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 (415)

4.8 out of 5

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

@SusanneF029D02 · Camped on Sep 4, 2025 at Campsite #4

Make sure to cross check if there is room on the boat and space at the campground for the times you need. When I booked, I know the campground was booked full, but 1/4 of the sites empty. I assume they didn't realize the boat fills up with day trip folks. There is water at this campground. (Prisoners is the one you have to byo)Fox, crows and blue jays will get into your stuff if you don't put it ALL in the animal proof boxes at each site. I saw socks and dental floss picks scattered around the site from someone that didn't put them away.

@AnnaG4813831 · Camped on Sep 3, 2025 at Campsite #2

Great primitive camping with clean pit toilets and convenient water spigots. Theres no lighting in the area, so be sure to bring flashlights, fairy lights, or headlamps. The campground is in a eucalyptus grove, and we didn't see any mosquitoes or other biting insects (camped in September). Group sites are set a bit apart, and even with a group of teenagers nearby, we heard no noise. Be aware of birds and foxes. When the ranger tells you to keep food within arm's reach, please take it seriously. Foxes are not aggressive, just persistent; one even lingered after I pointed a flashlight at it.

@ToddC4002059 · Camped on Sep 2, 2025 at Campsite #7

Lower Scorpion Camp was about what I expected. . sites were mostly occupied. Most campers were respectful of quiet hours. Always a bit of wind, which I dont mind on a warm summer afternoon; unfortunately there are restrooms on either side of camp. There is always that smell, wafting through camp. Now on the upside. Solitude, beautiful vistas,wildlife is all a few minutes out of camp. Favorite hike and destination was smugglers cove. Its a nice seven or eight mile hike round trip, depending on which route you take.. take a lunch and spend the afternoon over there..

@IrinaK19364839 · Camped on Sep 1, 2025 at Campsite #15

Great place to visit. The kayaking tour to the caves was our highlight.

@jenniferj83104 · Camped on Aug 29, 2025 at Campsite #21

We didn't love the camping here. There was no enforcement of rules. There is a group site right next to this campsite, though not shown on map, where the kayak outfitter folks live. I would not camp here again if you're looking for peace in nature. Island is amazing though! Visit for the day!

@LuisC6974195 · Camped on Aug 28, 2025 at Campsite #D

Nice location shaded, water and toilets close by your camping spot. Plenty room for your tent(s). Watch for island foxes! the will chase your food!

@MichaelH990269 · Camped on Aug 27, 2025 at Campsite #18

Lovely campground in the eucalyptus trees. Boxes provided to store food away from the cute but mischievous foxes. Bathrooms clean, drop toilets. We had a great time.

@BeckyJ3884663 · Camped on Aug 27, 2025 at Campsite #10

Wonderful campground with tasty water and simple pit toilets. There are some trees for a bit of shade. Lots of great hiking options.

@EricS9323236 · Camped on Aug 26, 2025 at Campsite #10

Great and quiet!

@JamesL2887084 · Camped on Aug 24, 2025 at Campsite #8

Great campground and island. Flush toilets or at least toilets with less smell would be a great improvement. Most sites in the campground are subject to the smell of chemical toilets in the evening hours when the wind is blowing.

@BrendaE034E7D0 · Camped on Aug 17, 2025 at Campsite #19

This is a beautiful campground. It's very close to the dock, so hauling your gear to your campsite isn't difficult. There's easy access to water and bathroom facilities, and it's quiet and super dark at night making it perfect for stargazing. The night we camped we could easily see the Milkyway and the Big Dipper looked like it was just an arm's length away. Lots of little foxes and ravens in the campground, so secure your food and food-like items in the fox box located at each campsite. No campfires allowed, but camp stoves are ok, and the fox box makes a great surface for cooking. The hiking traails are well marked, well maintained , and lead to beautiful views. There are hikes for every level of hiker from easy to strenuous. Carry plenty of water if you do a long hike because there's no water on the rest of the island. We kayaked to the sea caves the following day and had a great time. Don't forget to bring a snack, water, sunscreen a hat that can be worn under a helmet, and a waterproof phone case with lanyard if you want to take your phone in the kayak. Check out is at 11, which we forgot. Luckily no one was waiting for our space while we were kayaking, so we didn't have to hurry to pack. Our family will definitely be back for another camping trip and will definitely stay at least 2 nights so we can hike the rest of the island and do some snorkeling as well.

@christineB9533 · Camped on Aug 12, 2025 at Campsite #E

Amazing experience! I came prepared for backpacking type accommodations and was surprised how close and easy to access the campsite was. Folks brought coolers, wagons, etc. from the ferry and you could definitely treat this more as a glamping experience. Easy access to water and pit toilets, trail heads, and a short walk to the visitor center and pier. Highly recommend doing Potato Harbor hike near sunset and taking one of the guided kayak tours if you have time!

