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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 | weak |
3/5
4/21
Campsite #8 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 | | 72% |
| 4 star | | 16% |
| 3 star | | 8% |
| 2 star | | 4% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@MitchellG43C84 · Camped on Dec 26, 2025 at Campsite #8
great campsite beautiful trails easy access. the facilities worked out great and made the experience enjoyable.
@BrantJ4496BA08 · Camped on Oct 26, 2025 at Campsite #8
It was noticed that the outhouses need to be pumped out. Maybe some creative young person could devise a way to compost the solid waste and put it to good use replenishing the soils which were badly damaged by decades of sheep pasturing.
@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.
@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.
@AndreG8C0C2F41 · Camped on Jan 1, 2023 at Campsite #8
Not a lot of infos once on the Island.Campgrounds are ok, need a Little bit of cleaning. Wasn't impressed by the trails and the park itself.This was our 7th National Park, I would say the once we were the less impressed overall.
@NaseemBC20F1F5 · Camped on Oct 23, 2022 at Campsite #8
Campsite at SCI was well-maintained and lovely. The pit toilets were fine. The bathrooms themselves were kept clean. The pit toilets were gross, but that's to be expected. I was a bit nervous sleeping under the eucalyptus trees, fearing they'd drop branches and crush us, as I've witnessed a close call before (not on Channel Islands). Hoping the park does their part to maintain the trees. All in all, a wonderful trip. The campground is an easy 5-7 min walk from the ferry -- wouldn't even call it a hike. Can't wait to go back.
@LeoTC84719D311 · Camped on Sep 25, 2022 at Campsite #8
Fantastic campsite on a beautiful jewel of an island. Loads of land and sea activities. Highly recommend!
@BruceC8051679 · Camped on Apr 24, 2022 at Campsite #8
The campsite was clean. The "fox box" lockers were in good working order, and the restrooms were very clean. The rangers were very friendly and entertaining. We had a great time hiking and just hanging around the campsite or beach.
@MargieS2907134 · Camped on Mar 22, 2022 at Campsite #8
A few large groups in the lower loop did not abide to the quiet hours. I felt like I was camping with them as out tents were so close together.
@YuhsuanS5DABEA · Camped on Mar 14, 2022 at Campsite #8
Enjoy the stay. The camp ground is clean. Foxes are cute :)
@LaurenH1850172 · Camped on Mar 13, 2022 at Campsite #8
I had an excellent time at Channel Islands national park. The Park Ranger gave everyone an informative orientation as we departed the boat. The trails are well maintained and the sights are gorgeous!
@JacobC3707411 · Camped on Mar 2, 2022 at Campsite #8
This is an incredible area! We went right as a big windstorm was coming so we were glad to have a strong tent and extra food since we got stuck out for an extra day. All of the hikes from scorpion anchorage are worth doing, especially scorpion canyon and smugglers cove. The beach at smugglers is the better beach for sure.
@katherine25017 · Camped on Jan 15, 2022 at Campsite #8
Love this campground. Very quiet minus the foxes fighting at night. But its part of the experience. I suggest bringing plenty of lights for night time as it gets very dark.
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