Several trails and roads traverse eastern Santa Cruz Island, providing visitors with spectacular hiking opportunities. They just wander around sniffing for bugs occasionally coming close but not really showing any intense interest. If there doesnt seem to be a shuttle fare listed, call Island Packers directly for your best option. 805-642-1393, 3550 Harbor Blvd Santa Cruz Island Day Trip & Camper Transport Fares. Be sure to pay close attention to when your boat departs, but the campground is a mere half mile away from the dock. Santa Cruz Island is the largest of all the Channel Islands (and California!) This bird is much larger and brighter blue than its mainland relative. Obviously, the first option is going out on two separate day trips, but for the most devoted adventurers Id recommend camping overnight. At that point, its probably time to turn around since the trail work isnt quite complete yet. 16 October 2022; Frequently, our boats land at Scorpion Anchorage to offload passengers and gear before continuing to Prisoners Harbor. The final portion of trail to the crest of Montaon ridge is steeper up a rocky route but does not require use of your hands. 15. . 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. Landing is via a pier at both locations. 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. Scorpion is about 15 miles from Prisoners via a trail that winds in and out of canyons and up and over mountains and bluffs. I highly recommend the Pelican Bay Trail in the springtime because of the rich diversity of flowering plant species many of which are endemic to the island. You can access the waters easily from the beach, campsites are nearby, and sea cliffs and caves scallop the coastline. Better tidepools can be found at Smugglers Cove.More 1901 Spinnaker Drive You may also download the release form. Ventura, Ca 93001 Intensity and duration of the bloom differs a bit each year due to varied rainfall and temperature.Many Channel crossings this time of year include Gray Whale sightings. Island Packers Travels to Scorpion Anchorage Year Round.Summer April through October: Seven days a weekWinter December through March: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday & SundayClosed Thanksgiving & 12/25. 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. You can purchase a shuttle ticket from Scorpion Cove to Prisoners Harbor through Island Packers the ferry company. On these trips travel time to Prisoners Harbor can be 2 hours or more with a beautiful cruise along the rugged shoreline of Santa Cruz Island. A guided trek by an Island Packer naturalist is offered on most day trips. .3 miles one way Take a longer walk to the campground trail head, where the picnic area faces Chinese Harbor and the mainland beyond. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Fishing and collecting is allowed from land and from the pier with a license, and can be a relaxing and rewarding activity, as long as you follow all local fishing regulations. Unfortunately, the only way to visit Santa Cruz Island is by crossing the wild and unpredictable Santa Barbara Channel by boat. Now, endemic animal species like the island fox and island scrub jay are popular residents on Santa Cruz Island as well as endemic plants species like island deerweed, Santa Cruz Island monkeyflower, and island ironwood. Thanks to our lackadaisical pace we didn't pull into the campsite until right around dark. Distance from landing is a flat one-half mile. Location & Hours 1901 Spinnaker Dr Get directions Edit business info You Might Also Consider Sponsored Under the Oaks Santa Barbara Currently booked through March of 2023. The visitor center has exhibits about the islands, books, maps, handouts, and all the practical information you'll . Weather conditions can change rapidly in the Santa Barbara Channel. We suggest passengers do not wear loose or leather soled sandals or flip flops on your island adventure. Which one do you recommend? Kayaking here is truly amazing, but also quite dangerous. You must bring all of your water for your stay, although you may stow extra water in the fox boxes by the pier for the next days activities to save weight. If you just cant fit everything into a day trip, both Scorpion Cove and Prisoners Harbor offer very beautiful and very different camping options. The trail soon descends into Scorpion Canyon, where the upper and lower campground loops of Scorpion Ranch are located. 