more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Travel time to Scorpion is a little over an hour and Prisoners Harbor, on direct route is about one and a half hours. For this reason, I couldnt recommend them enough! Map updates are paused. Id recommend referring to both websites before booking anything to be sure that the ferry and campsite availability lines up for the days you plan to visit. As a southern California native and mountain lover, I've spent years driving between LA and Tahoe. . Once youve made a decision, you can clickhereto book your tickets! The route was a mix of single track trail and the occasional dirt road. There were signs at most junctions though they sometimes just indicated sometime generic like camp ground and an arrow. Scorpion is primarily comprised of coastal sage scrub and grasslands whereas Prisoners has more chaparral and oak woodland. If you arent up for a strenuous hike, thats okay. Usually multiple someones. It is always best to dress in layers and bring a jacket/sweatshirt (even in the summer months). You may cross over a very small stream, or two, in the first couple of miles, but don't count on there being water there unless it's rained recently, and there is nothing after that. A small cooler with a single handle or a backpack will help to protect your food from the small animals and birds that populate the islands year-round. There are usually guided hikes offered on this trail. Goods and Services There are countless little protectedcoves and offshore rocks to the west which harbor seals use to haul out and nap. If they are not available to lead hikes, self-guided interpretive trail booklets are available. This trail is 8 miles out and back total, and gains quite a bit of elevation. Better tidepools can be found at Smugglers Cove. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. Vault style restrooms are located near the beach. The old bones are creaking as we speak. 2021Outdoor Project. Day Trip to Prisoners Harbor, Santa Cruz Island ~ Channel Islands National Park! The National Park Service (NPS) has closed Prisoner Harbor until further notice.On going rain run off/creek flow and predictions of more rain has closed this area for visitors safety.NPS will re-assess this area on Monday, February 27, 2023 an we will update this message at that time. Campsite List Seasons & Fees Rules & Cancellations Facility Information Ratings & Reviews Site Types Equipment More Filters Availability Grid Campsite List Refresh Table Expand Table Sort: Availability 5 Days We had one trailrunner go past us obviously just out for the day and planning to meet the afternoon boat home but other than that it felt like we had the island to ourselves. However, there are no lifeguards on the island. All rights reserved. Otherwise, plan to rent a kayak in Ventura. If youve tried everything and worst comes to worst, you can always use a sick bag or lean over the side. This rugged backpacker-friendly trail takes you to Del Norte Campground from Prisoners Harbor. Endemic island wildflowers including island buckwheat and asters are in bloom. At Scorpion Anchorage, picnic tables are available at the beach and near the ranch area. For those looking to cover more ground, there are a few more strenuous options for you to explore. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. 18 Jul 2022, 05:48 If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. We suggest passengers do not wear loose or leather soled sandals or flip flops on your island adventure. Better tidepools can be found at Smugglers Cove.More 1901 Spinnaker Drive 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. Hi!! Along this road lie island manzanita, lichen-covered oaks, and the endemic Santa Cruz Island pine. Re: Scorpion cove vs Prisoner? Prisoners Harbor, on Santa Cruz Island's north coast, now serves as a port of entry for visitors arriving by boat. So, you must pack all your water. Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island's north coast is also a great launching point. A more inland option for moderate hiking is Scorpion Canyon Loop. If you arent looking to go full backpacker mode, there is another option to explore both stops on Santa Cruz Island. The Pelican Bay Trail is a beautiful hike through the canyons and along the bluffs of The Nature Conservancy property on Santa Cruz Island. They are usually more than willing to work with you to help you plan your camping trip. This bird is much larger and brighter blue than its mainland relative. For the authorized kayak guide and outfitting concession in the Scorpion Anchorage area on Santa Cruz Island visit: Channel Islands Adventure Company. Although you might come across a number of foxes during your day on the island, consider yourself lucky because the island fox almost went extinct back in the 1990s due indirect downstream effects of human use of DDT on the mainlanda good reminder that our decisions on the mainland have a great impact on these seemingly isolated island ecosystems. No shade. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. Tonight Low : 48F W wind 20 to 25 kt, with gusts as high as 30 kt. The trail quickly turned into well established dirt roads and we started to come across the occasional dayhiker doing the Scorpion Canyon loop or heading up to the overlook behind us. I am not as a seasoned hiker as I should be! In terms of safety, there are no lifeguards here and your safety is in your own hands. Prisoners Harbor: An Overview Scorpion Cove Basics A view of Scorpion Cove while descending Cavern Point Loop Scorpion Cove aka Scorpion Ranch (or Scorpion Anchorage to the local boaters), is the most popular location to visit in Channel Islands National Park. This hike will wind you through the most ecosystem diversity in the shortest distance on Santa Cruz Island. Either start the hike next to the visitor center and end at the back of the lower campground or vise versa. Travel time is one hour. There are two main transportation methods between Scorpion and Prisoners: take a shuttle trip by boat or walk on your own two feet. This hike is definitely more challenging than Potato Harbor, but offers great views over the hilly bluffs and through Scorpion Canyon. Ventura to Scorpion Cove SCI 9:00 AM. This area of the park offers more sea caves than any others. