Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park
Reviewed Jun. 30, 2018

Bucket-List-Amazing Island Camping off California Coast

This place had been on my bucket-list of camping forever and it takes a decent amount of planning because not only can you only access the campground by private boat, once there you have to walk in about a 1/2 mile with all your stuff. It's totally worth it however. Incredible views, perfect weather (in April!), amazing flowers and so much to see and do.

The campsite itself is "basic" in that it has a vault toilet, water, and "fox boxes" (like the bear boxes in other campgrounds) to keep all the cute but quick and greedy foxes away from your food. There's also picnic tables, but other than that make sure you bring everything you need since there's no way to pop into a local store to grab something you might have forgotten. No camp fires are allowed and all garbage must be packed out (but can be stored in the fox boxes until you're ready to leave).

At only $15/night, the camp sites are a steal, though the boat trips will add on about $80 per person round-trip (slightly less for kids). 8am is the earliest boat ride and 4:30 is the last (via Island Packers).

Summary/Tips: Do it! Especially if you love hiking, this is an amazing place. Try to get your gear down to one well-planned backpack (or perhaps one of those foldy wagons as another reviewer recommended) so you only have to take one trip to the campsite, though you can always take more trips if needed.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park by Corinna B., June 30, 2018
  • Review photo of Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park by Corinna B., June 30, 2018
  • Review photo of Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park by Corinna B., June 30, 2018
  • Review photo of Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park by Corinna B., June 30, 2018
  • Review photo of Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park by Corinna B., June 30, 2018
  • Review photo of Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park by Corinna B., June 30, 2018
  • Review photo of Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park by Corinna B., June 30, 2018
  • Review photo of Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park by Corinna B., June 30, 2018
  • Review photo of Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park by Corinna B., June 30, 2018
  • Review photo of Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park by Corinna B., June 30, 2018