Hermit Gulch Campground California

Hermit Gulch Overview

Hermit Gulch Campground is located on the outskirts of Avalon (1.5 miles from the ferry terminal) on beautiful Catalina Island. It has 44 tent-only campsites (including 1 group) and 9 tent cabins.  The campground is situated in Avalon Canyon near the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden.

The campground is open everyday during the summer (mid May to mid September) and on the weekends during the off season. Amenities include potable (drinking) water, flush toilets, hot-water showers ($), vending machines and outdoor kitchen style skinks. There’s also a city transit bus stop next to the campground. Each campsite has a table and BBQ pedestal. Most sites have decent tree shade. Cell service is fair in the area.

Campground reservations open online every year on January 1 at 12:00AM PST for the upcoming year. January reservations can be made starting December 1 at 8:00AM PST online or via phone. For groups of 50 or more, reservations open October 15 via phone only.

Hermit Gulch Campground – Area Recreation & Activities

Campers have easy access to beaches, restaurants, nightlife, shopping and island tours.  The walk to the beach is about a mile or you can take the city bus.  Hiking is popular with easy access to the 38.5 mile Trans Catalina Trail. The Hermit Gulch Trail is also accessible from the campground, and there’s access to other hiking trails nearby. Down at the beach you can swim, snorkel, kayak and enjoy the scenery.

Other developed (primitive) campgrounds are located at Two Harbors and Little Harbor. Parson’s Landing and Black Jack also have campsites.

Transportation To Catalina Island

The Catalina Express operates round-trip service to Two Harbors from San Pedro. However, from late October to late March (dates vary) it does not travel to Two Harbors on Tuesdays or Thursdays. View the most current Catalina Express schedule here. You can also arrive via private boat.

Make a Reservation for Hermit Gulch

Amenities

• BBQ Grills
• Campsite Tables
• Cell Service Fair
• Drinking Water
• Dumpsters
• Grills
• Picnic Tables
• Showers
• Trash Collection
• Vending Machines

Activities

• Backpacking
• Beach Combing
• Biking
• Bird Watching
• Boat Tours
• Boating
• Golf
• Hiking
• Historic Sites
• Kayaking
• Paddle boarding (SUP)
• Photography
• Picnicking
• Sailing
• Scuba Diving
• Skin Diving
• Snorkeling
• Swimming
• Water Sports
• Wildlife Viewing