Campsite #20 at Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground, Channel Islands National Park, CA

Make a Reservation
$15

Tent Site #20

29 reviews
Walk-In 6 people
0 fair
20
2/25
3/3
Campsite #20 Features: Walk-In access, Back-In parking, Food Storage Locker, Picnic Table, Tent Site, No Pets Allowed

Campsite Reviews (25)

5.0 out of 5

5 star
92%
4 star
4%
3 star
0%
2 star
4%
1 star
0%

@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.
@GregoryFF4F7CF · Camped on Jul 16, 2025 at Campsite #20
Great location and beautiful island!
@ZachS7409666 · Camped on May 19, 2025 at Campsite #20
The only reason it wasnt a 5star was the bathroom smells. The recent staffing cuts by the president has reduced a staff of 7 down to 1 person to fulfill all the repairs and maintenance needs. Hes doing a great job for being by himself but Im nervous that things will get worse as time goes on and the increased numbers of summer happens
@JessicaM144623 · Camped on Apr 27, 2025 at Campsite #20
Campground is rustic but so worth it. Water and bathrooms were close (but not too close). The valley provided shelter but it was still the windiest night Ive ever experienced. Ravens were in the lookout so zip your car keys. Saw lots of foxes. Most hikes are in/out of the campground; its the perfect base. Great trip, must do it at least once.
@ShanonS21C9240 · Camped on Oct 31, 2023 at Campsite #20
This was a beautiful campground. One needs to take into consideration that nature rules here. And the bullies for ravens, screaming foxes at night and swarm of yellow jackets around the only water source really remind you of this. But the tips to get water from the menacing yellow jacket spigot worked. Move slow. Dont panic. And dont splash the water. It was a true character building exercise so that you dont want to miss out on.
@Alexv7794422 · Camped on Aug 6, 2023 at Campsite #20
This was our first time camping at a national park, let alone island camping. Upon arrival, the large group next to us invaded our campsite space on numerous levels. They set up two tents right on the edge of our campsite, put their stuff in our fox box, hung their hammock on the other side of our campsite so we were pretty much boxed in. Their kids were yelling & screaming day & night compared to the group of other kids who made no noise. We had to ask the ranger to move a site down just to feel like we had any kind of space. Definitely taught us what NOT to do and what campsite number to reserve next time for any kind of peace & quiet.
@SarabethBEDA96 · Camped on Mar 11, 2023 at Campsite #20
Such a beautiful site. Very quiet and at night you can hear the toads and crickets. The site is also pretty large.
@YuChenH712B2A0 · Camped on Feb 12, 2023 at Campsite #20
Cell signal available on high ground and at the pier!
@MikeW7577055 · Camped on Oct 24, 2022 at Campsite #20
It was like traveling back in time. PURE. PRISTINE. SILENT. What a special place.
@MaryT1149779 · Camped on Aug 28, 2022 at Campsite #20
A very nice campground a short walk from the ferry. Lots of island foxes. Make sure to hike to Cavern Point from the campground at sunseta 2 mile hike. Absolutely the best sunset ever. Stargazing at night wonderful as well.
@scottb3088469 · Camped on Jul 1, 2022 at Campsite #20
Amazing Park and Campground! Fun hike to Smugglers Cove. Bring goggles for a light weight snorkeling experience on the shorelines. Really enjoyed the cave tours!!!
@JasonS8132232 · Camped on May 24, 2022 at Campsite #20
The sites are nice and covered from the sun. A picnic table and fox box at each site was key. Those little foxes will eat your food no questions asked and they are not afraid of people. The facilities were nice and plenty of water stations. Cant wait to go back
@CurtisG3126233 · Camped on Apr 19, 2022 at Campsite #20
Pit toilets regularly stocked with toilet paper, Awesome, shaded campsites, water for cooking available, good picnic tables at each site, and close to dock where you're dropped off. Great experience!
@JanetH5048939 · Camped on Apr 16, 2022 at Campsite #20
Restrooms are close but not too close and the description of the campsite is pretty accurate.
@MichaelF459455 · Camped on Apr 3, 2022 at Campsite #20
Helpful ranger! Clean site. Folks were quiet. Loved camping here!
@AmyB6929249 · Camped on Feb 4, 2022 at Campsite #20
