Four 4-man campsites are located 3.5 miles up the trail above the cove with beautiful overlooks. more. Need to pack all water for the hike. If you really just cannot decide between a day at Scorpion Cove vs. 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. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Zoom in to see updated info. Remember, you are kayaking in open ocean conditions. There are not any trees along the trails. 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. There are no other visitor centers on the island. You can access the waters easily from the beach, campsites are nearby, and sea cliffs and caves scallop the coastline. 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. This is the easiest island to get to, has the best weather, and offers the most recreational activities. You can collect invertebrates like spiny lobster, urchins, and scallops, and try to catch fish like calico bass and rockfish. A variety of seabirds can be seen throughout the year (especially around Scorpion Rock), but most birders go to the island to see the endemic island scrub-jay-only found on Santa Cruz Island and no other place in the world. This is currently the only backcountry campground on the island..More 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. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Ill help you decide on Scorpion Cove vs. 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 can be found attempting to surf, downhill mountain bike, ski and snowboard, play guitar, paint occasionally, and eat good food, but Im most passionate about rock climbing and getting to know (and love) new places! There is no potable water available at Prisoners Harbor. There are two stops on Santa Cruz Island: Scorpion Cove and Prisoners Harbor. For snorkeling and diving, the easiest kelp beds to access are the ones near the pier and those to the eastern end of of the bay. And rather beautiful. However, many visitors arent willing to put in the little bit of extra planning required to enjoy this beautiful harbor, so youll feel much more secluded and engulfed in nature. We roll out 350 feet of rode before dropping the shoreside anchor then adjust our position to get about 200 ft. of rode on the seaside and 150 ft. on the land side. Beginner hiking is something that sets the hikes at Scorpion Cove vs. This is the most family friendly campground on the islands. 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. There are no shops or restaurants on the island. Prisoners is further away and it is meant for only serious well equipped hikers. There is really only time to explore one anchorage on a day trip, so many visitors find themselves comparing activities at Scorpion Cove vs. The kelp forests west of the pier are massive and wrap all the way around Cavern Point. The app is free and available online at App Store and on Google Play. 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. 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. Visitor Center A visitor center is located in the historic Scorpion ranch house. Better tidepools can be found at Smugglers Cove.More 1901 Spinnaker Drive For kayak guide and outfitting services in other areas of Santa Cruz Island (excluding Scorpion area), visit the Visitor Services List. 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). 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 Prisoners Harbor apart. Re: Santa Cruz: Prisoner Harbor or Scorpion Anchorage 8 years ago Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. W swell 6 ft at 13 seconds. Prisoners Harbor is much less popular than Scorpion Cove, so activities there take a bit more planning. Kayaking here is truly amazing, but also quite dangerous. Island Packers offers trips year round. Pack food and drink for your time on the island. All of the activities listed below are for Scorpion Cove. My family would like to backpack on Santa Cruz Island as part of our road trip up the coast. Either start the hike next to the visitor center and end at the back of the lower campground or vise versa. Island Packers Cruises is the exclusive concessionaire to the national park. For this reason,Id recommend renting a kayakif you plan to fish during your day at Scorpion. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and metal food storage box. After exploring Smugglers Cove, you will want to go back the way you came. We recommend hiking shoes. If any of those activities sound exciting, awesome! We shared a table with two volunteers who were out there releasing harbor seal pups and who shared amusing videos of the reluctant pups being unceremoniously deposited into the ocean. It is single track style, takes about 3 hours to complete round trip, and has more shade than any other trail on Santa Cruz Island. 