Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park
Reviewed Jul. 29, 2024

protected campground in middle of the island

Both upper and lower campgrounds get almost total shade, which provides a relief from the direct sunlight throughout the rest of the island. The vault toilets were clean. Each site comes with its own table and metal food box. Some sites are closer together, but if you get lucky you can nab one towrds the outskirts.

According to my Alltrails, lower sites were about 0.3 mile from the dock, and upper sites were about 0.6 mile.

I recommend packing dramamine, in case you get motion sickness on the 1-1.5 hour boat ride in both directions. In January, the ride out to the island was pretty chopping. The ride back was calmer, and we boated along a pod of HUNDREDS of dolphins, it was spectacular.

Month of VisitJanuary
  • Review photo of Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park by Leslie R., July 29, 2024
  • Review photo of Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park by Leslie R., July 29, 2024
  • Review photo of Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park by Leslie R., July 29, 2024
  • Review photo of Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park by Leslie R., July 29, 2024
  • Review photo of Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park by Leslie R., July 29, 2024
  • Review photo of Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park by Leslie R., July 29, 2024
  • Review photo of Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park by Leslie R., July 29, 2024
  • Review photo of Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park by Leslie R., July 29, 2024
  • Review photo of Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park by Leslie R., July 29, 2024
  • Review photo of Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park by Leslie R., July 29, 2024