayaking in, around and through the caves. Saw a couple of seals, kit foxes and island blue jays.

@KerryW9521238 · Camped on Aug 6, 2024 at Campsite #25

Channel Islands NP is stunning! Highly recommend - day trip is cool, camping was even better. Camp site was spacious to neighboring sites, had a large secure storage box for food/gear, and a shared potable water spigot + multiple enclosed camp toilets. We stayed at the Upper Loop site #25 and it was the absolute best! Quiet, the furthest back into the wild you could go with gorgeous views, and two large Eucalyptus trees for shade (and hammocks!). Not quite a mile walk from the water/docking area and a little further than the Lower Loop site but it was an easy dirt path to get there even hauling gear packs. Easy access to trails right off of the campsite area or main trails closer back to the harbor. Beautiful to just wander around and take it all in. The wildlife is awesome - the foxes are absolutely adorable! We were on fox watch the whole time, they would peruse the campsites in the evening. The ravens are a hoot - but be forewarned, they will steal things lol. The area down by the dock is equipped nicely with more bathrooms, changing areas, storage boxes, etc for day trippers but super convenient for just hanging out down there. The water is chilly but beautiful. Awesome kelp forests and marine life with the protected waters. Our whole experience from booking, to ferry ride out/back, the park rangers, sea kayaking (highly recommend this too! Channel Islands Adventure Company rock!), exploring - all incredible and would 100% do again.

@DAVIDJ6790409 · Camped on Jul 31, 2024 at Campsite #E

Beautiful spot great to visit. Lots of natural beauty. We had a lovely shaded camp site. Nice hikes. Ranger that greeted us off the boat was not very friendly and seemed irritated by her job. Wish we could have rented kayaks out there from the kayak place but only guided tours allowed.

@MattS1245099 · Camped on Jul 31, 2024 at Campsite #9

The campsite is accommodated with "Fox boxes" and adequate space for tents. Not a lot of available trees if you use hammocks to sleep. Guaranteed to see a cat-sized fox unique to the island.

@JacquelinB2FDF · Camped on Jul 26, 2024 at Campsite #E

One of my all-time favorite campsites! It's warm and protected from the winds because of its location in the valley. Plus, it's close to the start of Smuggler's Cove and Potato Harbor, two must-do hikes! Potato Harbor is PERFECT at sunset!

@VERONICAD7C23A · Camped on Jul 25, 2024 at Campsite #17

This is my favorite campground of all and each time I go I have renewed appreciation. It is remote yet accessible, the amenities are sufficient. And the beach and snorkeling are top notch. Great hiking as well!

@VinaL7E2965F26 · Camped on Jul 21, 2024 at Campsite #19

It is a beautiful island and we had a wonderful trip. The water was crystal clear and the kayaking was amazing. Camping was good with facilities (water, bathroom, picnic tables).But there's too much development since we were last there years ago. Crowded boat and lots of people. The Adventure Company who rents gear on the island took up so much of the outdoor space on the island - just to make money on national park land?

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