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Channel Islands National Park › California
› Ventura County
› Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground
› Campsite #2
Campsite #2 at Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground, Channel Islands National Park, CA
$15
Tent Site #2
| Walk-In | 6 people |
| 0 | weak |
3/4
4/16
Campsite #2 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% |
@KeenuMACCF6BDB · Camped on Jan 1, 2026 at Campsite #2
One of the best campsites I've ever camped at, highly recommend
No Service
@LarryM8356646 · Camped on Oct 30, 2025 at Campsite #2
Bathrooms desperately needed cleaning
No Service
@VirginiaM64D26 · Camped on Oct 19, 2025 at Campsite #2
Amazing experience! Site 2 was private !
No Service
@AnnaG4813831 · Camped on Sep 3, 2025 at Campsite #2
Great primitive camping with clean pit toilets and convenient water spigots. Theres no lighting in the area, so be sure to bring flashlights, fairy lights, or headlamps. The campground is in a eucalyptus grove, and we didn't see any mosquitoes or other biting insects (camped in September). Group sites are set a bit apart, and even with a group of teenagers nearby, we heard no noise. Be aware of birds and foxes. When the ranger tells you to keep food within arm's reach, please take it seriously. Foxes are not aggressive, just persistent; one even lingered after I pointed a flashlight at it.
No Service
@BrendanM393331 · Camped on Jul 6, 2025 at Campsite #2
one of the best parks I've ever been to. Unique and beautiful. Will return!
Major Issues
@GeraldS3169904 · Camped on Oct 21, 2024 at Campsite #2
Santa Cruz Island is beautiful and has a fascinating history. Seeing the foxes as well as all the birds was really cool and kayaking in the sea caves was awesome.
No Service
@TimW5397967 · Camped on Sep 8, 2024 at Campsite #2
Great time! Sometimes hard to figure out how to plan this trip if its your first time. Book a camping site first then book ferry tickets. First timers think its back packing style. Think minimalist car camping you can bring coolers and chairs so be comfortable. If you want to bring your own kayaks just tell them and they charge you $21 to do so. Such a wonderful spot to explore!
@WhitneyD372659 · Camped on Jun 29, 2024 at Campsite #2
Its a remote camping experience but beautiful countryside and decent amenities
No Service
@GregoryD246439 · Camped on Nov 22, 2023 at Campsite #2
Pretty standard NPS campground. Most sites are located in a large open space with little to no demarcation/privacy between sites. Stayed at site #2, which is one of the few that is away from the mess of other campers. Try to secure one of the sites on the south side of the path of the best sites. Fine stay. Island foxes are ubiquitous.
No Service
@TimW5397967 · Camped on Nov 21, 2023 at Campsite #2
Overall good experience
@LorraineB28049 · Camped on Nov 15, 2023 at Campsite #2
Great experience. Felt very isolated despite being at an established campground - like backpacking with a few extra conveniences. Just a short walk to the pier. Site 2 was the best, with a little tree coverage and the smell of eucalyptus trees.
Major Issues
@SteveN82C23E0C · Camped on Sep 6, 2023 at Campsite #2
Great island getaway. Highly recommend the kayak tours, and an extra thanks to Chuck for pulling me out of the water.
Some Coverage
@AllisonS114048 · Camped on Jun 20, 2023 at Campsite #2
One of my favorite National parks for sure!!
Major Issues
@MarkM2223984 · Camped on Jun 17, 2023 at Campsite #2
2 is the best and most private site in the lower loop.
Major Issues
@WilsonS6124952 · Camped on Apr 16, 2023 at Campsite #2
My husband and I camped on Santa Cruz Island for 2 nights on 4/17 and 4/18. We camped at the Scorpion campground in lot #2. We loved our lot as it was peaceful and a bit tucked away from the other campers. We also had a gorgeous view from our site of the side of the mountain. It was beautiful but a bit chilly and with the breeze it was very cold after the sun went down so if you come in April be prepared with some warm clothing. We hiked up to Potato Cove and we were rewarded with beautiful shoreline views! We did the sea cave kayaking with Adventure Kayaks and it was an amazing excursion. We absolutely loved our time on the Island. Also on the Island Packers ferry on the way out to the Island we were able to see humpback whales very close to the boat that were quite active. That was a real treat!
No Service
@ReillyJB437501 · Camped on Dec 28, 2022 at Campsite #2
Loved this campground! Its small and quiet but beautiful. Very clean, excellent views of the surrounding hills, Island foxes, and the endemic island scrub jay! Would definitely camp here again.
Some Coverage
@SeanM2349912 · Camped on Oct 20, 2022 at Campsite #2
Lots of easy trails to hike. Snorkeling is great, bring a wetsuit. Foxes are cute until the run off with something.
@RobertF6718628 · Camped on Aug 17, 2022 at Campsite #2
Santa Cruz Island is such a magical place to get disconnected from the world.
No Service
@CraigB4500034 · Camped on Apr 13, 2022 at Campsite #2
Dramatic scenery, friendly guides and park rangers. Well maintained toilets. Was great to get out of the city and back to nature for a while and was the perfect place to do it.
Major Issues
@ClariceO47E229 · Camped on Mar 17, 2022 at Campsite #2
This was a great trip. The campgrounds were nice, quiet and clean. The bathrooms were also clean and there is water on site. The campground is a short walk from the ferry and trailhead. We did several short hikes, caught sunset and the sunrise and did the longer kayak trip. Everything was great. We would love to come back and explore more.
Major Issues
@perrysCF34C842 · Camped on Feb 21, 2022 at Campsite #2
All info on the site was accurate. Had a great trip
Major Issues
@PhilipM3845838 · Camped on Feb 19, 2022 at Campsite #2
Superb scenery! The camp is very convenient to the ferry landing and facilities are good.
No Service
@KimberlyG831 · Camped on Jan 5, 2022 at Campsite #2
Unbelievable experience. Perfect weather, very few people. Absolutely gorgeous. Campsite had everything I needed. Restrooms were clean. Hiking was a great adventure!
Some Coverage
@AnneB245 · Camped on Dec 28, 2021 at Campsite #2
We hiked across the island and I would suggest it to anyone visiting. You just can't experience the island fully without getting into the mountains!
Some Coverage
@BradleyD806 · Camped on Dec 8, 2021 at Campsite #2
Hiked in from Del Norte backcountry campsite/Prisoners Cove. Scorpion Ranch was beautiful. The off season is definitely where its at. Me and my buddy were the only humans there for hours until a volunteer ranger showed up via massive Ocean NSP ranger boat (SICK!).
The Foxes and Ravens aren’t afraid of getting all up in your business so make sure to put EVERYTHING in the bear canisters before heading out to check the coast out. Also, don’t spill boiling hot ramen all over yourself. Will lead to slight burns on your thighs and then the foxes will not leave your site alone the rest of the night.
Campground was very clean as were the toilets. People said the water tasted funny so bring Nuun tablets to counter act that.
The Foxes and Ravens aren’t afraid of getting all up in your business so make sure to put EVERYTHING in the bear canisters before heading out to check the coast out. Also, don’t spill boiling hot ramen all over yourself. Will lead to slight burns on your thighs and then the foxes will not leave your site alone the rest of the night.
Campground was very clean as were the toilets. People said the water tasted funny so bring Nuun tablets to counter act that.
Major Issues
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