Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry
For a truly remote getaway full of backpacking and breathtaking scenery, take a backcountry trip to Santa Cruz Island's Del Norte Campground. Del Norte is currently the only backcountry campground on Santa Cruz Island. The National Park Service opened this backcountry site in recognition of its rare wilderness values. As you explore these wild areas, please take the responsibility to help us protect and preserve these delicate natural resources for future generations. Due to difficult weather, rugged terrain, and off-trail hiking, backcountry camping is an arduous endeavor and should be undertaken only by experienced, well-conditioned backpackers.
More like this: reservable in California · tent only in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Tent-only | 8 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
4 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Island | 4 / – | No | No |
| 002 | Island | 4 / – | No | No |
| 003 | Island | 4 / – | No | No |
| 004 | Island | 4 / – | 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 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
The Del Norte Campground has four primitive campsites (four persons per site) and users must camp within these designated sites. A picnic table and pit-style toilet are provided (campers must bring their own toilet paper). Visitors are encouraged to pack as light as possible (backpacking style) as they will need to carry all of their gear, food and water to the campsite. 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, California: Highway 101, exit Victoria or Seaward to Ventura Harbor.
| Nearest town | Ventura, California |
| Coordinates | 34.0108° N, 119.6603° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- While backcountry camping is an incredible experience, it is not for the inexperienced backpacker.
Fire nearby
- WildfireBryson
47 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
| Dump station | Carpinteria State Beach ↗ | 27.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | FCD ↗ | 27.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | Harder RV Storage ↗ | 30.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 6.4 miScorpion Ranch Visitor Center On Santa Cruz Island ↗Visitor center
Other campgrounds nearby
Natural features
Del Norte is nestled in a shaded oak grove and provides scenic views of the island's pristine coastline. 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. The island fox and island scrub-jay are exciting finds, as they're unique to the island, found nowhere else in the world.
Recreation
From Prisoners Harbor, the shortest route to the Del Norte Campground is 3.5 miles via the Del Norte Trail. Follow the Navy Road out of Prisoners Harbor for 1.5 miles (600-foot elevation gain; strenuous). This gravel road is still used daily by vehicles, so please use caution while hiking along it. During winter and spring, visitors need to be prepared for a wet creek crossing at Canada del Puerto in Prisoner's Harbor. At the signed turn-off for Del Norte Trail, leave the gravel road and continue east (left) along the trail for 1.8 miles. The trail winds up and down two canyons (Cañada del Agua and Cañada del Muro)) to the signed junction with the Del Norte Road that leads.2 miles to the campground. The longer route (5 miles), which provides views of the south side of the island, follows the Navy Road as it climbs 1,200 feet over 4 miles and eventually reaches the junction with the Del Norte Road. At the signed junction, turn north (left) and descend 1 mile to the campground. From Scorpion Anchorage, Del Norte Campground is approximately 12 miles via the Navy Road. Beach access is at Prisoners Harbor. There is no access to the beach at Del Norte Campground.
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 Del Norte Backcountry?
Sites at Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry 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 Del Norte Backcountry?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry have?
9 sites, including 8 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry?
Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry?
From Prisoners Harbor, the shortest route to the Del Norte Campground is 3.5 miles via the Del Norte Trail. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry?
Ventura, California.
Source: Getting there
What if Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Santa Cruz Island Prisoners Harbor (1.3 mi), Santa Cruz Island Scorpion (6.2 mi), and Anacapa Island (16.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
Which national park is Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry in?
Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry is a Channel Islands National Park campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.
Source: Channel Islands National Park