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.
We offer campground options across Catalina Island
AVALON CAMPING | TWO HARBORS CAMPING | LITTLE HARBOR CAMPGROUND | PRIMITIVE CAMPING | BOAT IN CAMPING
Hermit Gulch Campground Rules
- Children must be supervised at all times. Each camper under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult at least 25 years of age who will assume full responsibility for them at all times.
- Wood Fires are Prohibited. (Avalon City Fire Code) Wax composite logs and charcoal ONLY.
- All plants and animals are protected. DO NOT feed the animals.
- Wood cutting, plant collecting or in any way removing or defacing any natural or manmade feature is prohibited.
- NO LITTERING. Trash cans are provided. Campsites must be kept and left clean with all refuse placed in trash cans.
- Smoking is permitted in the BBQ areas only. Please no smoking inside the Tent Cabins or Restroom Buildings.
- SORRY. Pets are not allowed.
- Quiet hours are 10PM to 8AM (Plan Accordingly)
- Loud voices, noise, amplified sound or music is not allowed. This includes radios, personal speakers and musical instruments. When returning to camp after dark please do not disturb other campers.
Camping Etiquette
- Camping etiquette is, for the most part, simple common courtesy and respect.
- Respect others' rights and space. Do not walk across or through others campsite.
- Keep voices down and do not use offensive language.
- Keep children supervised and out of the trees. Restroom buildings are not a play area.
- Keep your campsite and area clean. Remove any trash or debris from campsite before departure. This includes cigarette butts.
- Campground facilities exist for the benefit of all campers. Please help keep them clean. Report any damage or messes to camp staff.
Please Note: Hermit Gulch Campground is a private campground. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. Failure to follow campground rules and be a respectful courteous camper may result in removal from the campground and or fines.
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
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EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF CATALINA CAMPING!
Located just outside the village on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Two Harbors Campground offers traditional tent camping, and unique tent cabins. All camping options give you access to cold water showers, chemical toilets, fresh water, picnic tables, and fire pits with grates for cooking. Purchase your favorite food and drinks from the Two Harbors General Store and have your items delivered directly to your campsite Two Harbors Campground. 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 Two Harbors Campground for $48.50.
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GROUP CAMPING WITH AWESOME OCEAN VIEWS
Bahia Azul is a secluded group camping site adjacent to the Two Harbors campground. This unique site offers you and your group amazing views of the Pacific Ocean, a semi-private beach, and all the amenities to make your camping experience unforgettable. The site’s common area has a large fire pit with campfire seating, a large gas BBQ with propane included, and chemical toilets. Bahia Azul also offers a cold water outdoor shower, and running potable water. This exclusive group camping site can accommodate a maximum of 30 people. Includes 60 roundtrip gear haul tags for luggage. (sorry, no bungee cords allowed on gear for gear haul transport!)
CALL 310.510.2000 X4242
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FAMILY CAMPING RIGHT ON THE BEACH
Located just steps from the water's edge, Brisa del Mar is a group camping site located right on the beach in the Two Harbors Campground. This deluxe site puts you and your guests inches away from a pristine beach perfect for fishing, kayaking, and snorkeling. Brisa del Mar includes a large A-Frame shade structure, 2 large charcoal BBQs, running potable water, a cold-water outdoor shower, and chemical toilets. This exclusive group camping site can accommodate a maximum of 30 adults. Includes 60 roundtrip gear haul tags for luggage. (sorry, no bungee cords allowed on gear for gear haul transport!)
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COMFORTABLE CAMPING EXPERIENCE IN TWO HARBORS
Deck Rooms are a fun and economical way to enjoy Two Harbors and Catalina Island. Conveniently located in the heart of the village, Catalina Cabins sleep two people in simple comfort, with each offering a small refrigerator, heater, and closet. They are available November 1 - March 31. Guests must bring their own sleeping bag, pillow, and towel. Linen packages are currently unavailable. All guests at the Deck Rooms share an outdoor community kitchen, restrooms and coin-operated showers. The kitchen has gas burners and barbecues, a sink basin with running water, and plenty of counter space for preparing food. Cooking utensils are not provided. Sorry, no pets allowed. Book a Deck Room OR CALL 310.510.4205
Camping Rules
- Minors (under 18) must be accompanied by an adult who assumes full responsibility at all times.
- Check-in time is at 2 pm.
- Check-out time is 11 am.
- Quiet hours: 10 pm to 9 am.
- Loud or amplified sound and music, including radios, are not permitted at any time.
- Fires are NOT permitted at Hermit Gulch, Black Jack, or the Catalina Boat-In Sites. Fires ARE permitted at Two Harbors, Little Harbor, and Parsons Landing campground. In accordance with the LA County Fire Code, fires and smoking are permitted in the BBQ and fire ring areas only.
- Wood cutting, plant collecting or in any way removing or defacing any natural or man-made feature is prohibited.
- Firearms, archery equipment, traps or other hunting equipment are strictly prohibited.
- Please leave campsite litter free with refuse in the trash containers.
- All plants and animals are protected. Buffalo and other wildlife are unpredictable; keep your distance.
- NO Pets are allowed at Two Harbors or Hermit Gulch Campground.
- Hammocks are not allowed at Two Harbors and Hermit Gulch Campground.
- Biking Permits are required in the interior. Get information at catalinaconservancy.org
- Your camping reservation serves as your hiking permit. No need to apply or pay for a separate permit.
