Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground
34.0480, -119.5611 · Park boundary: National Park Service
Primitive camping is available (25 individual sites at $15 per night-per site and 6 group sites at $40 per night-per site; reservations required). Picnic table, food storage box, potable water, and pit toilet are provided. Distance from landing to campground is one-half mile.
- Every day
- All Day
Santa Cruz Island campground is open year round.
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Advanced camping reservations are required for all of the park's campgrounds. There are no entrance fees to visit the park. However, a reservation fee of $15.00 per site-per night is charged for the 25 individual sites at Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground. This this fee covers up to six people. For the six group sites the fee is $40.00 per site-per night and covers up to 15 people.
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Advanced camping reservations are required for all of the park's campgrounds. There are no entrance fees to visit the park. However, a reservation fee of $15.00 per site-per night is charged for camping on the islands.
- Drinking water
- Yes - year round
- Food storage lockers
- Yes - year round
- Host on site
- Yes - year round
- Toilets
- Vault Toilets - year round
- Amphitheater
- No
- Camp store
- No
- Cell reception
- No
- Dump station
- No
- Firewood for sale
- No
- Ice for sale
- No
- Internet
- No
- Laundry
- No
- Showers
- None
- Trash & recycling
- No
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
- RVs
- Not allowed
- Trailers
- Not allowed
- Access roads
- No Roads
- Classification
- Primitive Camping Areas
Due to Santa Cruz Island's isolation and transportation requirements, the Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground has limited accessibility for individuals in wheelchairs or those with limited mobility. Please contact Island Packers (805-642-1393) for more information on wheelchair access on their boats to Santa Cruz Island. Please contact the visitor center (805-658-5730) for more on-island transportation information.
Due to Santa Cruz Island's isolation and transportation requirements, the Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground has limited accessibility for individuals in wheelchairs or those with limited mobility. Please contact Island Packers (805-642-1393) for more information on wheelchair access on their boats to Santa Cruz Island. Please contact the visitor center (805-658-5730) for more on-island transportation information.
No fires are permitted. Use only enclosed, gas camp stoves.
Santa Cruz Island is only accessible via boat. All campgrounds are located away from the boat landing areas. Visitors must carry all their gear to the campgrounds. No on-island transportation is provided.
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground is only accessible by boat. Visit our island transportation webpage for more information: http://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/island-transportation.htm The hike to the campground is .5 miles from the boat landing.
Campers should be prepared for a variety of weather conditions. Sturdy, low-profile tents, stakes, and line for securing tents to ground or table. Fog can occur on the islands during any season producing cool, damp conditions. Overexposure to the wind and sun can be a serious problem. Visitors are advised to bring supplies for an extra day in case boats are unable to pick up campers due to sea conditions. Current weather: http://channelislands.noaa.gov/news/kiosk.h
There are two campgrounds that provide family and group camping, the lower campground is about a half mile from the pier. Continuing on the road for an additional half mile is the upper campground. Both areas are flat and have shade provided by large eucalyptus trees, picnic tables and food boxes.
Drive to Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground
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