RT Scorpion Anchorage

Harbor and beach area offering access to sea caves, hiking trails, snorkeling, and camping, serving as the main landing site for visitors to Santa Cruz Island.

General Information

Hours:

Accessible year-round via Island Packers ferry service
Pier available for passenger landing; no services on site

Fees:

No entrance fee for Channel Islands National Park
Island Packers ferry service: $63–$85 per adult depending on season and route
Camping: $15 per night at Scorpion Canyon Campground

Pet Policy:

Pets are not allowed

Closest cities with hotels:

Ventura, CA (20 mi by boat)

Seasons:

Summer and Fall recommended for kayaking, snorkeling, and calm seas; Spring offers wildflowers and wildlife; Winter can be rough with limited access

Location:

Scorpion Anchorage, Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park

Website:

nps.gov

How to Get There

From Los Angeles (70 mi to Ventura Harbor): Take US-101 N to Victoria Ave in Ventura, then follow signs to Ventura Harbor Village where Island Packers ferry departs to Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island.

Overview

The Scorpion Anchorage area on Santa Cruz Island is the most popular gateway to Channel Islands National Park, offering a wide range of outdoor activities and natural beauty. Located on the island’s northeast coast, Scorpion features a mixed sand and cobblestone beach, a newly renovated pier for ferry access, and nearby trails leading to scenic overlooks like Cavern Point and Potato Harbor. The clear waters and rocky shoreline make it ideal for snorkeling and sea cave kayaking, while the surrounding hills and valleys provide excellent hiking opportunities. The area is also home to the Scorpion Canyon Campground, a family-friendly site with basic amenities and access to the beach.

Santa Cruz Island is the largest of the Channel Islands and boasts a rich ecological and cultural history. Scorpion Anchorage was once the site of a working ranch, and remnants of its past can still be seen in the interpretive center and historic structures. Today, the area is managed by the National Park Service and The Nature Conservancy, preserving its unique biodiversity and geological features. Visitors may encounter endemic species like the island fox and island scrub-jay, and marine life such as sea lions and garibaldi. With no services on the island, guests must come prepared, but the reward is an immersive experience in one of California’s most pristine coastal environments.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for Scorpion Anchorage, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.