Channel Islands National Park: Santa Cruz Island
Ecological balance--and dozens of sweet places to hike, paddle, and camp--have been restored at California's Channel Islands.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
In the June 2008 issue, Backpacker editor Shannon Davis explores the restored beaches, backcountry, and shorelines of Santa Cruz Island. Check out the details of his route here, and read more in our June 2008 issue.
Season: You’ll have Santa Cruz Island to yourself (and soak up the fairest weather) from October to April.
Outfitter: Aquasports leads guided paddling trips through the island’s hidden sea caves (www.islandkayaking.com).
Camping: Campsites ($15/night) are open year-round on all five islands in Channel Islands National Park. Check availability at reserveamerica.com.
Trail Facts
- Distance: 39.4
Waypoints
WPT008
Location: 34.0414009094238, -119.570930480957
Killer views of the mainland and Anacapa Island
WPT024
Location: 34.0129508972168, -119.666648864746
Cross a small creek
WPT029
Location: 34.0299644470215, -119.69896697998
Super-bright giant coreopsis bloom a few hundred yards off-trail
WPT018
Location: 34.0160980224609, -119.603904724121
Watch for ferrel pigs in this area
WPT014
Location: 34.0238800048828, -119.584648132324
Veer left off of the ridge
WPT027
Location: 34.0192260742188, -119.684150695801
Prisoners Harbor pier
WPT031
Location: 34.0175933837891, -119.683265686035
Pelican Bay trailhead. This is a gorgeous two-mile hike. Permission is required from the Nature Conservancy.
WPT028
Location: 34.0181312561035, -119.683616638184
Creek-crossing on the way to Pelican Bay.
WPT026
Location: 34.0177803039551, -119.682373046875
Ankle-deep creek crossing, about 20-feet wide
WPT002
Location: 34.046443939209, -119.547271728516
Up-close peak at California brown pelicans hanging out on Scorpion Rocks.
WPT003
Location: 34.0534858703613, -119.558853149414
Scan the craggy coast here for a view of a sea arch dubbed “Marge Simpson” — its silhouette looks like famous cartoon character.
Heading west, continue about a mile to Cavern Point Cave, a 300-foot deep sea cave. Keep an eye out for harbor seals, and be careful: This cave gets scary in rogue water.
WPT011
Location: 34.0313186645508, -119.582374572754
Excellent view into Smugglers Canyon (southeast) and Scorpion Canyon (northeast)
WPT012
Location: 34.0258178710938, -119.583686828613
A faint trail heads left, stay right on main trail.
WPT025
Location: 34.0119590759277, -119.67594909668
Take a right onto the dirt road to finish at Prisoners Harbor
WPT005
Location: 34.0487899780273, -119.562530517578
Head west from the Campground on the Scorpion Canyon Trail. At this point the trail junctions with Potato Harbor Trail. Continue straight on the SCT.
WPT022
Location: 34.0108337402344, -119.660636901855
Camp Del Norte: The best campsite is the first one on the left (shade in the afternoon and great sunset view).
WPT030
Location: 34.0327415466309, -119.70076751709
Pelican Bay
WPT017
Location: 34.0149345397949, -119.603286743164
Optional short side hike on China Pines Road to bald overlook with ocean views.
WPT006
Location: 34.0473175048828, -119.566291809082
Watch for island fox playing in the dry creekbed on your left.
WPT015
Location: 34.0129470825195, -119.595367431641
Veer left onto a jeep trail
WPT023
Location: 34.012378692627, -119.65958404541
Turn left a short way from camp to head to Prisoner’s Harbor. A right turn loops you back toward Scorpion Harbor.
WPT013
Location: 34.0247917175293, -119.583435058594
Highest point on the Montanon Ridge Trail
WPT004
Location: 34.0488700866699, -119.562950134277
Scorpion Ranch Campground. This campsite has good afternoon sun, and is close to water.
WPT007
Location: 34.0411415100098, -119.574256896973
Make a hard left, still on Scorpion Canyon Trail, and begin climbing out of the canyon along an occasionally slick, clay trail.
WPT020
Location: 34.0036315917969, -119.656944274902
Turn right here to head to Del Norte Camp
WPT021
Location: 34.0078430175781, -119.660179138184
Turn left to Del Norte Camp
WPT009
Location: 34.0350646972656, -119.566551208496
Scorpion Canyon Trail ends here, and links to Montanon Ridge Trail (west) and an old ranch road (east) that leads to Cypress Grove or Olive Grove. Take Montanon and begin a gradual climb as the grass gives way to barren red rock.
WPT016
Location: 34.0124244689941, -119.59593963623
Junction. La Paloma Trail goes left. Stay straight, and head to Campo Del Norte and Prisoner’s Harbor. A junction with Loma Pelona Road (on your left) follows shortly after. Stay on your trail.
There is a tricky trail junction here. Watch on your right for Del Norte Trail (it’s often overgrown and hard if not impossible to find). See it? Take it for a short-cut to Del Norte Camp. If you miss it, you’ll end up on East End Road.
WPT010
Location: 34.0313339233398, -119.580360412598
The trail becomes hard to follow. This waypoint marks a reassuring trail sign.
WPT019
Location: 33.9986534118652, -119.629783630371
Excellent shaded lunch spot
WPT001
Location: 34.0485572814941, -119.556182861328
After docking at Scorpion Anchorage, hike to the trailhead sign. Head down the dirt road to the campground, or turn to your left to walk to Aquasports’ kayak storage area, where you’ll gear up to kayak the island’s north coast.