Campsites at Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry Campground (2026 Guide)

Introduction

The Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry Campground is the only designated backcountry camping option on Santa Cruz Island, and getting there requires a 3.5-mile hike from Prisoners Harbor - or a 12-mile trek from Scorpion Anchorage for those arriving from the other side of the island. This isn't a campground you stumble into by accident. You have to plan for it, commit to the distance, and pack accordingly. The payoff is a primitive camping experience on an island that sees far fewer overnight visitors than its more developed neighbor at Scorpion Canyon. As of 2026, this remains the park's most remote booked campsite on the island, and for good reason. If you are looking for a complete visitor guide to the area, check out the companion resource for planning your trip.

Getting to the Campground

Access Options

There are two ways in, and they are not equal.

From Prisoners Harbor, the trail runs 3.5 miles. This is the shorter option by a wide margin and the one most first-time visitors choose. The trail climbs through coastal sage and chaparral, gaining elevation as it moves inland. Plan on 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on your pace and how much gear you are carrying.

From Scorpion Anchorage, the distance is 12 miles. That is a full-day hike with a loaded pack. Most visitors who attempt this route break it into two days or plan an early start with minimal gear. The trail connects through the island interior, passing through grassland and oak woodland before reaching the campground. Rangers will tell you this route is best suited to experienced backpackers who have trained with their packs beforehand.

Ferry Considerations

You will need to coordinate your boat schedule with your hike. Island Packers runs the ferry service to both Prisoners Harbor and Scorpion Anchorage. The Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry Campground requires you to be on the early boat to have enough daylight for the hike in, especially if you are coming from Scorpion. Cell service drops out at the mainland dock, so download your ferry confirmation and campground reservation before you leave home.

Trail Conditions

The trail surface varies from packed dirt to loose gravel in sections. The elevation gain is worth it - the campground sits at a higher elevation than the coast, which means cooler temperatures and fewer insects. The trail narrows here and there where vegetation crowds the path, particularly in spring when growth is at its peak. Keep an eye out for island fox tracks in the soft soil. They are active during dawn and dusk and will visit the campground if you leave food unattended.

The Campground and Sites

Site Layout

Four primitive sites, each limited to four people. That is the entire capacity of the Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry Campground. The sites are spaced far enough apart that you generally do not hear your neighbors, but close enough that quiet hours matter. Reservations are required and run $15 per night per site. That fee covers up to four people.

Amenities

Each site comes with a picnic table and a food storage box. The food box is essential - the island foxes and skunks are persistent, and they have learned exactly what those metal boxes mean. Use the box every time, even for snacks.

There is a pit-style toilet at the campground. Bring your own toilet paper. This is the kind of detail the park website mentions but that first-time campers often overlook until they are standing in front of an empty dispenser.

There is no potable water at the campground. Pack extra water for this stretch. A good rule is one gallon per person per day, plus extra for cooking. Water weighs about 8 pounds per gallon, so factor that into your pack weight.

What the Official Website Does Not Mention

The campground sits in exposed terrain. Wind can be a factor, particularly in the late afternoon when the marine layer pushes through the island interior. Stake your tent well. Use all the guylines. The picnic tables are sturdy but the area around them can get dusty, so a ground tarp for cooking is worth bringing.

Most visitors underestimate how quiet it gets here after dark. Once the sun drops, the wind often dies, and the island goes still. You will hear your own footsteps on the packed earth. You will hear the foxes moving through the brush. It is a different kind of quiet than you get in the frontcountry.

What to Pack

The Essentials

Beyond the usual backpacking gear, the Del Norte Backcountry requires a few specific items:

• Extra water capacity. There is no water source at the campground. You carry everything you drink.
• A reliable headlamp. The trail from Prisoners Harbor takes longer than you think with a full pack. You may find yourself hiking the last quarter-mile in dusk.
• Toilet paper. Stated plainly because it matters.
• A wind-resistant tent. Three-season tents work, but a four-season or mountaineering tent handles the island gusts better.
• Food storage strategy. The provided box handles the heavy lifting. Pack food in smell-proof bags anyway.

What to Leave Behind

Firewood. Open campfires are not permitted. A camp stove is required for cooking. The island ecosystem is fragile, and fire scars linger for years in the dry chaparral.

Seasonal Considerations

Year-Round Access

The campground is open year-round, but seasonal conditions vary significantly. Summer months bring warm days and cool nights, with temperatures typically in the 60s and 70s during the day and dropping into the 50s after dark. Fog is common in June and July, particularly in the mornings.

Winter brings rain and wind. Trails can become slick, and the exposed sections of the hike turn into mud. Early morning is your best bet for clear skies, but the afternoon winds pick up reliably. From this overlook you can see the weather coming across the channel - if you see gray rolling in from the west, it is time to set up camp.

Wildlife Activity

The island fox population on Santa Cruz is healthy and curious. They will approach camp. They will watch you cook. They are not aggressive, but they are bold. Keep the food box closed and latched at all times. Do not feed them. It is illegal, and it habituates them to human food, which shortens their lifespan.

Early morning is your best bet for seeing the island scrub-jay, a species found only on Santa Cruz Island. They are vocal and territorial, and their presence is a reminder of how isolated this ecosystem really is.

Practical Takeaways

• Reserve your site through Recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. The $15 per night fee is per site, not per person.
• Book your ferry to Prisoners Harbor. The 3.5-mile hike is the practical way in.
• Pack all your water. One gallon per person per day minimum.
• Bring your own toilet paper. The pit toilet has none.
• Use the food storage box for everything edible, including trash.
• Plan for wind. Stake your tent thoroughly and use a camp stove, not a fire.
• Visit the all campgrounds page for a full list of camping options across the islands.

Final Thoughts

The Santa Cruz Island Del Norte Backcountry Campground is not the easiest camping option in Channel Islands National Park. It is the most remote on the island, the least developed, and the one that requires the most planning. That is exactly why people choose it. If you want a campground where you are likely to have the trail to yourself on the way in, where the stars are unobstructed by light pollution, and where the only sounds after dark are wind and wildlife, this is the site. It demands preparation, but it returns the favor with solitude.

---