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Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground

98%

54 sites · RV, Tent

Santa Cruz Island is a little more than 10% National Park and the rest is under the Nature Conservancy. This campground is on the northeastern shore of the island, a flat and easy walk from the landing site. There are 40 sites that are pretty close to each other if the campground is totally full, but hey, the more the merrier-- living on an island is definitely a bonding experience. Campfires are actually allowed here, but only duraflame logs can be burned. There are picnic tables and pit toilets and you’ll have to bring plenty of your own water! Backcountry camping is available here, see the backpacking section under activities.

What this place offers

Campfire allowed

No pets allowed

No showers

Toilets

Potable water

Picnic tables

No sewage hookups

No electric hookups

54 sites

RV, Tent

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98%

50 ratings · 15 reviews

Recommends

· September 2025

Come prepared

Tent · Group trip

An amazing experience, but read all the website so you understand what is involved. A wallk from the boat to the campground feels like a slog with all the provisions. But night skies are gorgeous, and the hiking and kayaking were great. Totally worth it.

Faith Z.

11 reviews

Recommends

· January 2019

Put this on your list! It’s untouched California perfection. It’s technically back country camping but there are pit toilets. We saw a blue whale on the way out and there were plenty of foxes to keep us on our toes! We got stuck out here two extra days because of a storm (we were warned and decided to ride it out!) with most people having left on the last boat before the storm it meant we had the island to ourselves for two days!! So worth a night of terrifying winds and rain! There are tons of gorgeous hikes with views worth a million bucks. And you can swim/snorkel/dive but it’s chilly, I’d recommend a wetsuit even in summer. But I’m also a wimp.

Bea L.

6 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· November 2017

This is a remote island where you will need to pack everything in as well as everything out. One of the things that makes it so beautiful is the remote nature you'll find such as the island fox. Beware of the Ravens, they have learned how to open zippers and unattended bags in parts of the island. If you feel extra adventurous you can explore the coast via kayak. The sea cave tours are incredible, and keep an eye out for seals.

Craig T.

8 years on Hipcamp

September 2017

One of the best trips we have ever taken as a family. An adventurous and informative boat trip to the island is over before you get tired of it. Once on dry land, it's about .5mi to the campsite. When we arrived, squatters were in our site. Fortunately, the ranger was easy to find and they were on the boat out of there in no time. Lots of fun and semi-challenging hikes around the island and tons of history to be learned. The wildlife is awesome. Just don't let the foxes snag your trail mix! Our neighbs were a spearfishing couple and brought us a heaping handful of steaming lemony peppery fresh caught/cooked sheephead fish which I will never forget the flavor of I plan to do some fishing and kayaking next time. Highly recommended!

Jack R.

8 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· July 2017

Upper loop has group sites which can get noisy, but also has three three most secluded non-group sites with incredible views. Toilets were well lit during the day, but though "maintained" by park staff daily, were pretty gross and in desperate need of pumping.

Joshua D.

8 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· July 2017

Pack a portable little grill

David T.

8 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· June 2017

Amazing place,

Gregorio M.

8 years on Hipcamp

May 2017

We camped in March and it was INCREDIBLE! We hiked through wildflowers taller than us, saw whales, dolphins, and the cutest baby seal sleeping on the beach. So much life and diversity. Group sites at the upper loop can be a little windy. Lower loop looked a little more protected. Securing transportation prior to booking a campsite is not required but recommended. The ferry can sell out and you just want to be sure you can get there before booking a campsite. However, if sites are available it's likely seats on the ferry will be too.

Lucie S.

8 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· March 2017

Rent Kayaks!

Matthew S.

8 years on Hipcamp

March 2017

I love camping on Santa Cruz Island. I've camped at both Del Norte, which is a long hike-in site, and the more popular Scorpion multiple times. I've been there in hot summer, stormy winter (we were evacuated 2 days before Christmas during a crazy rain/wind storm), and nice spring time. I'd say winter and spring time are the most beautiful. Hikes are amazing. The foxes are really cute, but be super careful about leaving ANYTHING out of sight for even a second... my friend put a block of cheese on the picnic table and went back to the 'bear safe' for something else, and in that time a fox had jumped up on the table and ran away with the whole block. At night thousands of them run everywhere around the campsites like a rushing river.

William C.

8 years on Hipcamp

March 2017

Use Islandpackers for your travel out of Ventura (http://islandpackers.com/). If you want a real backpacking trip you can hike from one side of the island to the other. These trails were used for ranching so they are very hilly and there's no drinking water. The birds are super aggressive. Make sure you don't leave food in your pack. The birds can unzip zippers.

Stacie S.

8 years on Hipcamp

December 2016

What an adventure. We packed a big lunch and dinner for day one in a tote we could easily store into our backpacks. We each had a 4L camelback and 32oz water bottle. We started out the 2nd morning around 430am, chugging as mach water as we could. Then started off on our 5 hour hike to Del Norte Campground 12 miles in. It was breathtaking as the scenery changed drastically as we went. Del Norte has no water so save your juice and bring food that doesnt require much water to cook. Slept like a baby and arranged to be picked up from prisoners Harbor the following morning. Not an easy hike but worth every second. Can't wait to come back.

Davy G.

9 years on Hipcamp

November 2015

You would never guess this much nature is so close to LA. Book your boat ride with Island Packers. Expensive, but there's no way around it without a helicopter connection. Reserve one of two types of sites with NPS: the easy site .5 miles from the dock or the holy cow I have to climb THAT MOUNTAIN to get there site that is a minimum 10 mile hike across the island. Worth it. A map is non negotiable. Using Nat Geo's map plus "A guide to eastern santa cruz island" I STILL got lost but that was 2 parts exhaustion and 1 part the sign had fallen down and I made the wrong gamble. Springs are marked on the maps, but don't expect actual water. Pack it all in! Prepare for cute foxes who WILL steal your food when your back is turned.

Aja P.

3 reviews

June 2015

You'll have to secure transportation to the Island first before booking a campsite. It's very simple tho. http://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/island-transportation.htm

Ezequiel G.

26 reviews

May 2015

Great base for exploring Santa Cruz island! Wonderful kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking nearby. Interesting wildlife around campsite as well- we saw an island spotted skunk and digger bees.