Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground

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.

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.

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!

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.

Pack a portable little grill

Amazing place,

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.

Rent Kayaks!

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.