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Channel Islands National Park › California
› Ventura County
› Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground
› Campsite #8
Campsite #8 at Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground, Channel Islands National Park, CA
$15
Tent Site #8
| Walk-In | 6 people |
| 0 | no signal |
5/2
6/13
Campsite #8 Features: Walk-In access, Back-In parking, Food Storage Locker, Picnic Table, Tent Site, No Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (21)
4.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 76% |
| 4 star | | 14% |
| 3 star | | 10% |
| 2 star | | 0% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@TinaB5848724 · Camped on Apr 15, 2025 at Campsite #8
Santa Cruz Island was beautiful. I love how wild it is and how few people there are, especially on the longer hikes. The views and the wildlife and birds are amazing. The only downside was the restrooms. I am fine with pit toilets, but these were pretty awful. They werent cleaned the whole three days I was there, there was excrement on several toilets and walls, and one of them ran out of paper on day 2. I figure maybe staff is low with all the layoffs so no complaint here, but thought it was worth a mention. Regardless, I would definitely visit again.
@ScottUB988B195 · Camped on Apr 9, 2025 at Campsite #8
We stayed at lower Scorpion for 2 nights in early April and had a wonderful experience. While we stayed out of the water, there was plenty of hiking and sitting on the beach to observe the park. Campsites had tree cover for shade, easy access to water, and the bathrooms were well taken care of. Believe all the warnings about using the storage boxes! We observed foxes and ravens work their way through each campsite looking for left out food. We even watched a raven open an unattended backpack to get a bag of goodies!One of the highlights of the trip was the volunteer guides roaming the campsites and trails to answer questions. Special shout out to Tanya, the volunteer who was staying on the island while we were there. She was so warm, knowledgeable, and helpful and gave us a richer appreciation for the island.
@StephenD346210 · Camped on Apr 8, 2025 at Campsite #8
We visited and camped at the Scorpion campground in early April. The campground was full, with some big groups (students) but everyone was respectful. We hiked to Potato harbor, the Scorpion Loop, and up to the Cavern point lookout. We camped in spot 8, saw plenty of foxes, and lots of pelicans. The hiking is exposed to the sun so bring a sun hat for protection. The trip out with Island Packers was easy, and we saw humpback whales and bottle nose dolphins going both directions. Believe the ranger when he says there is little to no cell reception on the island, your there for the peace and quiet anyway. We would definitely go back to Channel Islands National Park.
@SusannahBA9B2D · Camped on Mar 21, 2025 at Campsite #8
Awesome island, awesome campsite.
@KatherineBC279 · Camped on Feb 20, 2025 at Campsite #8
I liked this spot! The campground is a 5min walk from the harbor. It backs up to a big hill and is not on the main trail path. It's convenient to the water spigot and around the corner from the bathrooms, and you can't smell them. The sites are pretty close together though. The trees made the campground smell SO GOOD! There are a couple foxes that live behind the campsite so you will likely see them! Please be kind to the ranger(s), when I was there, there was only 1 ranger for the whole island. He was also responsible for cleaning the bathrooms, checking on campers, and checking the trails.
@AndyD3751630 · Camped on Feb 17, 2025 at Campsite #8
Awesome experience staying at this campsite, easy access from the boat dock, all the trails are nearby, the sites are good size and are equipped with fox boxes and tables.
@ClaireA2347578 · Camped on Nov 1, 2024 at Campsite #8
Spacious campground under beautiful eucalyptus trees. We backpacked in from Del Norte/Prisoners Harbor. Drop toilets have toilet paper. There are many trails nearby to enjoy exploring the island. We opted for a kayaking excursion, which was a blast!
@DavidR6871281 · Camped on Feb 18, 2024 at Campsite #8
While Del Norte is a nice campground, getting there is quite a beast, particularly on Navy Rd. Since you need to bring your own water--which I recommend tailoring to the weather conditions--pack as lightly as possible to help with the climb up. Another thing to note: if you are going to walk on Navy Road instead of the Del Norte trail, it may be muddy, depending on recent weather and maintenance activities. I hiked back from Del Norte to Prisoners Harbor along Navy Rd and much of it was a muddy mess.
@DannyH8622772 · Camped on Nov 26, 2023 at Campsite #8
Lots of great hikes and ocean access. Highly recommend this amazing area. We did a three day, two night trip and it was the perfect length. Check out Smuggler's Cove!
