Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground, Channel Islands National Park, CA - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map

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. Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground is rated 4.8 stars from 696 reviews. 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, and water sports rental. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails and floating sports.

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Campsite Reviews (706)

4.8 out of 5

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

@SeanM2349912 · Camped on Apr 21, 2026 at Campsite #6

Everyone I interacted with was very helpful and friendly. It was such a beautiful time that I experienced on the island and everything was very well organized and easy to make my way around. It was very well thought out and the people that are involved are very well trained, organized and informational. Im very glad I had this experience. I would recommend it to everyone and I would do it again.

@emilya4A589EF8 · Camped on Apr 16, 2026 at Campsite #14

Its a beautiful campground and really well organized.

@MatthewB318226 · Camped on Apr 15, 2026 at Campsite #18

Awesome camp ground. Great base camp for multiple days of exploring the trails and sea. Stunning views and a number of great hikes and places to visit. Snorkeling and kayak tours were awesome if looking to do more than hike and beach. Great shade in the camp and short walks to sunset views. A great intro trip (and worth repeating) to the Channel Islands NP!

@LaurenJB05C4CA · Camped on Apr 14, 2026 at Campsite #23

Absolutely excellent spot, right off the trailhead. Incredible views of the valley. Good space between camping spaces. I like the upper loop way more than the lower. We were neighbors to the group camping sites that hosted a school Science camp for the week but even with a bunch of kids nearby, we still had a really tranquil experience. Just a heads up that there's very little wind coverage so keep that in mind for meal time!

@JeffreyH206902 · Camped on Apr 13, 2026 at Campsite #22

I would recommend.

@EricV1462766 · Camped on Apr 6, 2026 at Campsite #12

One of the most beautiful campgrounds I've ever stayed in.

@SusanD7512883 · Camped on Apr 5, 2026 at Campsite #10

Campground provided all I needed - was quiet, safe, and great NPS staff. Primitive and no cell service - I loved that.

@SharonL7105422 · Camped on Apr 1, 2026 at Campsite #8

Spent 2 nights in the Scorpion campground - one in the lower loop and one in the upper. The upper loop is more secluded and more "wild." Heard foxes yapping and fighting during the night, and it was a lot windier since it was exposed.

@JordanM8638899 · Camped on Mar 31, 2026 at Campsite #16

I GOT PHENOMENAL PHOTOS OF THE ISLAND FOX AND IT WAS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE. YES I AM YELLING BECAUSE IT WAS AT LIKE 6AM ON A HIKE AND IT WAS PERFECT

@JESSB016FBD455 · Camped on Mar 29, 2026 at Campsite #5

The rangers were so wonderful and informative. The place is just breathtaking - youll never want to leave. And anyone traveling here is always amazing. Clean. Peaceful. Beautiful

@RalphFEF314B2E · Camped on Mar 23, 2026 at Campsite #B

Loved the new spacious dock. Disembarking with camping gear is chaotic and congested through a narrow entry, something that should be addressed. Campsite locations are wonderful with plenty of shade for small campsites, limited in group sites, particularly group site 2! The island is well maintained and in March is just stunning! Hiking is fabulous, offering some amazing well kept trails on a variety of terrain for beginners and more capable hikers. The snorkeling is beautiful with outstanding kelp beds that is home to an abundant aquatic life. Kayaking is unbelievable! Caverns and swim throughs that makes you feel like youre at Disneys Pirates of the Caribbean. Cant say enough good things about my experience there! Would go back in a heartbeat!

@AlexR3373838 · Camped on Mar 22, 2026 at Campsite #22

Everything was very clean and organized.

@warrenh8233181 · Camped on Mar 20, 2026 at Campsite #3

Great campsite, everyone was quiet :)

@Christoph47204 · Camped on Mar 20, 2026 at Campsite #11

Great experience, saw tons of wildlife. Got to hike a lot of the trails. My daughter loved seeing the foxes and the dolphins.

@EricS9323236 · Camped on Mar 20, 2026 at Campsite #19

Such an amazing g place. We were lucky to have great weather one evening and caught a wonderful sunset at Potato Harbor

@MayaR8CE1A79BA · Camped on Mar 15, 2026 at Campsite #D

This island is absolutely gorgeous and Id highly recommend camping here overnight if you can! There were plenty of in ground toilets around the sites as well as towards the pier. Additionally water was easily accessible if staying at this site. Highly recommend because this trip was truly unforgettable.

@OliverOA893E6A · Camped on Mar 13, 2026 at Campsite #21

The campsite got a good amount of shade throughout the day. Nearby restroom is close but not too close. Campsite has one of the two water spigots just on the other side of a large bush, so no long walks to fill up your water bottles. The highlight of the site is the view it has of the valley between the two hills.

@AuldenFFB8F50A · Camped on Mar 13, 2026 at Campsite #24

Wonderful and comfortable campsite. Could have stayed there for weeks.

@AnnaK4787091 · Camped on Mar 12, 2026 at Campsite #22

Lovely campground with lots of shade and plenty of water. If you don't like critters, this isn't the place for you- lots of bugs in the bathrooms both day and night, foxes and birds trying to steal your food and open your bags and sneak into your tent, the full bird chorus in the morning. We loved it, provided great entertainment. Easy walk from the anchorage. Recommend bringing twistie ties to secure your tent zipper and bag zippers of any bags you're going to leave outside the tent even if there's not food inside.

@AngieF501CB25D · Camped on Mar 8, 2026 at Campsite #8

Loved staying on the island!

@AaronE9637830 · Camped on Mar 8, 2026 at Campsite #14

The Islands are world class. It's amazingly beautiful and peaceful out there.

@ShannonS994874 · Camped on Mar 6, 2026 at Campsite #11

This trip was one of my favorite camping/national parks experiences Ive ever had. The boat ride over was amazing, island packers provided a top service experience, the rangers were super friendly and helpful, the campground was lovely and all the hiking on the island was dreamy, varied and full of cutie island foxes. Such an amazing and unique experience, would go back in a heartbeat.

@DavidE7840041 · Camped on Mar 1, 2026 at Campsite #11

Great campground in a great spot

@KarenM8822647 · Camped on Mar 1, 2026 at Campsite #20

well organized, anticipated lighting needs in restroom with solar lights (civilized!). Ranger was calm and knowledgeable when giving us info about changes in schedule due to Gale Force winds, very appreciated. Trails were signposted and kept well. Campsite was great. we made sure to cancel our camp site when we heard the boat was canceled; it would be great if any cancellation of either boats or campsites could trigger communication with each other, and confirm both are cancelled (for campers only).

@LucyPD7C315346 · Camped on Feb 23, 2026 at Campsite #23

This place is so awesome! So many trails to hike too!

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Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground, Channel Islands National Park, CA - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map