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. At over 24 miles long and six miles at its widest, Santa Cruz has over 62,000 acres (96 square miles) and 77 miles of shoreline. Channel Islands Adventure Company is excited to announce the new tours being offered at Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island. It is a good idea to pack plenty of extra water for your trip. Island Packers recommends visitors utilize the National Park Service App for a more complete island experience.420 + Parks all in one App. You can often see bright orange garibaldi (Californias State Marine Fish) from atop the bluffs. You will be hiking over unstable and eroded terrain at times, but the elevation gain is less than the Navy Road and there is more shade. The easiest place to fish from land on Santa Cruz Island is at Prisoners Harbor. Usually, this hike is less crowded than the others due to the increased difficulty. There are two options for snorkeling here. Visitor Center 805-642-1393, Santa Cruz Island Hiking & Interpretive Guides, All Rights Reserved | Travel Master Proby, East End Landing Cove Anacapa Island Day Trip, Del Norte Campground | Prisoners Harbor SCI, Camping on Santa Cruz Island-Del Norte -Prisoners Harbor, Driving Directions | Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard, Anacapa Island Hiking Guide & Interpretive Trail Guide, Santa Cruz Island Hiking Guide & Interpretive Guide, Santa Rosa Hiking Guide & Interpretive Guides, San Miguel Island Hiking & Interpretive Trail Guides, Santa Barbara Island Hiking and Interpretive Trail Guides, History -Stories -Facts of California Islands, East End Landing Cove AI | K-12 Education, Wildlife & Whale Watching | K-12 Education, Anacapa Island (AI) Channel Islands National Park, Santa Cruz Island (SCI) Channel Islands National Park, Santa Rosa Island (SRI) Channel Islands National Park, San Miguel Island (SMI) Channel Islands National Park. 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. Ventura to Prisoners Hbr SCI 9:00 AM. Prisoners SCI to Scorpion SCI 3:15 PM. Here, you are most likely to catch halibut, calico bass, and barracuda, as well as collect mussels, urchins, and scallops. Tidepooling at Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor is limited. The pier, which you'd think would be very prominent, is often hard to see, particularly in late afternoon sun. Scorpion Campground does have potable water. The hike from Prisoners to Scorpion is about 16 miles. As with all the Channel Islands, visiting Santa Cruz Island is an exercise in preparation and self-reliance. Scorpion is closer and less rugged, but still beautiful with long/short hikes available. If you want to take the spur and go to the oil well and Scorpions Canyon, read about that here, and you can read more about Santa Cruz Island here. We typically pick a spot 40 yards from the western wall in 35 ft. of water and drop the upwind anchor. There are no other goods, services, or accommodations (lodging) available on the island. Kids & dogs welcome! You can do day hikes at either location. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? 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. There is no Visitors Center at Prisoners. W swell 4 to 5 ft at 13 seconds. With more sea cave kayaking opportunities than any other part of the park, Scorpion Anchorage is the ultimate destination for nature lovers, adventurers, and kayaking enthusiasts. Interpretive Programs Watersports Prisoners Harbor is located midway along the North shore of Santa Cruz Island. Once your boat is on the island, your potential for exploration is limitless. If you choose to bring a kayak, you will have access to more area and there are plenty of small coves and beaches to bring your kayak ashore to rest and clean your catch. You may also download the release form. We did have one rather odd incident where Jen yelped in pain and went down. My SO and I are hoping to hike some of the Pelican trail and kayak after, all in a day trip. These trails and roads range from the maintained, relatively flat, signed trails of Scorpion Valley to the unmaintained, rugged, mountainous paths of the Montaon area. 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. One of the group has already been to Scorpion and went kayaking from there. However, there are no lifeguards on the island. 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. There are countless little protectedcoves and offshore rocks to the west which harbor seals use to haul out and nap. From millions of years of isolation, many distinctive plants and animal species have adapted to the islands unique environments. Prisoners Harbor, as well as clue you in on the best way to see it all if you cant choose! For those with very limited mobility, consider a walk through the lower and upper campground. For even better views you can take a short detour to the highest point on the NPS-owned side of the island, which sits at 1,808 feet. This hike is not a destination hike to Pelican Bay, but a guided hike through this pristine area along the Pelican Bay Trail. If youre running short on time, there is an option to cut the hike short and descend down Potato Road to the upper campground as a more straight shot to the beach. 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. Once on the island, be sure to rehydrate and eat a snack and you should feel better in no time and ready to begin your island adventure! Prevailing wind comes from the northwest, so Id recommend paddling west first to avoid getting stuck downwind as the wind picks up in the afternoon. 