@SarahY2667088 · Camped on Aug 3, 2025 at Campsite #11

Deeply wonderful. We had two 5 year olds, a 9 year old, two 16 year olds, and four 40-somethings, and everyone was happy between hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, and just wandering around exploring. It's so lovely to feel safe to let even the little kids wander on their own near the campgrounds and visitor's center. Having pit toilets and potable water both easily accessed made everything super relaxed. Rangers and volunteer guides were friendly and helpful.

@KariS7762130 · Camped on Aug 3, 2025 at Campsite #5

I came with my best friend and her tween, we had the best time together. screen free, gorgeous setting, beautiful hikes and got to do the sea cave kayaking. I had been scared of camping due to a previous big animal encounter elsewhere and getting the chance to be on Santa Cruz island (with no big animals) reaffirmed my love for being in the great outdoors beyond a day hike. couldnt recommend more and I look forward to coming back to this magical place.

@TonyD6509610 · Camped on Jul 27, 2025 at Campsite #D

No showers, good enough pit toilets, no campers on wheels would have been so peaceful without the noise of the neighbors (not the parks fault) the sites are big enough.

@BeauD6F720B1D7 · Camped on Jul 26, 2025 at Campsite #A

The campground was well maintained with daily visits from park staff. For being a pit toilet it was clean and the smell was well maintained. It was nice that water was close and that campers were given a briefing before being able to go to the campground. I feel this aided in the campers following the rules.

@FranklinMB65FB · Camped on Jul 26, 2025 at Campsite #B

It is difficult to get your stuff from the boat to the camp spot. That should be focused on when packing. Make sure to zip your tent to the top to avoid the foxes getting in your tent. They are relentless. No fires. Some of the tables are not level at all so plan on trying to level your stove since that's all you can cook on. I was a little disappointed on how there seem to be not much care at all for the tables being level. Otherwise, the island is AMAZING!

@CamrynFC276954 · Camped on Jul 19, 2025 at Campsite #18

Great campsite perfect for one larger tent (4-person) and one smaller tent (2-person), some shade from the hills and trees, close to the bathroom, but not too close to get any sort of smell. Bathrooms were decently clean for vault toilets, lots of flies. There's little privacy in the campground, given it is just a sparse eucalyptus grove. If I come again, I will try for site #11 or #14, they were the most private. Got pretty windy at night, I was glad I brought my fleece (even in July!), and the island foxes and ravens are no joke, be very careful with food storage (each site has a "fox box"). Short hike uphill for stunning sunset views.

@JulioD465C5676 · Camped on Jul 18, 2025 at Campsite #21

Great outdoor experience

@GregoryFF4F7CF · Camped on Jul 16, 2025 at Campsite #20

Great location and beautiful island!

@NoahZ38A68B912 · Camped on Jul 14, 2025 at Campsite #23

Fantastic! Although a bit further to walk, highly recommend upper campground. #23 is pretty secluded, and all these at the end of the campground have a beautiful unobstructed view up the valley into the mountains. There's NPS-reserved site in between 23 & 24 that's not on the map, which creates separation or, if you have both 23 & 24, a huge joint space (it was unused when we were there). 24 & 25 are pretty close to one another but otherwise secluded and so would make a great pair. Highly recommend kayaking despite the price. If you can manage the extra distance (steadily but not severely uphill), getting to the Montanon Ridge off the Scorpion Loop was spectacular.

@BrendanM393331 · Camped on Jul 6, 2025 at Campsite #2

one of the best parks I've ever been to. Unique and beautiful. Will return!

@ToddL4603084 · Camped on Jul 6, 2025 at Campsite #14

A truly unique and wonderful experience. Stand at the front of the boat on the way over, you will likely see dolphins. Bring warm layers (even in summer), because the wind will be be omnipresent. Other tips: fly a kite on the beach, plan to hike as many trails as possible, rent a kayak cave tour, watch the sunset from Cavern Point (arrive early to see the entire light show), and bring a wetsuit for snorkeling. We limited ourselves to only what would fit into our backpacks, but a cart with extra luxuries or food on ice is perfectly acceptable (just stay within your weight limits).

@ZacharyB979819 · Camped on Jul 4, 2025 at Campsite #22

Saw a whale on the ferry ride over and a huge pod of dolphins on the way back! Campsite was great, quiet and just the right walk for anyone transitioning from car camping. Hike to watch the sunset is super close and I would recommend renting snorkel gear for the kelp forest in the harbor.

@MarisaL8FC0A06 · Camped on Jul 3, 2025 at Campsite #1

What an incredible experience. A California native, I had heard of the Channel Islands but was never sure where they were or what they were all about. The easiest "backpacking" experience I can imagine, with 60 lbs. weight limit, running water (no showers or sinks, just a spigot) on the island, it was a short walk from the boat to the campgrounds. People were quiet (though those foxes were pretty sniffy around the tent in the night) and respectful. The hikes were well-curated and gorgeous - wish I'd been able to go for more than one night!As promised - foxes - hungry! Adorable.Ravens - giant! Vocal!Scrub jays - ... exist!Watch for the weird sticky brown tiny oval bugs... they'll climb on your pen while you're journaling and it'll be hard to get them off your things. ;) The rangers were incredible. This administration can **** it if they mess with locations like this.

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