Parking
No visitor parking is available on Santa Cruz Island; arrive by boat at Scorpion Anchorage. Begin near the Scorpion Beach/Visitor Center area and carry all gear for the hike.
Overview
About Potato Harbor Trail
Potato Harbor Trail is a moderate 5.2-mile round-trip out-and-back from Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island to the Potato Harbor overlook. The route follows the Cavern Point and North Bluff trail corridor to a clifftop view; the harbor itself is below and has no land access from this trail. The mapped one-way corridor is about 2.6 miles, while the listed visitor distance is the full return hike. Allow roughly 2.5–3 hours, depending on pace and stops.
Why go
- Continuous clifftop views of the Pacific, pale coastal bluffs, and Potato Harbor
- Good opportunities to see island foxes and island scrub-jays near Scorpion
Heads up
- No land access to Potato Harbor from the overlook despite the tempting water below
- The route is exposed to sun and wind with uneven, rocky footing in places
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Channel Islands map
Full mapElevation46–361 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 Potato Harbor 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 Ranch: The Heart of Santa Cruz IslandListen
“You're approaching Scorpion Anchorage, the main landing spot and activity hub for Santa Cruz Island. Just inland is the historic Scorpion Ranch, which is the jumping-off point for the island's best-known adventures.”
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 Anchorage: The Island's Activity Hub
- Camping at Scorpion Canyon
- 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 Potato Harbor Trail
RouteStart at the Scorpion Anchorage/Scorpion Beach area and follow the signed route toward Cavern…
Start at the Scorpion Anchorage/Scorpion Beach area and follow the signed route toward Cavern Point, then continue on the North Bluff Trail to the Potato Harbor overlook. The stored line follows the continuous mapped corridor and stops at the overlook; it does not include the optional Cavern Point loop or unrelated Scorpion Canyon and Potato Harbor Road branches. Return the same way.
Scenery and wildlifeExpect open coastal views, wave-cut bluffs, island grassland, and the pale cliffs surrounding…
Expect open coastal views, wave-cut bluffs, island grassland, and the pale cliffs surrounding Potato Harbor. The overlook is the destination; do not attempt to descend to the harbor. Island foxes and island scrub-jays may be seen around Scorpion, and seabirds are common along the coast.
Logistics and safetyThere is no visitor parking on Santa Cruz Island; arrive by boat at Scorpion Anchorage.
There is no visitor parking on Santa Cruz Island; arrive by boat at Scorpion Anchorage. Drinking water is available at Scorpion Canyon Campground, but carry sufficient water, food, and sun protection for the hike. Pets are not allowed in the park. The route is exposed, with uneven and rocky footing and steep cliff edges; stay well back from edges and plan your return around your boat departure.
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.
