---
title: "Santa Cruz Island - Island Packers"
url: https://stacklist.com/card/8c3b099c-ca1c-4bfc-831a-09e71e836205
source_url: "https://www.islandpackers.com/santa-cruz-island/"
stack: https://stacklist.com/c/places/stack/8895c868-daf5-40ac-a118-6087d2aff75d
summary: "Santa Cruz Island is the largest of California's Channel Islands, offering 24+ miles of dramatic coastlines, hiking trails, and diverse wildlife across more than 62,000 acres. The island features two main visitor landing areas at Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor, with camping facilities, endemic species, and rich cultural history spanning 13,000 years of Chumash habitation."
tags: "santa-cruz-island, channel-islands, camping, hiking, ventura-harbor, wildlife, national-park"
key_entities: "Santa Cruz Island (location), Channel Islands National Park (location), Ventura Harbor (location), Scorpion Anchorage (location), Prisoners Harbor (location), Mount Diablo (location), endemic species (concept), Santa Cruz Island fox (concept), island scrub-jay (concept), Chumash people (person), The Nature Conservancy (organization), National Park Service (organization)"
classification: "reference"
content_hash: "sha256:f4d5eb327f0bdba9ee01f0a1fa73281f6172dccd440ed4986ec574e12b20be5b"
acp_version: "0.2"
token_counts_approximate: 2122
visibility: public
agent_accessible: true
status: "final"
---

# Santa Cruz Island - Island Packers

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND (SCI) CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK Trips to Santa Cruz Island From Ventura Harbor Book Now Scorpion Canyon Camping What to Know Before You Go Book Now Prisoners Harbor Camping What to Know Before You Go Book Now ABOUT SANTA CRUZ ISLAND Santa Cruz Island is the largest of California’s Channel Islands , offering dramatic coastlines, hiking, wildlife, and two main visitor landing areas. 24+ miles long Up to 6 miles wide More than 62,000 acres Approximately 77 miles of shoreline Located about 20 miles offshore from Ventura Harbor Main Landing Areas Scorpion Anchorage Located on the east end of the island Part of Channel Islands National Park Travel time is typically a little over 1 hour Prisoners Harbor Located farther west Near the boundary of National Park Service and The Nature Conservancy property Direct travel time is about 1½ hours Travel to Prisoners Harbor Some trips stop at Scorpion Anchorage first to unload passengers and gear before continuing to Prisoners Harbor. Travel time on these trips may be 2 hours or longer The route includes a scenic cruise along the rugged Santa Cruz Island coastline View Photo Gallery Facilities - Scorpion Anchorage Potable water is available in the campground area. Vault style restrooms are located near the beach and two in the campground area. Picnic tables are located near the beach and in the Visitors Center area. A 31-site campground area begins one mile from the pier and is an easy flat walk. Facilities - Prisoners Harbor There is NO potable water available at Prisoners Harbor. Vault style restrooms are located near the beach. Picnic tables are located near the pier, and 1.3 uphill miles at the Del Norte trail head. There is no Visitors Center at Prisoner’s. 4 backcountry campsites located 3.5 miles up the trail above the cove with beautiful overlooks. A new campground with 6 sites just opened on Prisoners Harbor Topography At over 96 square miles, Santa Cruz is the largest island in the Park. Santa Cruz includes three mountain ranges. The highest peak of all the Channel Islands (Mount Diablo rising above 2000 feet,) a large central valley/fault system, deep canyons with year round springs and streams, and 77 miles of craggy coastline cliffs, giant sea caves, pristine tide pools and expansive beaches. About the Island These varied land forms support a wide variety of plant and animal species. More than 600 plant species have been documented in ten different plant communities from marsh and grasslands to chaparral and pine forests. There are 140 species of land birds, 11 land mammal species, three amphibian and five reptile species. Large colonies of nesting sea birds, breeding seals and sea lions, and other diverse marine plants and animals can often be seen during transit to the island and from mainland. Flora & Fauna From millions of years of isolation, many distinctive plants and animal species have adapted to the island’s unique environments. Notably, the island scrub-jay, the Santa Cruz Island fox and eight plant species are found on Santa Cruz and nowhere else in the world (endemics). You can view the endemic Santa Cruz Island Scrub Jay year-round: an easy stroll up the dirt road to the old stream bed at Prisoners Harbor or a rugged hike up Scorpion Canyon should provide a viewing opportunity year-round. Cultural History The island is exceptionally rich in cultural history with evidence of over 13,000 years of Chumash people habitation and over 150 years of European exploration. Remnants