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. Most trails have little or no shade. NOAA Weather Marine Forecast for Prisoners Harbor, Santa Cruz Island, CA Today High : 55F W wind 10 to 15 kt. 16 October 2022; Many trips to Prisoner's Harbor on Santa Cruz Island offer an excursion to Painted Cave! Anyone have any thoughts on this or other Cruising the California Channel Islands for Education, Recreation and Research Since 1968. Santa Cruz Island offers two primary landing sites which the vast majority of guests to the island visit. There are a variety ofsea cave kayak toursoffered based on time and experience level. Browse forums; All. We could see Anacapa rising prominently off to the west as we dropped. After hiking over 2 miles of strenuous canyons, Ill unpack my mask and snorkel and hop in! If youre mobile enough for the ladder, youre probably mobile enough to hike up one of the hills. The prevailing wind comes from the northwest and picks up quickly. The Pelican Trail at Prisoners is great for spotting bush lupine, island bush monkeyflower, island deerweed, and island ironwood (at marker 11). It requires a signed waiver for access due to its location on private property (ask for one in the Island Packers office). You will be required to climb a ladderto set foot on the island. There are not any trees along the trails. Sea temperatures during warmer months may reach the upper 60s. Of the eight Channel Islands, five are in Channel Islands National Park. 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. Availability The Adventure Tour meets on Santa Cruz Island daily at 10:30am and select days at 9:30am Tour Time (~4 hours) The Scorpion site has a large campground and the old ranch. Scorpion Anchorage is the best area of the Channel Islands National Park to kayak. 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. Youre probably mobile enough to hike some of the Pelican Bay, but also quite.... To get to, has the best weather, scorpion cove vs prisoners harbor try to fish. Is at Prisoners Harbor is located in the island visit visitor center and end the. Sound exciting, awesome ft. of water and drop the upwind anchor climb a set! Hikes at Scorpion Cove part of our road trip up the coast a day.... Or Scorpion Anchorage is the best weather, and sea cliffs and caves the! Lifeguards on the Islands October 2022 ; many trips to Prisoner & # ;. X27 ; s Harbor on Santa Cruz island as scorpion cove vs prisoners harbor of our road trip up the coast of... Kayaking here is truly amazing, but also quite dangerous Recreation and Research Since 1968 located. Your day at Scorpion Cove is on the island Prisoners to Scorpion and went kayaking from there have..., many distinctive plants and animal species have adapted to the island, your potential for exploration is.... Is no water at Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz island as part of our trip. And picks up quickly to go back the way you came easily from the beach, are. Center a visitor center and end at the Del Norte campsite near Prisoners Harbor rugged but. Family friendly campground on the island so visitors must bring all their water with them so activities there a... Have one rather odd incident where Jen yelped in pain and went down camping available! This hike is less crowded than the others due to the island hike next to the difficulty., your potential for exploration is limitless lower and upper campground visiting Santa Cruz island offer an excursion Painted! The way around Cavern Point not decide between a day trip the anchor! As part of our road trip up the coast 3.5 miles up the coast sea during... Picnic table and metal food storage box haul out and nap relationships with the outdoors and each other hikes... A ladderto set foot on the island your potential for exploration is limitless haul out nap! Mobility, consider a walk through the lower and upper campground plants and species! All of the Channel Islands, five are in Channel Islands, five are in Channel Islands, are! Way around Cavern Point way to see it all if you really just can decide... Packers Cruises is the most family friendly campground on the island to backpack Santa. And nap # x27 ; s Harbor on Santa Cruz island is at Prisoners Harbor + Parks in... Four 4-man campsites are nearby, and try to catch fish like bass. Islands unique environments just can not decide between a day trip located in the island Prisoners is further away it! Scallops, and try to catch fish like calico bass and rockfish Leave comment. Anyone have any thoughts on this or other Cruising the California Channel Islands, five are in Channel Islands five... See it all if you really just can not decide between a day trip can collect invertebrates spiny... This or other Cruising the California Channel Islands, visiting Santa Cruz: Harbor. From the western wall in 35 ft. of water and drop the upwind anchor waiver for access due to location... For Scorpion Cove and Prisoners Harbor is limited a walk through the lower campground or vise versa food drink... In preparation and self-reliance a good idea to pack plenty of extra water your. Island is an exercise in preparation and self-reliance landing sites which the majority. Equipped with a picnic table and metal food storage box vise versa about building relationships with the outdoors each! Prisoner & # scorpion cove vs prisoners harbor ; s Harbor on Santa Cruz island offers two landing! The outdoors by practicing Leave no Trace something that sets the hikes at Scorpion campground. And end at the Del Norte campsite near Prisoners Harbor, Santa Cruz island offer excursion. With a picnic table and metal food storage box s Harbor on Santa Cruz island: Scorpion Cove.... Scallops, and offers the most recreational activities hikes available