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Channel Islands National Park › California
› Ventura County
› Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground
› Campsite #25
Campsite #25 at Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground, Channel Islands National Park, CA
$15
Tent Site #25
| Walk-In | 6 people |
| 0 | fair |
3/5
4/22
Campsite #25 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 | | 88% |
| 4 star | | 8% |
| 3 star | | 4% |
| 2 star | | 0% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@KeeganPF2A1398 · Camped on Feb 1, 2026 at Campsite #25
Santa Cruz is such a special spot. Big thanks to everyone working to preserve Island. To any first-timers: bring your hiking shoes and explore as much as you can. Smugglers cove is a great first day outing fresh off the boat. The bluffs off cavern point trail are great for sunset. Oil well trail off scorpion loop is a cool spot to rest and see a rusty remnant of the islands turn of the century history.
@EdwardM9946642 · Camped on May 7, 2025 at Campsite #25
You should take the warnings about foxes, ravens, and robber jays serious. Everything the rangers warned us about I actually witnessed while I was camping.As a side note the privys were surprisingly clean. Good Job Park personnel!
Some Coverage
@KeniaT3A810F20 · Camped on Jan 18, 2025 at Campsite #25
It is a beautiful campsite and a perfect spot with canyon views. It is the furthest spot in the campground so pack lightly.
@BenjaminS87598 · Camped on Oct 21, 2024 at Campsite #25
Lovely site! Upper Scorpion gives a bit more privacy and views, assuming no large groups at group sites. 23-25 are the best. Make sure not to miss out on kayaking tour from Channel Island Adventures. Theyre pricey but worth every penny.
No Service
@KerryW9521238 · Camped on Aug 6, 2024 at Campsite #25
Channel Islands NP is stunning! Highly recommend - day trip is cool, camping was even better. Camp site was spacious to neighboring sites, had a large secure storage box for food/gear, and a shared potable water spigot + multiple enclosed camp toilets. We stayed at the Upper Loop site #25 and it was the absolute best! Quiet, the furthest back into the wild you could go with gorgeous views, and two large Eucalyptus trees for shade (and hammocks!). Not quite a mile walk from the water/docking area and a little further than the Lower Loop site but it was an easy dirt path to get there even hauling gear packs. Easy access to trails right off of the campsite area or main trails closer back to the harbor. Beautiful to just wander around and take it all in. The wildlife is awesome - the foxes are absolutely adorable! We were on fox watch the whole time, they would peruse the campsites in the evening. The ravens are a hoot - but be forewarned, they will steal things lol. The area down by the dock is equipped nicely with more bathrooms, changing areas, storage boxes, etc for day trippers but super convenient for just hanging out down there. The water is chilly but beautiful. Awesome kelp forests and marine life with the protected waters. Our whole experience from booking, to ferry ride out/back, the park rangers, sea kayaking (highly recommend this too! Channel Islands Adventure Company rock!), exploring - all incredible and would 100% do again.
No Service
@AmyG5673785 · Camped on Apr 23, 2024 at Campsite #25
I LOVED my adventure at Santa Cruz Island and the Upper Loop Campground was absolutely beautiful!!! I stayed at site #25 and I was surrounded by endless meadows and hills. It was breathtaking and I will definitely stay there again. Some highlights of my outing to Santa Cruz were the Sea Caves Kayak tour, hiking to Potato Harbor, sunset near Cavern Point and a hike to Smugglers Cove the next morning. This island is such a hidden gem and one of the least visited National Parks. Please check it out as it's only a one hour ferry ride from Ventura, CA!!!
Major Issues
@MIKEH4414321 · Camped on Apr 9, 2024 at Campsite #25
It was hard to fully enjoy the campground and area when there was both tree cutting taking place, starting at 7:30 AM, which was quite disruptive, as well as construction and repair work going on at the pier. I understand that work needs to be done, but it would have been more relaxing if I'd known to come a different week.
No Service
@JoshuaJDFDC2C1 · Camped on Feb 16, 2024 at Campsite #25
Amazing campsite-an absolute gem. We stayed on a holiday weekend and it was quiet and beautiful. There were lots of island foxes-dont forget to put any food in the fox box at your site! Water was fine and the bathrooms were well-stocked and maintained.
Major Issues
@YuanyuanMEFD85 · Camped on Oct 29, 2023 at Campsite #25
Short walk from the pier. Site #25 is relatively seclusive and beautiful. Right next to an open field and I saw three cute island foxes outside my tent. Bathroom is clean and the campsite has portable water. There is a notice board outside the bathroom - ranger will post any boat schedule changes there. Be aware of yellow jackets when is warm. When I visited in October 2023, there are a lot of yellow jackets at the campsite looking for water.