- Consecutive Night Maximum: Guests are permitted to stay a maximum of 10 nights in the campground and must check out for a minimum of 7 nights before returning
- Disposal of human waste in trash receptacle is not permitted.
- Catalina Boat-In Sites do not have trash disposal or chemical toilets on site. Campers must bring their own portable toilet and pack-in, pack-out all waste and trash. A cleaning fee of $200.00 may be charged to your reservation if trash, litter, or waste is left behind.
Cancellation Policy
In order to move or cancel your reservation please notify our office at least 14 days prior to your reservation start date to receive a 100% refund of all camping fees and supplies. The $9.25 reservation fee is non-refundable. Any reservations made less than 14 days prior are non-refundable. You can reach our office by emailing us at visitorservices@scico.com or by calling 310.510.4205.
Group Camping Cancellation Policy: Bahia Azul; Brisa Del Mar; and Groups consisting of 20 people or more
If the entire group cancels 60 days or more prior to arrival the group will receive a 100% refund of all camping fees and supplies. The $9.25 reservation fees are non-refundable. Any cancellations made less than 60 days prior to the arrival are non-refundable. You can reach groups sales by emailing camping@scico.com or by calling 310.510.4242.
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.
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ISLAND SECLUSION RIGHT ON THE BEACH
Parson's Landing is a secluded beach campground located seven miles west of the village of Two Harbors. Its eight primitive sites can accommodate up to eight people each and are accessible by a strenuous 6.7 mile hike on the Silver Peak Trail, or a 7.7 mile walk on the West End Road. Kayaking is another option. It is 4.25 miles by water from Two Harbors to Parsons Landing. Kayaks are available to rent from the Two Harbors Dive Shop at 310.510.4272. Parson's Landing is also one of the campgrounds on the popular 38.5 mile Trans-Catalina Trail, a rugged hike across the island's interior. Learn more about hiking the Trans-Catalina Trail. Lockers pre-stocked with one bundle of firewood, one fire starter, and a 2-gallon jug of water are available for purchase for $27. To pre-order a locker, please call Two Harbors Visitor Services at 310.510.4205. Campers can pick up locker keys at Visitor Services before they begin their hike. We recommend purchasing at least one gallon of water per person, per day.
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GREAT VIEWS AT CATALINA'S HIGHEST CAMPGROUND
Black Jack Campground is nestled among pine and eucalyptus trees near 2,097-foot Mt. Orizaba, Catalina Island’s highest peak. Situated several miles from both Avalon and Two Harbors, Black Jack offers a tranquil camping experience in the island’s interior. The campground is 1,600 feet above sea level and offers 10 sites with sweeping views of rolling terrain all the way down to the ocean. It's also one of the campgrounds along the 38.5 mile Trans-Catalina Trail.
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Camping Guidelines
Camping is one of the best ways to enjoy Santa Catalina Island’s rugged beauty. However, to protect the island’s unique environment, the following rules and regulations apply to all Santa Catalina Island campgrounds. Please observe these guidelines as fully as possible
TENT CABINS
Tent Cabins are only available at Two Harbors and Hermit Gulch campgrounds.
PERMIT REQUIRED
Your camping reservation serves as your camping/hiking permit. Campers can check in at the Two Harbors Visitor Center. (There are no longer check-in points in Avalon.)
HIKING
No hiking is allowed from sundown to dawn. It's very easy to get lost and disorientated while in the interior.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Under-age drinking is unlawful (BPC 25662). The law will be strictly enforced and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
CURFEW FOR MINORS
It is unlawful for any minor under the age of 18 years to be present in a ‘public place’ between the hours of 10 PM on any given day and sunrise of the immediately following day, as defined in Los Angeles County Ordinance 13.56.010 B. Additionally, no unsupervised minor is allowed in the interior of the island from sunset to sunrise. A supervised minor is defined as a person under the age of 18 who is accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or an adult at least 25 years of age or older, authorized by said parent or guardian to have care and custody of the minor and who will assume full responsibility for said minor at all times.
SWIMMING
Swim at your own risk. No lifeguards on duty.
HOOK-UPS
There are no electrical hook-ups available at any of the campsites.
FIRE PRECAUTIONS
In accordance with the L.A. County Fire Code, fires and smoking are permitted in the BBQ and fire ring areas only. No wood fires of any kind are allowed at the Hermit Gulch Campground.
GATHERING WOOD
Gathering wood or plants, or in any way removing or defacing any natural or man-made feature is prohibited.
HUNTING
Firearms, archery equipment, traps or other hunting equipment are strictly prohibited.
PLANT AND ANIMAL LIFE
All plants and animals on the island are protected. Bison and other wildlife are unpredictable; keep your distance.
QUIET HOURS
Campground and beach quiet hours are between 10 PM and 8 AM . Radios and loud or amplified sound or music are not allowed at any time.
PETS
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).
NO LITTERING
Trash cans are provided in every camp. Each camp area must be left clean, with all refuse in trash cans. Use separate containers for recyclable materials when provided. The Catalina Boat-in Sites do not have trash disposal. Guests must pack in
CAMPING RESERVATIONS
Please call 310.510.4205 for camping reservations or book online. *Weather Condition Notice: If rain or wind is in the weather forecast, please be aware the Catalina Express boats may be canceled. Hiking trails and road closures on the island may occur due to rain or inclement weather conditions. Please contact the Two Harbors Visitor Service Center at 310.510.4205 for road closure updates and current status of hiking trails.
Camping FAQs & Rental Information
