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Channel Islands National Park › California
› Ventura County
› Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry Campground
› Campsite #4
Campsite #4 at Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry Campground, Channel Islands National Park, CA
$15
Tent Site #4
| Walk-In | 4 people |
| 0 | good |
4/17
6/23
Campsite #4 Features: Walk-In access, Back-In parking, Food Storage Locker, Picnic Table, Tent Site
Campsite Reviews (25)
5.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 72% |
| 4 star | | 24% |
| 3 star | | 0% |
| 2 star | | 4% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@LaurenJB05C4CA · Camped on Apr 13, 2026 at Campsite #4
Incredible views! Well maintained space. All the spots are great but we were really happy with our covered spot from the wind. Just make friends with people in spot 1 so you can sit with them for sunset ;) You definitely have to work to get to this campsite but it's very inviting once you get there! Pit toilet was way nicer than I anticipated. If you have a clear vantage to the mainland, you'll get a little cell service too. Obligatory reminder to bring more water than you think you'll need.
@Anneliese3B9DA · Camped on Jan 4, 2026 at Campsite #4
The Del Norte campground was a great spot and very beautiful! Staying here for a night or two and hiking through from prisoner's harbor to scorpion cove is a must do. My only problem was that the bathroom facility needed improvement, but my group came expecting the worst so it wasn't an issue.
Some Coverage
@JustinR3682506 · Camped on Oct 2, 2025 at Campsite #4
We found amazing solitude at Del Norte Backcountry campground. The hike in was more difficult that we expected but we probably over-packed a bit. Trekking poles were a must have in our opinion and helped navigate the sometimes loose gravel steep singletrack sections of the 3.5mile hike from Prisioner's Harbor to the campground. Great expereince!
Major Issues
@JessicaG555444 · Camped on Sep 27, 2025 at Campsite #4
Great campsite. Clean and nice tables with good spots to set up tents. Our campsite (#4) was sheltered under oak trees while some of the others (eg #1) were in the open with great views. Nice spot. Pit toilet was clean (but still a pit toilet so smelled a bit when inside) and pleasantly surprised us by having toilet paper and hand sanitizer!
Some Coverage
@TitoCCD82A69B4 · Camped on Jun 29, 2025 at Campsite #4
Excellent campsite and amenities for being such an isolated place. Loved Channel Island will sure come back for more adventures!
Some Coverage
@Alexandre1CA03 · Camped on Jun 27, 2025 at Campsite #4
Very good campsite ! But the only problem hikers still leaving trash on fox box !
@LuboP1FEED17B3 · Camped on May 16, 2025 at Campsite #4
Amazing hike, views and memories! The campsite is an absolute gem - super clean, great views, bear boxes, and of course Island Foxes! Just bring enough water! We got lucky with the weather and only had to use about 1L each on the way to the site.
Some Coverage
@KateH4574741 · Camped on Apr 21, 2025 at Campsite #4
Wish others cleaned up after themselves. Got welcomed by human turds and tampons, among other trash.
No Service
@SawyerB45FA8B5 · Camped on Mar 29, 2025 at Campsite #4
You can't go wrong with any of the sites here, but this one was the best of the 4! It's engulfed by a tree so you have some cover but there is still an amazing view of the ocean. Easily a top 5 campsite for me.
Some Coverage
@RachelR8534803 · Camped on Jan 26, 2025 at Campsite #4
A nice, quiet campsite with a lovely hike out of prisoners harbor for access. The different sites are fairly close to one another for a backcountry site. Site 4 has the most shade/ is least exposed.At location: tent pad, bear proof food locker (for the foxes & birds), picnic table, pit toilet
@LisaR8773346 · Camped on Jan 17, 2025 at Campsite #4
Beautiful location with views of the Santa Barbara Channel. Each site had a picnic table, a food locker and an "engineered" flat spot to pitch your tent. Site #4 is under a low hanging oak tree. Site #3 had a more open oak tree, whereas sites #1 and #2 were open air. All 4 sites were nice but closer together than I expected. Each site is reservable for up to 4 people, but the engineered "tent-pitch area" is probably too small for a larger tent that would comfortably fit 4 people (perfect for a 2 person tent though) -- the surrounding ground is gently sloping. One pit toilet is shared by the 4 sites and was sufficient but a little smelly with a wooden floor. Hiked to Scorpion Campground 9.5 miles from Del Norte Camp and loved the trip!
Some Coverage
@Gabrielle89A52 · Camped on Dec 7, 2024 at Campsite #4
My first night on the island I stayed at Scorpion Anchorage, which had a lovely campsite with nice flat sites under the trees and access to drinking water in the campsite. Then I hiked the long trek to the Del Norte Backcountry sites, which were amazing campsites with absolutely majestic views. I was in campsite 4 which is nestled under a couple very twisty trees- super cool and fantasy-like. Definitely recommend camping in some capacity if you visit Santa Cruz Island!
