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Channel Islands National Park › California
› Ventura County
› Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground
› Campsite #12
Campsite #12 at Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground, Channel Islands National Park, CA
$15
Tent Site #12
| Walk-In | 6 people |
| 0 | weak |
3/5
4/13
Campsite #12 Features: Walk-In access, Back-In parking, Food Storage Locker, Picnic Table, Tent Site, No Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (19)
5.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 84% |
| 4 star | | 11% |
| 3 star | | 0% |
| 2 star | | 0% |
| 1 star | | 5% |
@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.
@AlbertZ0FC2C6A · Camped on May 27, 2024 at Campsite #12
Over used and not enough facilities. Too many day users in the campground.
@KailaP27560926 · Camped on Apr 19, 2023 at Campsite #12
As residents of SB for many years, we never realized how easy it was to camp on the Channel Islands. Be sure to follow all Island Packers gear guidelines and it will be a breeze! The Scorpion Campground is very clean and the water is safe to drink. I would recommend going on a weekday if you like it quieter. We stayed 3 nights and our last night was Friday and it was significantly louder. Many big groups and college kids roll in on the weekends so the noise tends to go right up to the âquiet hoursâ. During the week it was a lot of solo travelers and older folk and everyone was basically quiet by 8pm. Right now (April â23) the whole island is green and beautiful! The water is around 55° and you can rent snorkel gear with a wetsuit from the Kayak company for the entirety of your stay! All in all, the campground was excellent and will definitely be back sometime soon.
@HenryN7411547 · Camped on Nov 18, 2022 at Campsite #12
Good camping site
@OlgaN4256348 · Camped on Oct 21, 2022 at Campsite #12
Camped on Site 12. To put it straight - that is the site with the least privacy on the entire campground. Feels totally amorphous, you have no vegetation to outline the boundaries and you are literally in the spotlight for everyone- your neighbors, for day-trip hikers, who pass by. no constant shade. But lots of room - you are a big group (max.6) you can pitch six tents:)
@JimK5441563 · Camped on Sep 19, 2022 at Campsite #12
due to limited space campsites are close together. Campground is relatively short distance from dock and many people bring wagons or carts with camping gear and ice chests. Recommend kayak tour as a great way to see island and caves
@TravisM6138687 · Camped on Dec 11, 2021 at Campsite #12
Santa Cruz Island was an amazing trip the park ranger Mirtha was extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the entire island and which where the best hikes and difficultie ratings. A day hike doesnt quite give you enough time to hike the island recommend an overnight stay. The foxes love your food make sure its in your hands at all times or in the locker because theyll steal it off the picnic table right in front of you.
@TravisM298 · Camped on Dec 11, 2021 at Campsite #12
Santa Cruz Island was an amazing trip the park ranger Mirtha was extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the entire island and which where the best hikes and difficultie ratings. A day hike doesnât quite give you enough time to hike the island recommend an overnight stay. The foxes love your food make sure itâs in your hands at all times or in the locker because theyâll steal it off the picnic table right in front of you.
@LoriA306 · Camped on Nov 15, 2021 at Campsite #12
Such an amazing get away! Clean campground, amazing kayaking, and stunning hikes. We had no idea it was going to be so awesome!!
@LoriA7453277 · Camped on Nov 15, 2021 at Campsite #12
Such an amazing get away! Clean campground, amazing kayaking, and stunning hikes. We had no idea it was going to be so awesome!!
@DanaR596880882 · Camped on Oct 26, 2021 at Campsite #12
Wonderful campground and experience on the island!
@DanaR296 · Camped on Oct 26, 2021 at Campsite #12
Wonderful campground and experience on the island!
@RichardB359 · Camped on Sep 12, 2021 at Campsite #12
The NPS has hit a Home Run with management of SC. All Facilities are very well kept. All Rangers are so helpful and friendly. Every campsite is perfect. Participated in the JR Ranger program and learned even more about the Island.
Proud of my Badge so much fun earning it.
Proud of my Badge so much fun earning it.
@RichardB341941 · Camped on Sep 12, 2021 at Campsite #12
The NPS has hit a Home Run with management of SC. All Facilities are very well kept. All Rangers are so helpful and friendly. Every campsite is perfect. Participated in the JR Ranger program and learned even more about the Island.Proud of my Badge so much fun earning it.
@HarkishanFC558 · Camped on Jun 1, 2021 at Campsite #12
Great campsite with access to drinking water and restrooms. Watch out for the critters! they are clever and will steal food/items.
@HarkishanG681 · Camped on Jun 1, 2021 at Campsite #12
Great campsite with access to drinking water and restrooms. Watch out for the critters! they are clever and will steal food/items.
@TaylorD8225401 · Camped on Jan 3, 2020 at Campsite #12
Camping on a 94 square mile island with hardly any residents is an unforgettable experience. Scorpion campground is not wilderness camping by any stretch, but the human-planted Eucalyptus grove provides wonderful shade and attracts birds, sites are well situated, and once you leave that sliver of rough hewn civilization between the docks and the campground, the nature of Santa Cruz island, both on land and in the surrounding sea, is awe inspiring. Spectacular views abound on hikes, adventurous kayaking beckons, memories with family and friends will be made.BEWARE THE ISLAND FOXES! While cute and endemic to Channel Islands, the crafty devils will get into any food not guarded by a person or left in the "fox box" at each campsite. They even unzipped a backpack, tossed out binoculars and nature books, then ate some forgotten Swedish fish candy.
@EdenR5CB728E14 · Camped on Aug 11, 2019 at Campsite #12
the trip here was amazing, i would 100% go again! The lower camp grounds were nice since they are closer to the beach area and the dock, so its not too far to lug things back and forth. The fox box is pretty big, its the same size as a standard bear box(two 60 gallon coolers could fit in it). I would recommend investing in a portable shower that can hang from a tree branch, since you can get pretty dusty and dirty. also make sure to bring enough food since you can't get food on the island, only when you're on the transportation boat.
@JoyceBB8E4686A · Camped on Jul 8, 2019 at Campsite #12
Love the Channel Islands! This was my first opportunity to camp overnight so I took my 12 year old grandson. We had a marvelous time hiking and camping. If I had one complaint it was the requirement for the campers to help unload the boat. I have no problem helping unload the boat except we had a group of older Girl Scouts who were horribly packed. We literally sent our time unloading grocery bags of groceries. The rest of us were all packed into backpacks and had one of two items each. We spent over an hour unloading them and missed the opportunity to hike with the NOAA guide.
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