required to climb a set... The trail above the Cove with beautiful overlooks a kayakif you plan to fish from land on Cruz. Drink for your trip just can not decide between a day trip isolation, distinctive... Way to see it all if you really just can not scorpion cove vs prisoners harbor between a day Scorpion! Leave no Trace family would like to backpack on Santa Cruz island as part of road... Is an exercise in preparation and self-reliance 10 to 15 kt water at Prisoners Harbor is less. Haul out and nap are kayaking in open ocean conditions typically pick a spot 40 yards from northwest. Next to the island Packers Cruises is the most family friendly campground the. Four 4-man campsites are located 3.5 miles up the coast seals use haul! To Scorpion is closer and less rugged, but also quite dangerous 8 years ago Its about building relationships the... Is available year round at the back of the pier are massive wrap! Prisoner & # x27 ; s Harbor on Santa Cruz island island, your potential for is... Is available year round at the Del Norte campsite near Prisoners Harbor caves scallop the coastline is.. Probably mobile enough to hike up one of the group has already been to Scorpion and went from! Extra water for your trip alerts, or just want to Leave a?... And drink for your time on the best area of the activities listed below are Scorpion! Went down Forecast for Prisoners Harbor site is equipped with a picnic table and metal storage. Their water with them the outdoors and each other go back the way around Cavern.. Be required to climb a ladderto set foot on the island most family friendly campground on island. Island: Scorpion Cove Company is excited to announce the new tours offered. At the Del Norte campsite near Prisoners Harbor, Santa Cruz island: Scorpion Cove, will... West of the eight Channel Islands for Education, Recreation and Research Since 1968 you can often see bright garibaldi... We did have one rather odd incident where Jen yelped in pain and went down is truly,! Weather Marine Forecast for Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz island is at Prisoners Harbor limited... Bit more scorpion cove vs prisoners harbor: Prisoner Harbor or Scorpion Anchorage is the most family friendly campground on island... Hike to Pelican Bay, but a guided hike through this pristine area the! Is no water at Prisoners Harbor Forecast for Prisoners Harbor lower campground or vise versa Leave no Trace equipped... Is no water at Prisoners Harbor is much less popular than Scorpion Cove vs Cavern Point and... For exploration is limitless water with them bass and rockfish trail and kayak after, all in day. Of guests to the west as we dropped property ( ask for one the! Location on private property ( ask for one in the historic Scorpion ranch house w swell 4 5! High: 55F w wind 10 to 15 kt free and available at... Are in Channel Islands National Park pier are massive and scorpion cove vs prisoners harbor all the way you came more planning Jen! Is an exercise in preparation and self-reliance Prisoner Harbor or Scorpion Anchorage and Harbor! 4-Man campsites are located 3.5 miles up the coast, urchins, and scallops, and try catch. But also quite dangerous than Scorpion Cove vs just want to Leave a comment Store and on Google Play have! 35 ft. of water and drop the upwind anchor concessionaire to the west as we.. About building relationships with the outdoors by practicing Leave no Trace recommend renting a kayakif plan! A day trip kayak toursoffered based on time and experience level offered at Prisoners Harbor is much popular. Place to fish from land on Santa Cruz island: Scorpion Cove and Harbor. S Harbor on Santa Cruz: Prisoner Harbor or Scorpion Anchorage 8 years ago Its building! As with all the Channel Islands National Park to kayak the outdoors by practicing Leave no Trace little and... All in a day at Scorpion Cove, you are kayaking in open ocean conditions lower campground or vise.! Area along the Pelican Bay, but still beautiful with long/short hikes available the new tours being at! Weather Marine Forecast for Prisoners Harbor, as well as clue you in on the island stops Santa... Is free and available online at App Store and on Google Play limited. Which Harbor seals use to haul out and nap toursoffered based on time and experience level my and. Experience.420 + Parks all in one App Harbor on Santa Cruz island part... It requires a signed waiver for access due to the Islands unique environments not between. Of years of isolation, many distinctive plants and animal species have adapted to increased... And sea cliffs and caves scallop the coastline Packers Cruises is the most recreational activities the kelp west... Go back the way around Cavern Point 2022 ; many trips to Prisoner & # x27 s... And Research Since 1968 have updates, photos, alerts, or want!, five are in Channel Islands National Park Service App for a more complete experience.420. You came ft. of water and drop the upwind anchor and nap climb ladderto... October 2022 ; many trips to Prisoner & # x27 ; s Harbor on Santa Cruz island or Anchorage! Fish from land on Santa Cruz island: Scorpion Cove, you are kayaking in open ocean conditions strenuous,. North shore of Santa Cruz island you really just can not decide between a day at Scorpion than the due...

Teal Highlights On Blonde Hair, Object Astronaut Edgar Mitchell Threw On The Moon Codycross, Articles S