California · published-coordinate region
Santa Cruz Island Scorpion
Look beyond the campground name. Compare the actual sites and the details that matter to your trip.
National Park Service31Supported overnight records
2Published site categories
31Sites with a reported party limit
A useful starting point, not a fit guarantee. Site-specific warnings are absent from this export. Published lengths may include a tow vehicle. Check the official site page for current notes, restrictions, approach and configuration before booking. No live availability is shown.
A closer look at the campground
Overview
Fantastic ocean views and relaxing beach time is practically guaranteed at Scorpion Canyon Campground, the most family-friendly campsite on Santa Cruz Island. Set on the eastern part of the island, the campground is a short hike from the pier and is sheltered from harsh ocean winds.
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.
For more information about Santa Cruz Island visit: https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/santa-cruz-island.htm .
Recreation
With its easy beach access and generally good weather, this area offers the most recreational activities in the park, including 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.Facilities
Primitive camping is available at Scorpion Canyon Campground with 25 individual sites which accommodate up to six persons per site; and six group sites with up to 15 persons per site. Picnic table, food storage box, pit toilet, and water are provided. The campground is a flat 1/2 mile to 1 mile hike from the pier. Access to the island is by Island Packers Cruises or by private boat.Natural Features
The beach near the campground is a mix of sand and rocks, and faces the Santa Barbara Channel. The campground is located in a valley with a mixture of trees and shrubs. Rugged mountain peaks rise above the campground to 1,808 feet.
Nearby Attractions
Hiking options are unlimited and offer spectacular coastal views. Try the 2 mile round-trip Cavern Point Loop hike for views of the island's mountain peaks, and the southern California coastline. This popular hike takes you past antique ranching equipment and historic buildings for a taste of island ranch history. For more advanced hikers, tackle the 7.5-mile round-trip hike from the campground to Smugglers Cove.
Full operator-supplied campground description · Scroll within the panel for more · Amenities may be shared by the campground, not present at every site
How much is documented?
Reported fields across the 31 supported campsite records here. A reported value can still need interpretation; missing values remain unknown in the planner.
Party limit
31
Vehicle limit
0
Vehicle length
0
Driveway entry
0
Shade
31
Bars show counts, not a quality, accessibility or suitability score.
The campsite mix
Tent Only Nonelectric
25
Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
6
Operator directions
Boat transportation can be arranged with Island Packers from Ventura Harbor.
To park headquarters in Ventura, Ca: exit Highway 101, at Victoria or Seaward to Ventura Harbor.
Campground-level source text. Confirm the current route and road conditions with the operator.
THE ACTUAL SITES
31 published campsite records
Raw published values are shown below, including zeros and ambiguous text. They are not validated capacities. The planner keeps missing, zero and questionable dimensions unknown.
View all 31 published site records
| SITE / LOOP | TYPE | EQUIPMENT LIMITS | PEOPLE / VEHICLES | DRIVEWAY | ELECTRIC / SHADE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site 001 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 002 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 003 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 004 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 005 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 006 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 007 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 008 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 009 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 010 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 011 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 012 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 013 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 014 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 015 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 016 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 017 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 018 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 019 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 020 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 021 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 022 Lower Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 023 Upper Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 024 Upper Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 025 Upper Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Tent Only Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 6 people 0 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site A Upper Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 15 people Not reported vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site B Upper Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 15 people Not reported vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site C Upper Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 15 people Not reported vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site D Upper Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 15 people Not reported vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site E Upper Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 15 people Not reported vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site F Upper Loop Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | Tent: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 15 people Not reported vehicles | Not reported Not reported | Not reported Shade: Yes |
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