Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry Campground
The Quick Take
Del Norte is the kind of campground that makes you earn every sunset. Getting here requires a boat to Santa Cruz Island followed by either a manageable 3.5-mile hike from Prisoners Harbor or a punishing 12-mile trek from Scorpion Anchorage -- choose wisely. With only four sites capping at four people each, this is one of the most exclusive camping experiences in the entire national park system. There are no faucets, no showers, no fires, and definitely no cell service. What you get instead is a backcountry island camp that most visitors to Channel Islands never see, miles from the crowds at Scorpion Ranch. The trade-off is total: maximum effort for maximum solitude. This campground belongs to experienced backpackers who treat logistics as part of the adventure and consider a pit toilet a luxury.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 4 sites are reservable.
Book at Channel Islands LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. No electrical hookups.
Accessibility
Due to the rugged hike, the Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry Campground is not accessible for individuals in wheelchairs or those with limited mobility. No Roads
Rules to Know
- Fires:-No fires are allowed Guidelines: -Strain or separate food particles from cooking water and pack them out.
Pro Tips
Book your campsite and island transportation together -- the boat concession has limited Prisoners Harbor stops compared to Scorpion, and landing at Prisoners Harbor cuts your hike from brutal to reasonable. Check Island Packers schedules before locking in your reservation dates, because the boat schedule drives everything.
Water is the single biggest planning challenge here. There is zero potable water at camp, and the island has no reliable year-round streams near Del Norte. Carry every drop you need -- figure on a gallon per person per day minimum, more in summer. That weight is the real cost of admission.
Use the provided food storage boxes religiously. The island fox population on Santa Cruz is recovering but bold, and island scrub-jays will ransack an unattended pack in minutes. Bring a small dry bag for your food on the trail and transfer everything to the locker the moment you arrive.
Photos
Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.comGetting There
Directions
Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry 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 3.5 miles from Prisoners Harbor and 12 miles from Scorpion Anchorage.
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