Camping

Explore the Outdoors on Catalina Island

Go beyond the day-to-day to immerse yourself in the island's natural beauty on a camping getaway. New experiences abound to inspire your story, creating a balance between exhilarating moments and peace and tranquility.

Avalon's only campground, Hermit Gulch Campground, is up Avalon Canyon, a mile from downtown. On the west end of the island, you can camp at the Two Harbors Campground. There are also great opportunities to explore more remote parts of Catalina Island at Black Jack Campground, Parson's Landing, a secluded beach campground seven miles west of Two Harbors; and Little Harbor on the backside of Catalina, rated "One of the Best Campgrounds in the West" by Sunset Magazine. Or for a truly unique experience, explore our Boat-in Camping sites, accessible only by boat or kayak.

If you’d like to get back to nature, but don’t care to bring all of your gear, we offer Tent Cabins in both Avalon and Two Harbors, equipped with cots (in addition to regular tent sites). Whatever campground or site you choose, we hope you enjoy the island’s never-ending beauty and warm hospitality.

Book a Camping Site

We offer campground options across Catalina Island

AVALON CAMPING | TWO HARBORS CAMPING | LITTLE HARBOR CAMPGROUND | PRIMITIVE CAMPING | BOAT IN CAMPING

CAMPGROUND RULES | FAQ

Avalon Camping

Avalon offers just one campground within the city limits: Hermit Gulch Campground

Hermit Gulch Campground is Avalon’s only camping facility located within city limits. The campground is situated in Avalon Canyon near the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden. At the back of the campground, you can find the trailhead for the 38.5 mile Trans-Catalina Trail. The campground offers a nice view of the surrounding hills that are home to a wide variety of endemic plant and animal species. Hermit Gulch Trail is accessible from the campground, and there's access to other hiking trails nearby. Hermit Gulch is great for first-timers and experienced campers alike. Being so close to town allows easy access to groceries, shopping, restaurants, tours, sightseeing and nightlife.

Reserve a Campsite at Hermit Gulch

Camping tents set-up by the Sea at Catalina Island Company

Two Harbors Camping

Explore the wonders of land and sea in rustic Two Harbors.

An Unforgettable Adventure Awaits. Whether you hike in, boat in or arrive by ferry, Two Harbors Campground offers unique opportunities to explore and appreciate the unspoiled beauty of one of Southern California’s most diverse ecosystems. Explore the wonders of land and sea in rustic Two Harbors.

Unique Camping Experiences

Reserve a Campsite at Two Harbors Campground OR CALL 310.510.4205

Picnic area with benches and fire pit during sunset near Catalina Island Company, one of the things to do in Catalina Island

Little Harbor Campground

RATED "ONE OF THE BEST CAMPGROUNDS IN THE WEST" BY SUNSET MAGAZINE

Little Harbor Campground is perfect for campers who enjoy hiking, playing on the beach or in the water. Located about seven miles east of Two Harbors and 19 miles from Avalon, Little Harbor is a sandy, beachfront campground with lots of opportunities for recreation. There is no transportation available to Little Harbors, campers must hike in. This beautiful campground is the only one on Catalina's remote “backside." It is also one of the campgrounds along the popular 38.5 mile Trans-Catalina Trail hike. Purchase your favorite food and drinks from the Two Harbors General Store and have your items delivered directly to your campsite at Little Harbor. Pick up a single-use cooler from the Two Harbors General Store and stock up on groceries like fresh fruit and vegetables, hot dogs, sandwich items, beer, wine, and more! We'll deliver your cooler with groceries on ice to Little Harbor for $53.50.

Reserve a Campsite at Little Harbor

Shop & Deliver

Food Delivery

Have your favorite food and drinks from the Two Harbors General Store delivered to your campsite at Little Harbor or Two Harbors Campground. Please submit your order when you arrive in Two Harbors.

Grocery Delivery to Little Harbor - $53.50
Grocery Delivery to Two Harbors - $48.00

Seaside picnic area with palm trees, and a wooden shelter near Catalina Island Company, one of the things to do in Catalina Island

Primitive Camping

LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND

Catalina Island offers two primitive campgrounds: Parsons Landing and Black Jack. It’s a moderately difficult hike or kayak to remote Parson’s Landing, which is located seven miles from Two Harbors’ Isthmus Cove. There you will find beautiful vistas, and long stretches of pristine beach. Black Jack is nestled among pine and eucalyptus trees near Mt. Orizaba, Catalina's tallest peak. Also fairly remote is Little Harbor Campground, which is ideal for campers who enjoy playing on the beach or in the water. Little Harbor is the only campground on the “backside" of Catalina Island. There are nine other boat-in only primitive campsites between Two Harbors and Avalon. These are anchor-in coves only. No moorings are available. Each boat-in campsite has its own unique configuration, with some appropriate for larger groups. Campers must provide their own water and port-a-potty. You may encounter rattlesnakes or free-roaming bison. Never approach wildlife and retreat if in close proximity.