This is one of the most beautiful national parks and has the added bonus of being remote so not nearly as crowded as others we have been to lately. We went in February and the weather could not have been better. Kayaking is a must. All sites in lower loop have good shade. I didn't see any bad sites. 020 was close to drinking water and close but not too close to bathrooms. Nice space between neighbors.
@CharlieHF90C2C · Camped on Feb 2, 2022 at Campsite #20
Great campsites, clean bathrooms, wonderful new pier. Had a great time!
@AliciaK660 · Camped on Jan 17, 2022 at Campsite #20
The campground is a short walk away from where the ferry drops you off. Each site has a "fox" box and a picnic table. There is a lot of tree and wind coverage as the site is in a valley. Great campground :)
@AliciaK6197187 · Camped on Jan 17, 2022 at Campsite #20
The campground is a short walk away from where the ferry drops you off. Each site has a "fox" box and a picnic table. There is a lot of tree and wind coverage as the site is in a valley. Great campground :)
@YejiY56FD130CB · Camped on Nov 24, 2021 at Campsite #20
We had a great time! We were on the island for two nights, starting out at Scorpion and hiking over to Del Norte for the second night. Campsites were fairly apart from each other, we had easy access to potable water, and clean "outhouses". It was a lot of fun hanging by the beach and also watching small island foxes sniffing for food and attempting to get into the fox bins at any possible second! (Make sure to keep those fox bins closed at all times!) Did some hiking around the available trails near Scorpion which are self explanatory and has amazing views. In case you decide to do something similar to us, (Scorpion to Del Norte), we barely made it each with 2 liter bladders and 64oz bottles. I would recommend bringing an extra water reservoir for the trip over to Del Norte.
@YejiY825 · Camped on Nov 24, 2021 at Campsite #20
We had a great time! We were on the island for two nights, starting out at Scorpion and hiking over to Del Norte for the second night. Campsites were fairly apart from each other, we had easy access to potable water, and clean "outhouses". It was a lot of fun hanging by the beach and also watching small island foxes sniffing for food and attempting to get into the fox bins at any possible second! (Make sure to keep those fox bins closed at all times!) Did some hiking around the available trails near Scorpion which are self explanatory and has amazing views. In case you decide to do something similar to us, (Scorpion to Del Norte), we barely made it each with 2 liter bladders and 64oz bottles. I would recommend bringing an extra water reservoir for the trip over to Del Norte.
@TylerF314 · Camped on Sep 20, 2021 at Campsite #20
Very cool park that gets overlooked. I have been to 26 national parks all over the country, including Hawaii and Alaska. Possibly the best 24 hours that I spent in a national park. Saw whales on the ferry, pod of hundreds of dolphins. Unique plant and animal life on the island. The water was cold but I highly recommend snorkeling the kelp forests and be sure to rent a kayak and bring it with you to explore sea caves. I also highly recommend walking around the island in the moonlight if possible.
@TylerF2D8B30A3 · Camped on Sep 20, 2021 at Campsite #20
Very cool park that gets overlooked. I have been to 26 national parks all over the country, including Hawaii and Alaska. Possibly the best 24 hours that I spent in a national park. Saw whales on the ferry, pod of hundreds of dolphins. Unique plant and animal life on the island. The water was cold but I highly recommend snorkeling the kelp forests and be sure to rent a kayak and bring it with you to explore sea caves. I also highly recommend walking around the island in the moonlight if possible.
@CarlS3807743 · Camped on Aug 20, 2021 at Campsite #20
Had a wonderful time camping!
@CarlS349 · Camped on Aug 20, 2021 at Campsite #20
Had a wonderful time camping!

Campsite Photos and Videos

Map Settings
Reset
Satellite View
Satellite
Wildfires
Wildfires
National Forests
National Forests
National Parks
National Parks
Air Quality
Air Quality
Bureau of Land Management
BLM
Motor Vehicle Use Maps
OHV MVUM
Love's Travel Stop
Love's
D
Dump Stations
W
Water
LP
Propane
P
RV Parking
Walmart Supercenter
Super Walmart
Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel
Bass Pro Shop
Bass Pro Shops
 
Rating:
Price*:
Length:
Amps:
Elev:
feet
Temp:
°F
Down:
Up:
*Earn our Leave No Trace badge to see our free camping sites.