No Service
@JulieO4836491 · Camped on Sep 20, 2023 at Campsite #25
I think we were given a wealth of information before we arrived. We knew exactly what to expect
Some Coverage
@JulieO4836491 · Camped on Sep 19, 2023 at Campsite #25
Everything about camping on the island was explained very clearly online before we arrived, so we were well prepared. The grounds were spotless and the toilets kept clean. The campground was very nice. We enjoyed the introductory tour given by the naturalist, explaining facts about the island
Some Coverage
@KevinC5577695 · Camped on Jul 19, 2023 at Campsite #25
Excellent location. Great campground. Beautiful National Park. Lots to see and do. Kayaking is a must.
No Service
No Service
@KevinC5577695 · Camped on Jul 19, 2023 at Campsite #25
Excellent location. Great campground. Beautiful National Park. Lots to see and do. Kayaking is a must.
No Service
No Service
@MichaelB697476 · Camped on May 10, 2023 at Campsite #25
Could not have been better. Quiet.
Some Coverage
@LANH2125D94447 · Camped on Dec 17, 2022 at Campsite #25
Amazing! Best campsite I’ve had ever. My only suggestion is bring your own water, although it is claimed the water is drinkable - I personally do feel a bit uncomfortable with the taste of the tap water. Great experience and will be back again to explore more.
No Service
@LANH2125D94447 · Camped on Dec 17, 2022 at Campsite #25
Amazing! Best campsite Ive had ever. My only suggestion is bring your own water, although it is claimed the water is drinkable - I personally do feel a bit uncomfortable with the taste of the tap water. Great experience and will be back again to explore more.
No Service
@AnthonyA779648 · Camped on Oct 31, 2022 at Campsite #25
What an incredibly unique place. If you've been putting off the Channel Islands because they're not as easy to reach, toss that sentiment aside and prioritize the trip. Santa Cruz island is unbelievable beautiful, with super well-maintained, spacious campgrounds, beautiful well-maintained trails, potable water, and clean amenities. We had the entire campground to ourselves... except for the ravens and island foxes (found nowhere else in the world). Those little guys are hilarious characters.
No Service
@LoriK5737368 · Camped on Oct 5, 2022 at Campsite #25
Camp grounds and services were outstanding. Clean areas and peaceful
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@AnnaI52510E5E3 · Camped on Mar 24, 2022 at Campsite #25
Really fabulous campsite on a cool island! Fox/bear box effective, campsite well maintained, and theres a great communal feel without being too close to other campers.
No Service
@SingW8BAFF2B0C · Camped on Mar 20, 2022 at Campsite #25
awesome, the wave is a bit strong. The island has a very unique view and is great for hiking.
Major Issues
@MeghanOE9F1204 · Camped on Feb 27, 2022 at Campsite #25
Gorgeous sites with large canopy cover. Composting toilets were very well maintained. Trails are easy to navigate and water is available at both upper and lower campground. Foxes and ravens are persistent!
Some Coverage
@BrianS9986332 · Camped on Feb 7, 2022 at Campsite #25
I love National Parks!! Visiting The Channel Islands on Santa Cruz Island was amazing and exciting. The trip took some planning since my son and I also camped out 1 night. First, to camp out, create an account on Recreation.gov and reserve a campsite on the lower or higher campsite it costs $15 a night. Second, call Island Packers to reserve a round trip boat ride, unless you have your own transportation. Third, potable water is available in both campsites, easily accessible. Anything that you pack in, must be packed out !!! Very simple instructions. We saw seals, dolphins, pelicans on the boat ride to Santa Cruz Island. The boat captain was great, he slowed the boat down so his crew could pull trash out of the water so it wouldn't harm the sea life that might mistake it as food. Great experience!! I have a Passort book to our National Parks and I like getting my book stamped. If you want to do the same, go to the Channel Islands Visitor Center which is a half mile from Island Packers. There are hotels/motels only 2 miles from the boat dock in Ventura, California. We ate at Denny's the morning of February 7, 2022. Checked out of our motel and then drove 2 miles to Island Packers and waited for them to open. Super easy. Please go and enjoy this fantastic National Park !!!! The Island Fox and hiking was amazing. Thank You very much from a true mid-western fan. Brian
Some Coverage
@MichaelA969 · Camped on Nov 14, 2021 at Campsite #25
Beautiful location teaming with wildlife. Over two days I was able to see and photograph bald eagles, island foxes, dolphins, and countless other birds. The park ranger there was also extremely helpful and made the experience memorable.
Major Issues
@HanN555 · Camped on Nov 7, 2021 at Campsite #25
We stayed there overnight. It's a very nice campground, cleaned and spacey. We were nervous about the ferry there and back but everything was smoothly and on time. The weather was perfect and staffs were nice and helpful.
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