Group reservations can be made by calling 310.510.4242.
For more information, call Two Harbors Visitor Services at 310.510.4205.

Boat-In Camping

ENJOY A TRULY SECLUDED COASTAL CAMPING EXPERIENCE
Accessible only by boat or kayak on the island's leeward shore, Catalina's boat-in campsites offer truly secluded coastal camping experiences. Unique in their location and regulations, these nine sites are all primitive, with no running water, shade structures, moorings or sanitation stations. Campers must bring their own equipment and supplies, including a portable restroom, and pack out any trash or waste. A ranger patrols each site daily. Because fires are not allowed, cooking must be done on a camp stove or in a self-contained BBQ.

Boat-in Campsites

(with distances in nautical miles)

Ripper's Cove - 8.6 from Avalon / 4 from Two Harbors
Paradise Cove - 8.4 from Avalon / 4.25 from Two Harbors
Lava Wall - 8.1 from Avalon / 4.5 from Two Harbors
Gibraltar - 7.1 from Avalon / 5.5 from Two Harbors
Cabrillo - 7 from Avalon/ 5.75 from Two Harbors
Goat Harbor - 6.2 from Avalon / 6.4 from Two Harbors
Italian Gardens - 5.25 from Avalon / 7.4 from Two Harbors
Long Point Beach - 4.875 from Avalon / 7.75 from Two Harbors
Willow Cove - 2.75 from Avalon / 9.9 from Two Harbors

More detailed information about Boat-In Camping

Boat-In Campsites Equipment Rental

Kayak rentals are available from Descanso Beach Ocean Sports in Avalon.

Book at Boat-In Campsite

Landscape view of boats sailing on the sea at sunset near Catalina Island Company

Camping FAQs & Rental Information

ARE PETS ALLOWED AT THE CAMPGROUND?

Pets are NOT allowed at Two Harbors and Hermit Gulch Campground. Pets are allowed at Conservancy Campgrounds (Black Jack, Little Harbor, Parsons Landing, and the Catalina Boat-In Sites).

HOW MANY TENTS CAN I PUT ON A SITE?

It depends entirely on the size of the site. Tents cannot encroach on another site.

WHAT ARE IN THE TENT CABINS?

The tent cabins come with 3 to 6 cots, a lantern, propane stove, and propane canister. Hermit Gulch Campground will have a picnic table and a charcoal BBQ while Two Harbors Campground will have a picnic table and a fire pit.

CAN I HAVE MORE THAN SIX PEOPLE IN A TENT CABIN?

Maximum occupancy is three to six people per tent cabin, and they would not comfortably sleep an additional person. (Hermit Gulch has (3) 3-person cabins).

If you pay the full rate for a tent cabin in addition to the per person camp fees, this rate reserves your tent cabin for up to six people.

WHICH CAMPGROUNDS HAVE TENT CABINS?

Two Harbors and Hermit Gulch.

WHAT IS RECOMMENDED TO BRING CAMPING?

We recommend bringing whatever camping supplies you personally need, anything from tents, stoves, lanterns, sleeping bags with pads. We rent a limited supply of tents, stoves, and sleeping pads for the following campgrounds: Hermit Gulch, Two Harbors, and Little Harbor.

ARE THERE SHOWERS AT THE CAMPGROUND?

Two Harbors, Little Harbor and Black Jack all have outdoor cold water showers. Parsons Landing is a Primitive campground and has no running water. Hermit Gulch has coin operated showers.

DO YOU HAVE EQUIPMENT RENTALS?

We rent a limited supply of tents, stoves, and sleeping pads for the following campgrounds: Hermit Gulch, Two Harbors, and Little Harbor. If staying in Two Harbors, other camping items can be purchased at the Two Harbors General Store.

HOW BIG ARE THE LOCKERS IN TWO HARBORS?

The locker sizes vary slightly, but the approximate size is 1 ft wide by 2 ½ ft deep.

HOW FAR IS TWO HARBORS CAMPGROUND FROM THE VILLAGE?

Approximately one-quarter of a mile along a trail.

CAN I HAVE OPEN FIRES?

Campfires are allowed in the designated fire rings at Parsons Landing, Little Harbor, and Two Harbors. Fires are not allowed at Hermit Gulch and Black Jack. Fire are also not allowed at any of the boat-in campsites.