@ClaireA2347578 · Camped on Oct 31, 2024 at Campsite #4
Gorgeous view from the campsite! Only 4 spots. Sites 3 and 4 have shade. Sites 1 and 2 are in direct sunlight. The drop toilet has toilet paper. Make sure you pack enough water - there is no water here. It's a steep climb to get here, and you'll not only need water for this night and breakfast, but for the long hike to Scorpion the following day (if you plan on backpacking there). We enjoyed our overnight here!
@DavidA3218244 · Camped on May 3, 2024 at Campsite #4
Second time camping hereone of the most special and singular spots in SoCal. Love the hike inbeautiful, invigorating, but not back-breaking. The solitude of only 4 campsites, all well cared for, offers an unparalleled escape. Can't wait to return.
Some Coverage
@JackPD02FFF574 · Camped on Dec 12, 2023 at Campsite #4
Spent 3 nights at Del Notre Campground and had a great time. We were in camp site #4 and it has the most shade. The campground is on a hilltop and has a great view of the ocean. Carrying all our water was tough but worth it.
Some Coverage
@PeterS7845234 · Camped on Dec 6, 2023 at Campsite #4
Excellent.
@Elizabeth29438 · Camped on Nov 24, 2023 at Campsite #4
This was a lovely, quiet site. Our views of sunset and sunrise were unreal. Highly recommend Site 1 if you want ocean views, or Site 4 if you want a shady tree with a little more privacy. We hope to be back one day!
Excellent
@ErynnWB8DD1D2F · Camped on Oct 23, 2023 at Campsite #4
This was a great spot for a 1 or 2 night stay. But be warned, it is very primitive! There is no water source and there is 1 pit toilet for the 4 campsites. We stayed in campsite number 4 which was under two oak trees. This would be the perfect site for summer as it provided full shade! But if you want the view and can manage the sun exposure during the day, sites 1 and 2 have the most beautiful view of the bluff and ocean! The sunrise was incredible! We would definitely stay here again!
Major Issues
@JamesC5011896 · Camped on Oct 10, 2023 at Campsite #4
The campsite was the most protected, though it's probably the smallest of the sites and does not have good views. The campground bathroom looks newer.
Good
@DavidS3927304 · Camped on Jul 11, 2023 at Campsite #4
What an incredible place! My wife and I stayed at camping site #4 (the only one with copious shade, which I definitely recommend during the summer) for three nights. Our tent door faced the ocean, and it was comfortable all day with the rain fly open. I also highly recommend the China Harbor trail down to the coast - so worth it!
No Service
@MarkS8760847 · Camped on May 2, 2023 at Campsite #4
great setting. vault toilet is well maintained. had tp and hand sanitizer
@AthenaC1139081 · Camped on Apr 25, 2023 at Campsite #4
Tough 3.5 mile hike from the harbor to the campsite. Several steep inclines and declines while carrying all your water. Quiet and isolated campsite. Clean and maintained campsite and toilet, but be prepared for the smell. Sometimes rangers leave emergency water in the fox box. Stayed one night in late April of 2023, weather got very foggy. The hike to the scorpion campsite is 13.5 miles and includes a small scramble. This was our first backpacking trip and I would recommend it to other beginners. :)
Major Issues
@EricW5409055 · Camped on Apr 13, 2023 at Campsite #4
Great site if you're prepared for the journey - it's 3.5 miles mostly uphill and you have to bring enough water for the duration of your stay. I recommend dramamine for the ferry (our ride out was rough) and water shoes to cross the stream near the ferry landing. Spectacular views from the campground and it's very peaceful with only 4 sites. Highly recommend a side trip on the Pelican Bay trail - it has more spectacular flowers and plenty of wildlife. You can leave your gear in the fox boxes by the ferry and go on that trail unencumbered. Steep drop-offs on the narrow trails so it's not a great place for small kids.
No Service
@SarahV4477511 · Camped on Nov 30, 2022 at Campsite #4
Hiked from Scorpion to Del Norte and back. It was a great trip. The tree in campsite 4 is very low so if your tall this may not be great site for you. The bathroom is a bit smelly but it is clean.
@JulietteG72F08 · Camped on Sep 8, 2022 at Campsite #4
Santa Cruz is absolutely spectacular. We didn't make it up to Del Norte because of the hurricane but we did get to spend the afternoon/overnight at the Scorpion Cove campground. Everything was well maintained and the park staff was friendly and knowledgeable. We are already planning our next trip!
Major Issues
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