Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry
Channel Islands National Park
For a truly remote getaway full of backpacking and breathtaking scenery, take a backcountry trip to Santa Cruz Island's Del Norte Campground. Del Norte is currently the only backcountry campground on Santa Cruz Island. The National Park Service opened this backcountry site in recognition of its rare wilderness values. As you explore these wild areas, please take the responsibility to help us protect and preserve these delicate natural resources for future generations.
While backcountry camping is an incredible experience, it is not for the inexperienced backpacker. Due to difficult weather, rugged terrain, and off-trail hiking, backcountry camping is an arduous endeavor and should be undertaken only by experienced, well-conditioned backpackers.
To reach this backcountry site, visitors will backpack along a historic ranch road/trail through a series of canyons and ridges, to a vista about 700 feet above sea level. This moderate to strenuous 3.5-mile hike from Prisoners Harbor travels through island oak woodlands and coastal sage scrub plant communities.
The Del Norte Campground has four primitive campsites (four persons per site) and users must camp within these designated sites. A picnic table and pit-style toilet are provided (campers must bring their own toilet paper). Visitors are encouraged to pack as light as possible (backpacking style) as they will need to carry all of their gear, food and water to the campsite. Water is not available. Access to the island is by Island Packers Cruises or by private boat.
Need to Know
- Santa Cruz Island may only be reached by boat. Visitors are required to arrange boat transportation to the island before reserving a campsite. Contact the park's authorized concessioner Island Packers or use your own private boat.
During winter and spring, Del Norte campground campers will need to be prepared for a wet creek crossing at Canada del Puerto in Prisoner's Harbor. Visitors may have to wade through fast moving water up to 2 feet deep.
Camping reservations are required prior to arriving on the island. There are NO walk-ups at this facility.
One party or group may reserve a maximum of 2 individual sites per visit. There are 4 individual campsites. Max 4 people per site.
This is a backcountry campground that requires a 3.5-mile moderate to strenuous hike. You must carry all your gear, including water. Due to difficult weather and rugged terrain, backcountry camping is an arduous endeavor and should be undertaken only by experience, well-conditioned backpackers.
- Upon arrival, meet ranger at beach, landing dock or campground. However, park staff is not always available on the island. Please have confirmation letter, receipt, or campsite number with you.
Primitive camping. Tent camping only, no electricity/water/sewer site hook-ups at this campground. Bring low profile tents and extra food for weather delays. Partial shade from trees. Picnic table, food storage box, and pit toilet (bring your own toilet paper) provided. No stores or services. Must bring your own water. One gallon of water per person per day is recommended.
Quiet time is enforced at 10:00 pm. Check-in and check-out times are at 11:00 a.m.
- Proper food and trash storage is required. Food/Trash storage lockers are provided at each site. Recommend hard-sided container (i.e. action packer) to further protect food/garbage from animals.
- Visitors are required to pack out what they pack in, including garbage.
- No campfires or charcoal fires. Only enclosed gas camp stoves are allowed.
- Smoking is only allowed on beach areas at Scorpion, Smugglers, and Prisoners Harbors.
- Avoid contact with deer mice. Hantavirus has been found in island deer mice. For more information visit: https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/hantavirus.htm.
To help prevent the introduction of nonnative species the following items may not be brought to the park: pets; live or potted plants; soil; cut flowers; firewood or any untreated, unfinished wood (including hiking sticks); corrugated boxes; tools or equipment with attached soil; motorized vehicles; bicycles; and single-use plastic grocery bags. Prior to departure, visitors are required to use pest-proof packing materials, inspect and clean their gear and shoes of all soil, seeds, and insects. Learn more about biosecurity and watch the required video at Protect Your Park Through Biosecurity.
- No fishing in marine reserves. California fishing license and ocean enhancement sticker required to fish outside marine reserves.
- Kayakers: ocean conditions can rapidly change, requiring expert abilities. Ocean kayaking is an inherently dangerous activity. Always check weather and do not kayak beyond your experience level.
Natural Features
Del Norte is nestled in a shaded oak grove and provides scenic views of the island's pristine coastline.
The largest of California's Channel Islands, Santa Cruz Island is one of the five islands that make up the Channel Islands National Park. The island is rich in cultural history, magnificent landscapes, and unique flora and fauna. Native American Indians inhabited the island for over 10,000 years and Europeans explored and ranched on the island for over 150 years.
Over 600 plant species, 140 land birds, 11 land mammals and a handful of amphibians and reptiles call the island their home. The island fox and island scrub-jay are exciting finds, as they're unique to the island, found nowhere else in the world.
Recreation
From Prisoners Harbor, the shortest route to the Del Norte Campground is 3.5 miles via the Del Norte Trail. Follow the Navy Road out of Prisoners Harbor for 1.5 miles (600-foot elevation gain; strenuous). This gravel road is still used daily by vehicles, so please use caution while hiking along it. During winter and spring, visitors need to be prepared for a wet creek crossing at Canada del Puerto in Prisoner's Harbor.
At the signed turn-off for Del Norte Trail, leave the gravel road and continue east (left) along the trail for 1.8 miles. The trail winds up and down two canyons (Cañada del Agua and Cañada del Muro)) to the signed junction with the Del Norte Road that leads .2 miles to the campground.
The longer route (5 miles), which provides views of the south side of the island, follows the Navy Road as it climbs 1,200 feet over 4 miles and eventually reaches the junction with the Del Norte Road. At the signed junction, turn north (left) and descend 1 mile to the campground.
From Scorpion Anchorage, Del Norte Campground is approximately 12 miles via the Navy Road.
Beach access is at Prisoners Harbor. There is no access to the beach at Del Norte Campground.
Recreational activities on Santa Cruz Island include hiking, swimming, snorkeling, diving, kayaking and wildlife/wildflower viewing. There are no services on the island, so all gear has to be brought to the island. Guided kayak trips and kayak rentals must be arranged before arriving on the island. For more information about recreational activities in the park, visit https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/index.htm .
Contact Information
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1901 Spinnaker Drive Ventura CA 93001
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 805-658-5730
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
Boat transportation can be arranged with Island Packers from Ventura Harbor.
To park headquarters in Ventura, California: Highway 101, exit Victoria or Seaward to Ventura Harbor.
Available Campsites
- Site 002 old, Loop BACKCOUNTRY AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 004 old, Loop BACKCOUNTRY AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 003 old, Loop BACKCOUNTRY AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop BACKCOUNTRY AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop BACKCOUNTRY AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop BACKCOUNTRY AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 001 old, Loop BACKCOUNTRY AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop BACKCOUNTRY AREA, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
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