DO THE BOAT-IN SITES HAVE FACILITIES?

Boat-in sites do not have facilities. Campers must boat-in and boat-out everything including toilets.

ARE THERE MOORINGS AT LITTLE HARBOR?

There are no moorings at Little Harbor, though boaters may anchor.

CAN I VISIT THE CAMPGROUNDS AND NOT STAY THE NIGHT?

You cannot use any of the campsites for day use without an overnight camping reservation. Visitors are free to pass through a campground to access the beach.

ARE THERE RANGERS AT THE CAMPGROUNDS?

In the off season (fall, winter and spring) there are 2-3 rangers to service Two Harbors, Little Harbor, Parson's Landing and Black Jack campgrounds. During the summer season there are live-in rangers at Two Harbors and Little Harbor campgrounds. Hermit Gulch aslo has a live-in ranger.

IS THERE ELECTRICITY AT THE CAMPGROUNDS?

None of the campgrounds have electricity.

WHAT RENTAL GEAR & SUPPLIES ARE AVAILABLE?

4 Man Tent - $40per night ($50 deposit)
Sleeping Pad $7 per night
2-Burner Stove (propane not included): $25 per night

Listed upplies are available for rent at Two Harbors, Little Harbor, and Hermit Gulch Campgrounds.

WHAT CAMPING SUPPLIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE?

Sleeping Bag: $60
Bundle of Wood: $14 +tax
7 lbs of Charcoal: $18
16 oz Propane: $16
Fire Starter: $3

Supplies can also be purchased at Two Harbors General Store. The above prices do not include tax.

IS WATER AVAILABLE AT CAMPGROUNDS?

Potable water is available at every campground except for ParsonS Landing. Campers at Parsons Landing can purchase a locker, which contains 2 gallons of water, 1 firewood bundle, and 1 fire starter. Lockers are located at the campground. Locker keys can be picked up at the Two Harbors Visitor Service Center before campers begin their hike.

There are no keys, only combinations to the lockers at Parsons Landing.

A couple looking at each other in a camping tent with sea view at Catalina Island Company

General Information

Hiking To Campgrounds

Two Harbors Campground is in Two Harbors: Located about a quarter mile from the village of Two Harbors
Two Harbors to Little Harbor Campground: Approximately 5 miles.
Two Harbors to Parsons Landing: Approximately 8 miles via the fairly flat coastal route or approximately 6.5 miles via the more strenuous mountain route. Gear hauls are not offered to Parson’s Landing – all equipment and luggage must be backpacked and carried.
Two Harbors to Black Jack Campground: Approximately 14.5 miles via the Trans Catalina Trail. Gear hauls are not offered to Black Jack Campround – all equipment and luggage must be backpacked and carried.
Avalon to Hermit Gulch Campground: Approximately 1 mile

Potable water is available at every campground except for Parson Landing. Campers at Parsons Landing can purchase a locker, which contains 2 gallons of water, 1 firewood bundle, and 1 fire starter. Lockers are located at the campground. Locker keys can be picked up at the Two Harbors Visitor Service Center before campers begin their hike.

Gear Haul

We offer gear haul service to both Little Harbor and Two Harbors Campground. Guests can purchase gear hauls upon check-in at the Two Harbors Visitor Service Center

Two Harbors round-trip gear haul - $9.00
Little Harbor round-trip gear haul - $40.00 or one way $20.00

Large Groups may pre-arrange private gear hauls by calling Two Harbors Visitor Services.

Two Harbors Large Gear Haul Truck - $425.00 one-way
Little Harbor Large Gear Haul Truck - $475.00 one-way

Campground Reservations

Campground reservations open online every year on January 1st at 12:00 AM pacific time for the upcoming year. January reservations can be made over the phone with Two Harbors Visitor Services starting December 1st. For groups of 50 or more, camping reservations open on October 15th. Group camping reservations can be made by calling 310-510-4242. Two Harbors Visitor Services is open daily from 8 AM - 5 PM. Campgrounds have a minimum night stay unless hiking and camping along the Trans Catalina Trail.

Book a Campground →

People on board in the Catalina express near Catalina Island Company

Getting Here

Catch the Catalina Express ferry

From the mainland, you can catch the Catalina Express ferry from San Pedro directly to Two Harbors. You can also take the Cyclone power boat, which runs between Avalon and Two Harbors from May through October as part of the seasonal Discover Two Harbors tour.

For more information, check out our Camping Guidelines and FAQs about camping in Two Harbors. If you have any other questions, please email Visitor Services at visitorservices@scico.com.