Parking
No visitor parking is available on Santa Cruz Island; arrive by boat at Scorpion Anchorage and begin near the Scorpion area.
Overview
About North Bluff Trail
North Bluff Trail is an exposed coastal loop from Scorpion Anchorage on eastern Santa Cruz Island. The route combines the Cavern Point approach, the North Bluff Trail, and Potato Harbor Road, with broad views over the Pacific and the Potato Harbor overlook.
Why go
- Potato Harbor overlook delivers sweeping coastal views
- Loop route adds variety through Cavern Point and Potato Harbor Road
- Island foxes and seabirds may be seen along the open bluffs
Heads up
- Fully exposed to sun and wind with no shade or water on the route
- Unfenced, eroding cliff edges require care
- Boat access and departure timing limit the day’s margin
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Channel Islands map
Full mapElevation0–344 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
3 active Channel Islands alerts
- ClosureSanta Rosa Island wildfire-recovery closuresAvoid closed routes and shorelines on Santa Rosa Island during recovery from the 2026 wildfire.Official details
- ClosureSanta Barbara Island dock closed; landings restrictedThe Santa Barbara Island dock is closed; landings are restricted to the adjacent rocky ledge. - Severe winter storm damage caused the closure, and repairs are not expected in the near future.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Channel Islands Tour Guide
Your drive to North Bluff Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Channel Islands National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Channel Islands audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Scorpion Anchorage: The Island's Activity HubListen
“You're heading toward Scorpion Anchorage, the main base of operations on Santa Cruz Island. This is the starting point for most popular activities, all located right at the landing.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Channel Islands Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- South Bluff Trail: A Quiet Coastal Connector
- Scorpion Rock: A Protected Seabird Sanctuary
- Scorpion Ranch: The Heart of Santa Cruz Island
- Scorpion Anchorage Overlook and Cavern Point Loop
- 47 audio storiesacross Channel Islands’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Island Fox, Humpback Whale, Blue Whale, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 31 trails, 49 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking North Bluff Trail
Route and distanceFollow the signed route from the Scorpion area toward Cavern Point, continue west on North…
Follow the signed route from the Scorpion area toward Cavern Point, continue west on North Bluff Trail, then return via Potato Harbor Road and the Scorpion Valley access. The stored line is the complete loop and closes at the mapped Scorpion access point; the listed distance is the visitor loop total of 3.8 miles. Allow about 2 hours, depending on pace and stops. The separate Potato Harbor out-and-back continues farther along North Bluff and is a different visitor experience.
Scenery and wildlifeExpect open island grassland, coastal bluffs, seasonal flowers, and wide views of Scorpion…
Expect open island grassland, coastal bluffs, seasonal flowers, and wide views of Scorpion Anchorage and the rugged north shore. The Potato Harbor overlook is the destination highlight, and island foxes and seabirds may be seen around the route.
Logistics and safetyThere is no visitor parking on Santa Cruz Island; arrive by boat at Scorpion Anchorage and…
There is no visitor parking on Santa Cruz Island; arrive by boat at Scorpion Anchorage and begin near the Scorpion area. Carry water, food, and sun protection because the loop is exposed and has no services along the route. Cliff edges are unfenced and unstable in places, so stay well back from the rim. The harbor has no beach access from the overlook. Pets are not allowed on park trails; service-animal rules apply.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Channel Islands
2,232 sightingsIsland FoxMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
282 sightingsHumpback WhaleMost seen around 9 AMSighting map
79 sightingsBlue WhaleMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
101 sightingsGrey WhaleMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
364 sightingsCalifornia Sea LionMost seen around noonSighting map
105 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 5 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Channel Islands. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
