25
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 |
8/7
Campsite #25 Features: Walk-In access, Back-In parking, Food Storage Locker, Picnic Table, Tent Site, No Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (19)
4.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 84% |
| 4 star | | 11% |
| 3 star | | 5% |
| 2 star | | 0% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@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!
@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.
@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.
@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!!!
@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.
@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.
@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.
@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
@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.
@MichaelB697476 · Camped on May 10, 2023 at Campsite #25
Could not have been better. Quiet.
@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.
@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.
@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.
@RAYB275 · Camped on Aug 12, 2021 at Campsite #25
The trip was awesome. The Ranger on duty was very helpful and courteous.
One negative (always right)......... I think things would run smoother on the pier (loading the boat) if all passengers had to wait until the campers gear was on board to board. The ramp to the boat is narrow and hard to bring gear down the ramp while loading passengers at the same time.
I remember back when this was done and it was MUCH smoother.
One negative (always right)......... I think things would run smoother on the pier (loading the boat) if all passengers had to wait until the campers gear was on board to board. The ramp to the boat is narrow and hard to bring gear down the ramp while loading passengers at the same time.
I remember back when this was done and it was MUCH smoother.
@GraceB364 · Camped on Apr 18, 2021 at Campsite #25
We had a lovely time camping! The upper loop campsites are a bit more spread out and quieter if you're looking for a more relaxed experience, but the walk up is a little challenging! Be advised, there are water pumps on the island at the campsites, strictly for drinking. I still recommend bringing your own water for rinsing dishes, washing hands/faces, or anything else you may need.
@NicoleS733 · Camped on Apr 15, 2021 at Campsite #25
Very nicely set up campground. We stayed at the upper loop number 25 and had beautiful views and privacy. Bathrooms were surprisingly clean. Breeze at night under the eucalyptus trees was delightful.
@RebeccaH698 · Camped on Apr 12, 2021 at Campsite #25
We chose one of the campsites furthest from the pier and it was amazing! There are a few single campsites among the group sites but since they aren't currently booking the group sites we were basically all by ourselves. Our tent was at the edge of a small grove of about 30 eucalyptus trees next to a meadow at the base of rugged hills. The view was breathtaking! The bathrooms look brand new and are kept very clean. The water spigot is up high and easy to turn on and off making filling our water containers easy. The Fox Box was clean and secure and big enough to hold all of our gear and food. The Ranger and other staff were wonderful, listen to their advice they KNOW what they are talking about! There are opportunities to kayak and scuba dive (must book ahead). The trails can be steep but are very rewarding. The island is still recovering from the devastation of sheep and hog farming, however it has come a long way already! You are pretty much guaranteed to see at least one fox and they are adorable. Be sure to stop in the little visitor center and spend some time learning about the history of the island, it's fascinating and surprising. This was our introduction to the Channel Islands and we are very excited to visit, and hopefully camp on, the others.
@CindyG779 · Camped on Mar 1, 2021 at Campsite #25
A true dream staying here. Stayed in the upper loop while the lower one was closed for maintenance. This particular campground is shaded with Eucalyptus trees is in more like in a ravine so protected from most wind while we were there. Bathrooms were clean and stocked, and the water available tasted fine. It does start to get dark and cold early in the evening and no campfires are allowed so early tent time looked like a thing.
Most of the hikes from the campground start at a high grade. The easiest way to smugglers cove is to go back towards the pier and go up from the Southside. It was a beautiful hike, but definitely had its super steep parts toward the end and coming back was felt harder. Be prepared for lots of wind while you hike and drastic temp differences, they are also mostly uncovered.
Most of the hikes from the campground start at a high grade. The easiest way to smugglers cove is to go back towards the pier and go up from the Southside. It was a beautiful hike, but definitely had its super steep parts toward the end and coming back was felt harder. Be prepared for lots of wind while you hike and drastic temp differences, they are also mostly uncovered.
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