Santa Cruz Island 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.
More like this: reservable in California · tent only in California · group sites in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Tent-only | 25 |
| Group tent areas | 6 |
Site guide
31 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Lower Loop | Tent only | Partial | Island | 6 / – | No | No |
| 002 | Lower Loop | Tent only | Partial | Island, | 6 / – | No | No |
| 003 | Lower Loop | Tent only | Partial | Island, | 6 / – | No | No |
| 004 | Lower Loop | Tent only | Partial | Island, | 6 / – | No | No |
| 005 | Lower Loop | Tent only | Partial | Island, | 6 / – | No | No |
| 006 | Lower Loop | Tent only | Partial | Island, | 6 / – | No | No |
| 007 | Lower Loop | Tent only | Partial | Island, | 6 / – | No | No |
| 008 | Lower Loop | Tent only | Partial | Island, | 6 / – | No | No |
| 009 | Lower Loop | Tent only | Partial | Island, | 6 / – | No | No |
| 010 | Lower Loop | Tent only | Partial | Island, | 6 / – | No | No |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
Primitive camping is available at Scorpion Canyon Campground with 25 individual sites which accommodate up to six persons per site; and six group sites with up to 15 persons per site. Picnic table, food storage box, pit toilet, and water are provided. The campground is a flat 1/2 mile to 1 mile hike from the pier. Access to the island is by Island Packers Cruises or by private boat.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
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.
| Nearest town | Ventura, California |
| Coordinates | 34.0482° N, 119.5616° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Over 600 plant species, 140 land birds, 11 land mammals and a handful of amphibians and reptiles call the island their home.
Fire nearby
- WildfireBryson
42 mi from the campground · 200 acres · 0% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Boater's World ↗ | 21.6 mi |
| Dump station | Carpinteria State Beach ↗ | 23.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Harder RV Storage ↗ | 29.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Novice Camping and Hiking on Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Ranch Review
Worth a stop
Hiking options are unlimited and offer spectacular coastal views. Try the 2 mile round-trip Cavern Point Loop hike for views of the island's mountain peaks, and the southern California coastline. This popular hike takes you past antique ranching equipment and historic buildings for a taste of island ranch history. For more advanced hikers, tackle the 7.5-mile round-trip hike from the campground to Smugglers Cove.
- 0.2 miScorpion Ranch Visitor Center On Santa Cruz Island ↗Visitor center
- 11.6 miVisitor Center Anacapa Island ↗Visitor center
Other campgrounds nearby
Natural features
The beach near the campground is a mix of sand and rocks, and faces the Santa Barbara Channel. The campground is located in a valley with a mixture of trees and shrubs. Rugged mountain peaks rise above the campground to 1,808 feet.
Recreation
With its easy beach access and generally good weather, this area offers the most recreational activities in the park, including hiking, swimming, snorkeling, diving, kayaking and wildlife/wildflower viewing. There are no services on the island, so all gear has to be brought to the island. Guided kayak trips and kayak rentals must be arranged before arriving on the island.
Guidebooks for Channel Islands National Park and California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Santa Cruz Island Scorpion?
Sites at Santa Cruz Island Scorpion are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Santa Cruz Island Scorpion?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Santa Cruz Island Scorpion have?
31 sites, including 25 tent-only sites and 6 group tent areas.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Santa Cruz Island Scorpion?
Santa Cruz Island Scorpion is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Santa Cruz Island Scorpion?
With its easy beach access and generally good weather, this area offers the most recreational activities in the park, including hiking, swimming, snorkeling, diving, kayaking and wildlife/wildflower viewing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Santa Cruz Island Scorpion?
Ventura, California. Hiking options are unlimited and offer spectacular coastal views.
Source: Getting there
What if Santa Cruz Island Scorpion is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry (6.2 mi), Santa Cruz Island Prisoners Harbor (7.2 mi), and Anacapa Island (11.3 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
Which national park is Santa Cruz Island Scorpion in?
Santa Cruz Island Scorpion is a Channel Islands National Park campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.
Source: Channel Islands National Park