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. Wildlife/Wildflower Viewing Usually this is a prime location to see island foxes and Santa Cruz Island scrub jays. Ive worked in and around Channel Islands National Park for over four years, so I can help you decide quickly which stop is best for you and the activities youre interested in. Santa Barbara + Sierra Madre/San Rafael Mountains, California. While visitors may explore the national park property on Santa Cruz Island, no hiking is allowed beyond the national park boundary onto The Nature Conservancy property. It is steeper with ups and downs but if you are in reasonable shape it is not a problem. However, there are no lifeguards on the island. Be sure to clean your fish outside the MPA. You can do day hikes at either location. I am a devoted outdoor enthusiast from Ventura, California who loves trying everything! If any of those activities sound exciting, awesome! The first junction is for the Eagle Ridge Trail and is 0.75 miles up the Navy Road on the right. Here, you are most likely to catch halibut, calico bass, and barracuda, as well as collect mussels, urchins, and scallops. The trail begins on a fire road leaving Prisoners Harbor and rises above sea level, overlooking the northern coast of the island. The visitor center includes an orientation area that helps visitors plan a safe trip on the island and a variety of interactive exhibits that describe the island's tremendous biodiversity, rich cultural history, and current resource issues. I hope to share with you some of the knowledge Ive learned along the way so you can do the same! It is only found on Santa Cruz Island, and will not fly between islands. The Channel Island National Park visitor center is located on Ventura Harbor at 1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001. Group size and hiker fitness will determine how far along the trail we can go before we must head back to meet the boat. However, only 24 percent of the island is open to the public. This trail is a fairly well maintained dirt road and featuresmultiple little overlooks. The boat was rather packed on the way back and space inside where it was warm was at a premium. Your day is generally much quieter at Prisoners due to significantly less visitation, but for the same reason, there are usually only one or two park staff around on a busy day. Checking the weather in the morning is a must, but weather and wind can still change quickly especially as you eat your lunch in a protected cove. I get sea sick fairly easily. Despite the unfortunate reality that I need to work to afford to live, and I cannot focus all my energy on hobbies, I do what I can when I can, and still find a way to have memorable adventures in new places on a budget. 2021Outdoor Project. Alternatively, you may use, Channel Islands National Park Travel Forum, Channel Islands National Park Vacation Rentals, Channel Islands National Park Vacation Packages, Things to Do in Channel Islands National Park, Channel Islands National Park Travel Guide, http://www.tripadvisor.com/help/how_to_edit_your_posts. Its call is loud and easy to identify, which makes finding it relatively easy as well. No fishing is allowed at Scorpion Anchorage since it is within a marine reserve. If you bring your own, be sure to book it in advance and check with Island Packers for size limits. Looking for more local adventures? One option is a rocky beach called Tinker Beach and the next is the tide pools at Pelican Bay, just five minutes further up the trail (continue up the river bed). Some species are easier to find at Scorpion Cove and some Prisoners Harbor, but you will definitely find endemic species at both locations. There are usually guided hikes offered on this trail. Sounds like taking a boat to Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz is a must. We will just be going for the day and I'm trying to figure out which part of the island is the best to go to. Prepare yourself so you can have an amazing day out there! The transportation to Scorpion Cove takes approximately 1-1.5 hours from Ventura Harbor depending on sea conditions and wildlife sightings. For the most diversity in plant species, Id recommend hiking the Pelican Trail at Prisoners Harbor, especially between March and June when flowers are in full bloom. Browse by destination. The other half has very loose and eroded sections. As a moderate hiker, you can hike up the Navy Road to Del Norte Trail or Eagle Ridge Trail on the National Park Service property, or hike halfway out on the Pelican Bay Trail on The Nature Conservancy property with a signed waiver. If you only have time for some of the loop, my recommendation is to begin at the cutoff just before Potato Harbor Lookout enjoying outstanding views the entire way, then turning around in time for the ferry. Whichever you choose, you will love the entire experience. Backcountry camping is available year round at the Del Norte campsite near Prisoners Harbor. However, there is no water at Prisoners Harbor so visitors must bring all their water with them. There is water available at Scorpion Anchorage. Ventura This rocky trail travels along coast bluffs, through groves of pine and oak trees and through multiple deep canyons, offering scenic views and an occasional endemic island fox. No shade. If you arent looking to go full backpacker mode, there is another option to explore both stops on Santa Cruz Island. Check out these posts! . 