Campsite #7 at Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground, Channel Islands National Park, CA

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$15

Tent Site #7

20 reviews
Walk-In 6 people
0 fair
7
3/4
4/22
Campsite #7 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
68%
4 star
24%
3 star
8%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%

@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.
@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..
@MarvinA8CE7418 · Camped on May 11, 2025 at Campsite #7
Rangers were excellent: very helpful and informative.
@BobE4E783C0486 · Camped on Feb 3, 2025 at Campsite #7
Lower Scorpion was definitely the better of the two campgrounds. The foxes are fun to watch but just know that they sometimes will very loudly fight in the night.
@EricT9376713 · Camped on Aug 25, 2024 at Campsite #7
Great campground, cant wait to go back!
@TovaW8962D5D38 · Camped on Apr 9, 2024 at Campsite #7
It would have been nice to have been given more advance notice that there would be 8a-5p tree trimming (and felling) at the campsite for the whole time we were there. Also, the pit toilets nearby were closed off (and stinky!) because they needed to be emptied and it was a bit of a walk to get to the next nearest toilets. But such a cool island with beautiful hiking and friendly rangers.
@JaneL3877914 · Camped on Jun 7, 2023 at Campsite #7
My group and I went in the beginning of June. During this time there were lots of school or camp groups, so the noise level was really loud w screaming kids. I thought I’d share in case anyone is hoping for a quiet camp experience.
@Margarita98368 · Camped on Apr 30, 2023 at Campsite #7
We had a great time at the campground, definitely recommend!
@KianaSE87A80F5 · Camped on Dec 17, 2022 at Campsite #7
We had a wonderful stay in mid December! Island foxes are the cutest little guys ever. Thank you for maintaining this beautiful island.
@JennyB80660988 · Camped on Nov 21, 2022 at Campsite #7
Santa Cruz Island was such a cool place and I would love to go back. Lots of birds, the foxes are almost always present, dolphins, sea lions and whales to see from the boat ride and/or the island overlooks, a good mix of easy and moderate trails taking you to pretty places.We camped at the lower loop because we needed that accessibility - my 70 year old mom has some mobility issues. (She can walk ok but cant hike carrying gear. And we flew to LA from CO so we didnt have a cart.) She did fine getting from the pier to the campground. She was also able to do the Potato Harbor hike. For more privacy, book a site at the upper loop if you can lug your gear the mile on a gravel path/service road.A note to new campers: When they say to fox-proof your stuff, they should also explain that the foxes like to pee on things on the ground (not just steal your stuff). If I were to go back, Id want to go when the temperature was warmer to make the water activities more desirable. We visited around Thanksgiving and it was too cold for us to want to try the snorkeling. However, there were plenty of people at the beach and trying out the water activities. Once the sun went down, it got quite chilly. Without the option for campfires, most people went to bed pretty early and the (full) campground was quiet by 8:00pm. On the flip-side, the November temps were great for the hiking.
@JomelSBBA5B2DE · Camped on Aug 1, 2022 at Campsite #7
Amazing rangers! Thank you Josh and Karen.
@ShreyasB9D9803 · Camped on Jul 2, 2022 at Campsite #7
Easy water/toilet access. About a half mile from boat landing.
@JenniferS83796 · Camped on Nov 24, 2021 at Campsite #7
We loved our visit and are looking forward to returning in the future. Our favorite was the night hikes to the lookouts so we could enjoy and take in the amazing views of the night sky. We loved our day hikes and time kayaking in ocean checking out the sea caves. There is rentals on the island for tours or you can rent on mainland and explore on your own. I highly recommend at least 2 nights if not more to camp on the island.
@JenniferS468 · Camped on Nov 24, 2021 at Campsite #7
We loved our visit and are looking forward to returning in the future. Our favorite was the night hikes to the lookouts so we could enjoy and take in the amazing views of the night sky. We loved our day hikes and time kayaking in ocean checking out the sea caves. There is rentals on the island for tours or you can rent on mainland and explore on your own. I highly recommend at least 2 nights if not more to camp on the island.
@MarielaM163 · Camped on Oct 28, 2021 at Campsite #7
Great hiking and the campground was well kept. Water spigot for drinking water was very accessible and pit toilets were very clean. Our stay on the island was amazing and can’t wait to plan a return trip back.
@MarielaME8F17A · Camped on Oct 28, 2021 at Campsite #7
Great hiking and the campground was well kept. Water spigot for drinking water was very accessible and pit toilets were very clean. Our stay on the island was amazing and cant wait to plan a return trip back.
@DavidL8659169 · Camped on Oct 19, 2021 at Campsite #7
Great place. Given that snorkeling and kayaking are two of the main activities, it would benefit tremendously by having showers available, though.
@DavidL823 · Camped on Oct 19, 2021 at Campsite #7
Great place. Given that snorkeling and kayaking are two of the main activities, it would benefit tremendously by having showers available, though.
@KeithS137 · Camped on Sep 14, 2021 at Campsite #7
So close to the mainland yet world away. Very good trip, a must return!
@KeithS1904554 · Camped on Sep 14, 2021 at Campsite #7
So close to the mainland yet world away. Very good trip, a must return!
@BarbaraT607139 · Camped on Jul 6, 2021 at Campsite #7
I think the the people should see the rocks mmmmm I Ike rocks yeahhhh
@BarbaraT693 · Camped on Jul 6, 2021 at Campsite #7
I think the the people should see the rocks mmmmm I Ike rocks yeahhhh
@meganw111 · Camped on Mar 31, 2021 at Campsite #7
Fantastic campsite! Very close to the pier. We absolutely love the company of the island foxes. Campers, do not feed them or be careless with your food because it's not helpful to these sweet little guys. The only thing to consider is that sounds travels far and clear at this campsite, as it is nestled in a canyon. Noisy campers can disturb others. While camping on the island, be sure to take advantage of the wonderful hikes all around!
@MeganW1047031 · Camped on Mar 31, 2021 at Campsite #7
Fantastic campsite! Very close to the pier. We absolutely love the company of the island foxes. Campers, do not feed them or be careless with your food because it's not helpful to these sweet little guys. The only thing to consider is that sounds travels far and clear at this campsite, as it is nestled in a canyon. Noisy campers can disturb others. While camping on the island, be sure to take advantage of the wonderful hikes all around!
@AlbertD5376096 · Camped on Mar 19, 2021 at Campsite #7
Great trip out to Santa Cruz, but watch out for #14

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