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Because the trail does not cross any year-round streams, you need to pack all the water you will need for the hike to Scorpion. Head east and youll encounter Scorpion Rock and the many large seacaves to explore and swim through along the way. Prisoners Harbor apart. There are no other visitor centers on the island. However, be sure to book in advance because these tours sell out quick! December through mid- February, southbound migrating Gray Whales can often be observed from Cavern point on East Santa Cruz or the bluffs of Mid Santa Cruz as the whales pass near the island. The boundary is the property line (marked by a fence line) between Prisoners Harbor and Valley Anchorage. Several locations on Santa Cruz Island offer good surfing. Hazards includesteep and erodedsections of trail over unstable or rocky terrain and potential for contact withpoision oak. Scorpion Marine Reserveis a marine protected area (MPA) where fishing is illegal, and it encompasses all of Scorpion Cove. Maybe youll seek out endemic species, maybe youll explore the giant kelp forests, or maybe youll even walk where humans have thrived for over 10,000 years. Template Created By ThemeXpose and heavily customized by Maple. On the more adventurous tours, I guarantee youll paddle through some tight caves you wouldnt dare try on your own some Get some speed, lean back, tuck the paddle, and GO! caves. However, there is no water at Prisoners Harbor so visitors must bring all their water with them. I hope you love it as much as I do! Several trails and roads traverse eastern Santa Cruz Island, providing visitors with spectacular hiking opportunities. I have done almost every hike, kayaked through numerous sea caves, and snorkeled in countless coves and kelp forests. For those willing to clock in some miles, my personal favorite place to snorkel is actually at the end of thePelican Bay Trail. Then, head into deeper water to check out some fish hiding in the eel grass habitat. Scorpion Campground does have potable water. Id recommend hiking this way if you arent prepared for slippery and eroded trails, because the Navy Road provides aneasier walking surfacedespite it being uphill in nature. 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. Visitors must bring all their own food and supplies. Scorpion Rock to the east is really cool, as are the giant caverns of Cavern Point to the west. Santa Cruz Island Day Trip & Camper Transport Fares. The island fox is incredibly cute and bold, having been the top land predator for thousands of years. There is water available at Scorpion Anchorage. An outdoor pit toilet is available for the campground, though you will need to bring your own toilet paper. Hiking options at Prisoners Harbor are much more limited both in number and in time on island, but one of the best hikes on the island is located here as well as a secret hike. Please note that you may only explore the Pelican trail . Pelican Bayitself is often almost as clear as a swimming pool with fish and urchins covering the steep rocky ledges. Ventura, Ca 93001 Backcountry camping is available year round at the Del Norte campsite near Prisoners Harbor. Fishing is allowed on Santa Cruz Island outside of the marine reserves. Santa Cruz Island Camping There are two campgrounds on Santa Cruz Island; Scorpion Ranch campground and Del Norte campground. The campground was large but had a pleasant vibe to it with the exception of what sounded like a group of college guys a few sites over. Trips are either to Scorpion Anchorage or Prisoners Harbor. You can book your ticketshereand find more information about Santa Cruz Islandhere. At Prisoners Harbor, tables are located near the beach. 16 October 2022; You can hike up around the area on nice trails and have great views of the ocean. He built corrals and houses for himself and his employees and expanded the road system. For the wildlife fan, the Prisoners Harbor day trip offers a good chance to see two animals found nowhere else in the world. Coastal kayaking is another popular exploration for kayaking enthusiasts. 805-642-1393, 3550 Harbor Blvd First of all, this 15 mile journey is not a day hike unless you are a devoted trail runner. After just over a mile of hiking, a trail to Del Norte campground breaks off from this road, which is only 3.5 miles from Prisoner's. Del Norte Backcountry Campground is located 3.5 miles from Prisoners Harbor Pier via a strenuous and exposed hike. Prisoners Harbor is much less popular than Scorpion Cove, so activities there take a bit more planning. This is back country camping. Group size and hiker fitness will determine how far along the trail we can go before we must head back to meet the boat. You might want to stay in all day, but the limiting factor will be your core body temperature, (water temperature fluctuates between 50 and 70 degrees) so be sure to pack a 5-7mm wetsuit. Hi, I am visiting Santa Cruz island on a half day trip soon. The landing is rocky and the surroundings desolate and uninteresting. Obviously, the first option is going out on two separate day trips, but for the most devoted adventurers Id recommend camping overnight. There are usually guided hike options, but are never guided kayak options. Frequently, our boats land at Scorpion Anchorage to offload passengers and gear before continuing to Prisoners Harbor. You could have the most time to explore on island here as it is usually the first ferry stop. Santa Cruz Island is the largest of all the Channel Islands (and California!) . 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