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. . Scorpion is the one most people go to on account of the fact it's the biggest. Tidepooling at Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor is limited. This is back country camping. There are no shops or restaurants on the island. Fishing is allowed on Santa Cruz Island outside of the marine reserves. Scorpion SCI to Prisoners SCI 10:15 AM. Here we left the trail and ran out to El Montanon Peak and High Mount both of which were just quick diversions but my peakbagger ascent list has been looking rather sad lately and I wanted to get in a few. There are no other visitor centers on the island. On days that the concessionaire boats run to Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor, guided hikes may be offered by national park volunteers or concessionaire naturalists. Locals often wait for October to head out to the islands. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Trips are either to Scorpion Anchorage or Prisoners Harbor. W swell 6 ft at 13 seconds. Hikes generally begin 30 minutes after the Island Packers boats arrive on the island. There are two stops on Santa Cruz Island: Scorpion Cove and Prisoners Harbor. Address 1691 Spinaker Dr Ventura, CA 93001 Phone (805) 658-5730 Park Name Channel Islands National Park Owner National Park Other Names Scorpion Ranch Activities Re: Santa Cruz: Prisoner Harbor or Scorpion Anchorage 8 years ago Since there are no services on the islands, there are no remedies for poor planning once you have arrived. Island Packers Cruises offers boat trips to both Prisoners Harbor and Scorpion Anchorage for transportation to and from the mainland for a hiking shuttle. Whale Watching in Santa Barbara: A Complete Guide, Anacapa Island Weather and Birds: Best Time of Year to Visit, Best Views of Channel Islands National Park: Top 4 Vista Hikes, Rock Climbing in Malibu, California: A 3 Day Travel Guide, Tangerine Falls: The Sketchiest Santa Barbara Waterfall Hike, Rock Climbing in Ojai, California: A 3 Day Travel Guide, Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe Road Trip: 7 Day Eastern Sierra Route. It's best to check with Island Packers. There are a lot of trees along the trail. Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island, Where to Go Hiking in Santa Barbara after Rain: Top 4 Trails, Weather is unpredictable and can often cause, There will most likely be park rangers at Scorpion, but. Possession of a valid California state fishing license with an ocean enhancement stamp is required and all California Department of Fish and Game regulations apply. The second junction is for the Del Norte Trail and is located 1.5 miles up the Navy Road on the left. Visitors to the island must take all their trash with them when they depart the island. You can collect invertebrates like spiny lobster, urchins, and scallops, and try to catch fish like calico bass and rockfish. CA There is no water at Del Norte campground. The island is exceptionally rich in cultural history with evidence of over 13,000 years of Chumash Indian habitation and over 150 years of European exploration. Del Norte camp provides spectacular views of the coastline back toward Prisoners Harbor, and it is located within a copse of oak trees. 3 baths. There are two locations that Island Packers goes to on Santa Cruz Island: Prisoners Harbor and Scorpion Anchorage. The cove will also be closed to boats during. The main challenge of this hike is the lack of water along the way. Potable water is available in the campground area. You wont have much time here for a day hike, so Id usually recommend this for a camping trip. For those looking for an easy trail but can handle some elevation gain,Cavern Point Loopoffers the most beautiful views in the quickest time. 1 year ago Save Hello, we are trying to decide between the Scorpion cove and the Prisoner cove. Prisoners Harbor apart. If you want to venture out on your own, you can always rent a kayak in Ventura or bring your own across on the ferry (as long as its approved by Island Packers). Distance 16.0 miles Destination Distance From Downtown 26.8 miles Difficulty To make this a two day trip, backpackers must hike 16 miles to reach Prisoner's Harbor, all without access to water. Depending on the part of the island and time of year that you visit, you may traverse long stretches of trail without seeing other hikers. The campground is broken into two sections with most of the regular sites closer to the pier and the group sites in the back. This is the most family friendly campground on the islands. More Travel time to Scorpion is a little over an hour and Prisoners Harbor, on direct route is about one and a half hours. Find interactive maps, tours of park places, on-the-ground accessibility information, and more.Download before you go so you can use it offline at the islands! Luckily, Del Norte Campground is three miles into this hike, which makes it a perfect spot to spend the first night. 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