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. 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 (445)

4.8 out of 5

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

@RaisaSFA5C243E · Camped on Nov 26, 2025 at Campsite #5

Clean and well kept campsites. The day visitor restrooms are a lot cleaner than the ones on the campsite

@ErinS5754026 · Camped on Nov 25, 2025 at Campsite #14

Great campsite that was slightly tucked away. The other sites were kinda on top of each other with minimal trees for privacy. Flat and big enough for two tents. Bathrooms were very clean. Lots of foxes!

@WilliamG690099 · Camped on Nov 24, 2025 at Campsite #23

Great trip

@JacksonW480232 · Camped on Nov 24, 2025 at Campsite #19

It is a short walk from the boat, but there are great options for long walks from the camp.

@KaitlinDC65947 · Camped on Nov 2, 2025 at Campsite #7

Super great! Toilets had toilet paper and seat covers. Note that there is no hand washing station, just provided hand sanitizer. There is drinking water. There is an outfitter on the island that rents out snorkeling gear.

@LauraD1350391 · Camped on Oct 31, 2025 at Campsite #4

Such an amazing experience and so well organized between ferry service, national park and the kayaking.

@LarryM8356646 · Camped on Oct 30, 2025 at Campsite #2

Bathrooms desperately needed cleaning

@JasonJ1170942 · Camped on Oct 26, 2025 at Campsite #20

Clean and very well protected campsite at perhaps the most underrated national park I've ever been. Easy access to trails.

@BrantJ4496BA08 · Camped on Oct 26, 2025 at Campsite #8

It was noticed that the outhouses need to be pumped out. Maybe some creative young person could devise a way to compost the solid waste and put it to good use replenishing the soils which were badly damaged by decades of sheep pasturing.

@VirginiaM64D26 · Camped on Oct 19, 2025 at Campsite #2

Amazing experience! Site 2 was private !

@LauriR3388905 · Camped on Oct 19, 2025 at Campsite #12

I appreciated the Fox boxes for use the day we had to check out. We were able to kayak and not worry about our belongings.

@FaridKDF391975 · Camped on Oct 18, 2025 at Campsite #E

We love this park. Camping was nice, great weather, high 80s, more flies than usual, but overall great time. Remember to book ahead for camping!

@LukeV7C28C8765 · Camped on Oct 18, 2025 at Campsite #9

Sites are well-maintained and in a great location by the water, hikes, and vendors. The difficulty getting a spot means it's fairly private and the campground gets quiet at a good hour. The foxes are too cute!! Highly recommend a visit

@QyieishaM7E837 · Camped on Oct 15, 2025 at Campsite #4

We camped at site 4. There are no trees on the even camp sites that is shed and coverage on the odd sites. The site had a small amount of trash items from previous users. We arrived and noticed someone else property in the food box. The owners eventually returned to recover their items but it was inconvenient and delayed our set up. We booked the adventure Sea Caves Kayak Tour (2.5-3hr on water) tour through Santa Barbara Adventure Co. The tour was great but on the expensive side for a kayaking tour. Our guide, Brad, was passionate and knowledgeable about the tour and the island. The ride over was smooth and boarding was an ease. We hiked to Potato Harbor, which was beyond worth it. Overall this was a great experience.

@AndrewB2067797 · Camped on Oct 15, 2025 at Campsite #14

Beautiful campground and a unique experience. Will definitely go back some day.

@BillM1281727 · Camped on Oct 13, 2025 at Campsite #24

We had site 24 on the upper loop. You have to deal with noise from all the kids at the group campgrounds, but this opens up to the canyon for a beautiful view and stargazing night. Water is easy. Pit toilets are not horrible. But it's a long walk back there so pack light.

@TessaM89B486CB · Camped on Oct 12, 2025 at Campsite #F

Santa Cruz Island always feels like a world away from regular, busy life on the mainland. The rangers and stewards of this land do an amazing job keeping it safe, beautiful and educational.

@JosephP4482456 · Camped on Oct 10, 2025 at Campsite #C

The campsite in the Upper Campground is very secluded and typically quiet, but if there is a rowdy group in one of the other group sites, the sound will carry. Theres only one tree in this site, so shade is limited, and you wouldnt be able to hang a hammock like you could in some other sites.

@ANDREWL5237889 · Camped on Oct 9, 2025 at Campsite #17

One of my favorite national parks. I wish the park service the best as they struggle with funding cuts, thank you for protecting this wild space.

@AdamT121661BD3 · Camped on Oct 7, 2025 at Campsite #21

Great campsite with access to potable water. Vaylt toilets werent the greatest, but cant expect much better from such a remote location. Rangers and all NPS staff were amazing.

@DavidE7840041 · Camped on Oct 4, 2025 at Campsite #23

Great campground. Beautiful with abundant wildlife and nearby attractions. Good distance between sites. The upper campground is more beautiful, but will mean a little more walking to/from the beach.

@johnc3063297 · Camped on Oct 4, 2025 at Campsite #9

Thank you for the rangers for showing up with the shutdown going on. Park was looking excellent!!!

@JohnB8383631 · Camped on Oct 3, 2025 at Campsite #19

Beautiful campsite! Beautiful island!

@NikkiC18C41929 · Camped on Oct 3, 2025 at Campsite #22

Amazing. Don't let the hike to the campground deter you, it's really easy. We saw plenty of people carting small coolers and even babies but also was wonderfully quiet with everyone enjoying the island. The waters, hikes, foxes, even the boat ride over, so awesome and worth it.

@SandraP9D6228A · Camped on Sep 20, 2025 at Campsite #17

Stellar, truly off the grid experience

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