Parking
No parking at the trailhead. Arrive by boat to Scorpion Anchorage and Scorpion Beach; follow the inland access toward Smugglers Road.
Overview
About Smugglers Cove Trail
This is Santa Cruz Island’s classic coastal trek: a 7.5-mile total out-and-back from Scorpion Beach at Scorpion Anchorage to Smugglers Cove. Expect a sustained climb right out of the gate, big blue-water panoramas, and a quiet beach finale. It’s strenuous because of the length and elevation gain (roughly 1,000–1,500 feet cumulative), but the payoff is a remote cove with island history baked in.
Why go
- Historic Smugglers Ranch and olive grove sit just inland from the cove
- Optional spur to a relic oil well adds a quirky side detour
Heads up
- Fully exposed with no water or shade for most of the route
- Uphill return and fixed ferry schedule can be stressful if you start late
If you’re up for a half-day effort with big views and a quiet, history-tinged beach, Smugglers Cove is absolutely worth your time—provided you plan for the exposure and keep an eye on the ferry clock.
Parkwolf’s verdictBottom LineMap & elevation
The route
Loading the Channel Islands map
Full mapElevation43–732 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Best time to go
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 Smugglers Cove 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 Smugglers Cove Trail
Route and TerrainFrom the ferry landing at Scorpion Anchorage, follow the inland access toward Smugglers Road,…
From the ferry landing at Scorpion Anchorage, follow the inland access toward Smugglers Road, then stay on the main road to Smugglers Cove. The route climbs steadily on a well-defined dirt road with full exposure. You’ll pass a junction where a spur heads toward an old oil well and into Scorpion Canyon; for Smugglers Cove, stay on the main route, which levels out pleasantly for about a mile beyond the split before descending to the south-shore cove. The tread is unpaved and can be uneven and steep in spots, but wayfinding is straightforward.
What You’ll SeeAs you gain the ridge, the views sweep from the island’s interior valleys and cliffs to the…
As you gain the ridge, the views sweep from the island’s interior valleys and cliffs to the Channel’s sparkling expanse and, on clear days, the mainland. Vegetation shifts between coastal sage scrub, seasonal wildflowers, and open grasslands, with some stretches showing regrowth from past fires. Island foxes and ravens are routine roadside company—guard your snacks. On boat rides to and from the island, dolphins and occasionally whales often steal the show. At the cove, you’ll find a tranquil shoreline framed by rugged headlands and, about 0.2 miles inland, the fenced remains of historic Smugglers Ranch and an old olive grove.
Logistics and TipsThere’s no water, food, or shade on the route—bring plenty of water, sun protection, and layers…
- There’s no water, food, or shade on the route—bring plenty of water, sun protection, and layers for wind.
- Day-trippers typically get 5–6 hours on the island. Start hiking as soon as you land to leave time to enjoy the cove and still make the return boat. Remember: the hike finishes with an uphill return to the ridge.
- The shoreline at Smugglers can have inside swell and dynamic surf. Swimming is at your own risk; the water is cold and there are no lifeguards.
- If you’re moving well and have time, the short oil-well spur adds a quirky historic detour before you continue to the cove.
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.