of the ranching era also can be seen throughout the landscape of the island. Adobe ranch houses, barns, blacksmith and saddle shops, wineries, and a chapel all attest to the many uses of Santa Cruz in the 1800 and 1900s. SCORPION ANCHORAGE INFORMATION About Scorpion Anchorage Travel time from Ventura is about 1 hour. Trips may take longer when marine wildlife is spotted along the way. Vault restrooms, shaded picnic tables and potable drinking water are available. Visit historic Scorpion Ranch and the Visitor Center to learn about Santa Cruz Island's wildlife, history and natural features. Hiking Scorpion Anchorage Choose from easy family-friendly walks to more strenuous hiking trails. Free guided hikes with a National Park volunteer are offered on many day trips, typically along the Cavern Point Trail. Hiking the Scorpion Loop Trail Cavern Point – Potato Harbor Loop Trail Explore the Scorpion Area in Google Trekker The Beach Swim, snorkel, relax on the cobblestone beach or explore the coastline by kayak. The surrounding kelp forests, sea caves and volcanic cliffs make this a popular area for experienced kayakers. Day Trip Preparation What You Need to Know & Bring Arrive 45 minutes before your scheduled departure. Bring all food and drinks needed for the day. There are no stores or restaurants on the island. Potable drinking water is available in the campground area. Pack out all trash when you leave the island. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes with good traction. Hiking shoes are recommended. Dress in layers and bring a jacket or sweatshirt. Weather can change quickly. Bring a hat and sunscreen. Shade is available near Scorpion Ranch, but there is little to no shade on the trails. PRISONERS HARBOR INFORMATION Hiking Prisoners Harbor Prisoners Harbor offers everything from short walks to strenuous hikes. Naturalist-led hikes are offered on many day trips at no additional charge. Self-Guided Trail Options: Eagle Canyon Picnic Area: Less than ½ mile one way, with views of Prisoners Harbor. Del Norte Trailhead: 0.3 miles one way, with views toward Chinese Harbor and the mainland. South Side Overlook: 2.5 miles one way. A strenuous uphill hike with panoramic island and ocean views. View Prisoners Harbor in Google Trekker Additional Trail Information – NPS Day Trip Preparation What You Need to Know & Bring Arrive 45 minutes before your scheduled departure. Bring all food and drinks for the day. There are no stores or restaurants on the island. There is NO potable drinking water at Prisoners Harbor. Bring enough water for the entire day. Pack out all trash when you leave. Wear sturdy shoes with good traction. Hiking shoes are recommended. Dress in layers and bring a jacket or sweatshirt. Bring a hat and sunscreen. Most trails have little or no shade. Water shoes are recommended if you plan to enter the water from the cobblestone beach. Pelican Bay Trail Guided Hike Join an Island Packers naturalist for a rugged guided hike along the scenic Pelican Bay Trail. The trail passes coastal bluffs, oak and pine groves, and deep canyons. Watch for Island Foxes, Island Scrub Jays and seasonal wildflowers. This is a strenuous hike. Distance varies based on group pace and available time. Hikers should not expect to reach Pelican Bay. A signed TNC liability release is required. Bring all food and water needed for the day. No drinking water or supplies are available at Prisoners Harbor. Pelican Trail Guide Print TNC Liability Release Form Activities Hiking Swimming and snorkeling Kayaking Relaxing on the cobblestone beach Fishing with required California licensing Kayaking Info Wildlife Viewing Look for the endemic Island Fox and Santa Cruz Island Scrub Jay. Spring brings green hillsides and seasonal wildflowers along the Pelican Bay Trail. Summer and fall often offer good conditions for snorkeling and kayaking in the kelp forests. Blue and Humpback Whales may be seen during the boat crossing, especially during seasonal migrations. SEASONAL HIGHLIGHTS December - Mid February Gray Whale migration season. Whales may be seen from island overlooks and during the boat crossing. February - April Green hillsides, spring wildflowers and continued opportunities to see migrating Gray Whales. May - September Warmer weather often brings good kayaking and snorkeling conditions, plus chances to see Blue and Humpback Whales. October - November Enjoy mild weather, pleasant sea conditions and fewer visitors during the islands' late-season Second Summer. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Channel Island National Park – SCI Santa Cruz Island Hiking & Interpretive Guides View Santa Cruz Island in Google Trekker Marine Protected Areas Information Kayaking Information Santa Cruz Island Facts – NPS National Park Service App: iOS App Store / Google Play SCORPION ANCHORAGE PHOTO GALLERY × 1 / 8 2 / 8 3 / 8 4 / 8 5 / 8 6 / 8 7 / 8 8 / 8 ❮ ❯ PRISONERS HARBOR PHOTO GALLERY × 1 / 8 2 / 8 3 / 8 4 / 8 5 / 8 6 / 8 7 / 8 8 / 8 ❮ ❯