Site: C, Loop: Upper Loop
- Part of Channel Islands National Park | Near Ventura, California
- Santa Cruz Scorpion
No Campfire Allowed
Site Availability
January – February 2025
January 2025
February 2025
This site follows the campground booking window. Group sites at this campground operate on a 6-month rolling basis:
- Can be booked through Tue, July 8th 2025. Select dates for availability.
- On January 09, 2025 at 03:00 pm GMT, availability will be released through July 09, 2025.
Campground Map
Site Details
Site Type: Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
Site Accessible: No
Check-In: 12:00 PM
Check-Out: 11:00 AM
Max Num of People: 15
Min Num of People: 13
Type of Use: Overnight
Site Reserve Type: Site-Specific
Campfire Allowed: No
Hike in Distance: 4220
Pets Allowed: No
Proximity to Water: Island
Shade: Yes
Site Access: Hike-In
Allowable Equipment
None Specified
Allowable Vehicle / Driveway Details
- Is Equipment Mandatory: No
Amenities
- Beach Access
- Food Storage Locker
- Interpretive Trails
- Picnic Area
- Picnic Tables
- Ranger Station
- Shade
- Trailheads
- Vault Toilets
- Visitor Center
- Water Spigot
- Drinking Water
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.
- Camping reservations are required prior to arriving on the island. There are NO walk-ups at this facility.
- There are 25 individual campsites. Max 6 people per site. Max 3 tents per site. A party or group of 12 or less may reserve a maximum of 2 individual sites.
- A party or group of 13 or more are not allowed in individual sites and must use the group sites (A-F) in the upper campground.
- There are 6 group sites. Minimum 13 people per site. Max 15 people per site. No more than 3 group sites per party or group.
- A party or group of 46 or more may not reserve any sites through recreation.gov and must contact the park to obtain a special use permit: https://www.nps.gov/chis/learn/management/special-use-permits.htm.
- 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.
- 1/2 mile to 1 mile hike to campground. Visitors must carry all their own gear.
- 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 drinking water provided. No stores or services.
- Quiet time is enforced at 10:00 pm.
- 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.
- 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.
Guest Reviews (9)
- 5 out of 5 stars
Amy M
Submitted on 11/18/2024Loop: Upper Loop, Site: CReservation Dates: 11/10/2024 - 11/11/2024We lucked out with beautiful weather--not too windy. Enjoyed kayaking and hiking and relaxing at our camp site. Magical place.
Was this review helpful? - 5 out of 5 stars
Kristin F
Submitted on 5/24/2024Loop: Upper Loop, Site: CReservation Dates: 5/3/2024 - 5/5/2024This is an amazing place. Santa Cruz Island is spectacular. The views are incredible and the hiking trails are perfect for anyone in your group…beginners and experienced can find something they like. ...
Phone Carrier: T-MobileCoverage Strength: (1) Major IssuesWas this review helpful? - 5 out of 5 stars
MICHAEL S
Submitted on 4/26/2024Loop: Upper Loop, Site: CReservation Dates: 4/16/2024 - 4/18/2024Santa Cruz is a beautiful island, very simple and peaceful. There are several hiking options from the campgrounds offering hikes of different lengths. Snorkeling is wonderful along the kelp beds near...
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SANTA CRUZ SCORPION
- Site C, Loop Upper Loop