Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry
Channel Islands National Park — ocean access, hiking
Location: Ventura, CA, CA
Price: From $15 per night
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (143 reviews)
Season: May through October
For a truly remote getaway full of backpacking and breathtaking scenery, take a backcountry trip to Santa Cruz Island’s Del Norte Campground. Del Norte is currently the only backcountry campground on Santa Cruz Island. The National Park Service opened this backcountry site in recognition of its rare wilderness values.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/santa-cruz-del-norte-backcountry to be notified when sites open up.
Santa Cruz Island's only backcountry campground offers a truly remote wilderness experience with breathtaking scenery and excellent opportunities for backpacking, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Campers consistently rate it 4.9/5 stars, praising the rare wilderness values and scenic views.
Wildlife alert: Santa Cruz Island Fox, Island Fox, Red-tailed Hawk, and Western Side-blotched Lizard present in the area. Pack containers are provided at each site to protect food from foxes and ravens.
Insider tips for Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry: Boat transportation via Island Packers from Ventura Harbor is required to reach the campground. Book early — this is a federal campground with only 4 tent sites and high demand. Use the metal food storage boxes at each site to protect your supplies from foxes and ravens.
Skip Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry if: You need water access — no water available at the campground.. You require hookups or developed amenities — only fire rings and picnic tables provided.. You prefer easier access — the campground is 3.2 miles from the pier with 800 feet of elevation gain.. You visit outside May-October — seasonal operations only..
Best time to visit Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry: May-October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only..
Nearby campgrounds: Santa Cruz Scorpion (ventura, CA), Anacapa Island (Ventura, CA), Santa Rosa Island (Ventura, CA), Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping (Ventura, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry
Cell signal at Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry (Ventura, CA): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
For a truly remote getaway full of backpacking and breathtaking scenery, take a backcountry trip to Santa Cruz Island’s Del Norte Campground. Del Norte is currently the only backcountry campground on Santa Cruz Island. The National Park Service opened this backcountry site in recognition of its rare wilderness values.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBoat transportation via Island Packers from Ventura Harbor is required to reach the campground.
Book early
this is a federal campground with only 4 tent sites and high demand.
Use the metal food storage boxes at each site to protect your supplies from foxes and ravens.
Campground operates seasonally during these months only.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Boat transportation can be arranged with Island Packers from Ventura Harbor. To park headquarters in Ventura, California: Highway 101, exit Victoria or Seaward to Ventura Harbor.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Channel Islands National Park fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Channel Islands National Park before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry cost per night?+
What season is Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry open?+
Does Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry?+
How do I make reservations at Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry?+
What is the cell service like at Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry?+
What season is Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
Nearby Campgrounds
Own a campground nearby?
List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.