@Jennifer602066 · Camped on Jun 30, 2023 at Campsite #8
What a special Campground! It's so clean due to the fact that you must pack out all of your trash. The sites are nicely spaced apart and feel private enough. Nice to have the fox boxes and table. The bathrooms could have been a little bit cleaner but given they are vault toilets you don't expect pristine accommodations, right? It got very windy at night so I recommend making sure your tent is well staked into the ground. Cute little foxes running around. Please don't feed them!
@ChrisR8980926 · Camped on Jun 4, 2023 at Campsite #8
Great campground! This area is in a shaded valley and is pretty protected from the wind. Each site has a fox box, picnic table, and an area to set up your tent. The lower campground has 1 set of toilets and 2 water supplies. It is only a short 1/4 mile walk from the dock. I highly recommend staying here over only taking a short day trip to the island!
@EricFD6663FB4E · Camped on May 16, 2023 at Campsite #8
Great location. Definitely do the sea kayaking.
@RaymondL509851 · Camped on Apr 25, 2023 at Campsite #8
Four trips to the islands with the fourth trip being a two night stay at lower Scorpion campground. Area was clean and well maintained. Park Rangers were knowledgeable, informative, and friendly. Hiking trails were well marked and scenic.
@KatherineS939 · Camped on Jan 15, 2022 at Campsite #8
Love this campground. Very quiet minus the foxes fighting at night. But it’s part of the experience. I suggest bringing plenty of lights for night time as it gets very dark.
@KatharineM936 · Camped on Dec 14, 2021 at Campsite #8
Camped for three nights in the lower loop during mid-December. It gets DARK after 5pm so bring a book if you're by yourself. It rained two of three nights which made the trails muddy/slippery; otherwise would have done a stargazing hike to fill the evening hours. So if it's solitude you want, you can have it! Anyway: The vault toilets were clean and spacious; the only potable water spigots I could find were in both campground loops. You may be able to get cell phone reception at the end of the pier (I have Google Fi, worked half the time). The foxes are no joke: One jumped up on the bench across from me while I was eating at the table. Please don't feed the wildlife!! I also met some campers that went to Prisoners Harbor / Del Norte first, then hiked to Scorpion and camped again. I wish I had thought of that!
@PaulV241 · Camped on Dec 3, 2021 at Campsite #8
This is a cool spot situated under a grove of Eucalyptus trees - just watch your food/etc. because you'll have many fox visitors during your stay! Despite being pit toilets, the bathrooms were pretty clean and had a light at night, which made it feel like glamping:) The lower campground might be .25 miles from the historic ranch, which is right after you get off the boat, so it's not far at all.
@JessicaT328 · Camped on Nov 25, 2021 at Campsite #8
Beautiful location, excellent interpretive rangers, cute wildlife (island foxes)- great experience at the park!
@JosephW977 · Camped on Sep 16, 2021 at Campsite #8
What a beautiful and awe inspiring place. Friendly Rangers and wonderful boat crew during transport. Saw foxes, blue jays, ravens and hundreds of dolphins.
@SterlingH326 · Camped on Aug 31, 2021 at Campsite #8
CHIS NPS's website states that any dogs on the island must have prior authorization from the superintendent. I don't know how the camper in the site next to me accomplished that. Her dog, with "Service Dog in Training" emblazoned on its vest, was a menace to the island foxes. She blithely passed off its lunges at the foxes that camp into camp as "wanting to play with them." The dog had little or no training that I could observe, and would bark defensively at anyone intruding on its perceived territory. As for its owner, logorrheic is the only word to describe her. From the moment she woke up until she went to sleep, she was constantly talking. To any passersby, to herself, to her dog. All this made camp life barely tolerable. Next time I'll camp at the backcountry campsite, whose location tends to winnow out the dilettantes and eccentrics.
@DanW790 · Camped on Jul 31, 2021 at Campsite #8
Beautiful island. We stayed for two nights and hiked the interior. Totally awesome and located an abandoned oil rig. A 4 mile hike the first day and an 8 mile hike on day 2. Incredible sunset from the peak above scorpion campground
@AnnM123 · Camped on Apr 25, 2021 at Campsite #8
We went at the end of April 2021 with kids age 4 and 7 and it was amazing. The boat ride over was great and they even stopped to watch whales. There was a junior ranger guide book with activities for the kids and we got to explore sustainable camping by discussing why we pack out everything we brought in and leaving not taking anything off the island. We felt so grateful to be able to experience the beautiful island.
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