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Facilities

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Established Camping

Hermit Gulch Campground

Hermit Gulch Campground, near Avalon, California, is a fantastic spot for those looking to enjoy the beauty of Catalina Island while still being close to the action. This campground offers a mix of tent and glamping options, making it accessible for both seasoned campers and beginners.

The facilities here are solid, with drinking water, showers, and clean restrooms available. Visitors have noted the abundance of wildlife, with sightings of deer, quail, and even the elusive Catalina fox, adding a unique touch to your camping experience. As one camper put it, “There is sooooo much wildlife that frequently visits the campground.”

Location is key, and Hermit Gulch doesn’t disappoint. It’s just a short walk or a quick bus ride from downtown Avalon, where you can dive into local activities, dining, and shopping. Plus, you’re close to the Wrigley Botanical Garden, a must-see for nature lovers.

While some campers mentioned that the sites can feel a bit close together, the overall vibe is friendly and welcoming. If you’re after a campsite with easy access to both nature and the conveniences of Avalon, Hermit Gulch is a solid choice for your next adventure.

Description

Hermit Gulch Campground is Avalon’s only camping facility located within city limits. The campground is situated in Avalon Canyon near the Nature Center and the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden.

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, sight seeing and nightlife.

Location

Hermit Gulch Campground is located in California

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

33.32807212 N
118.33952467 W

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Access

  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Available
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Available

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump

Contact

General Info


Reviews

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5 Reviews

Reviewed Feb. 4, 2021

Accessible, family friendly and close to everything Avalon has to offer

This is a traditional, clean, accessible and beautiful. Just an easy option while staying on the island and enjoying all the city of Avalon has to offer. Close to Botanical Gardens, hiking and plenty of money spending opportunities including activities, food and entertainment. Speaking of spending money... you gotta get to the island first and then be prepared to drop some coin. =)

Month of VisitJanuary
Reviewed Aug. 24, 2020

Best Campground for beginner camper.

A really nice campground. Only 30 mins walk or 5 minute bus ride from downtown Avalon. I highly recommend using the bus for the first and last trip when arriving as trying to walk there with all your gear can be quite challenging. If you need food or other provisions you can go to the Vons, or the ranger station(Open 6am-6pm), can provide ice, charcoal or propane. Showers only take quarters so make sure to bring quarters (1 quarter = 1 minute). I reccomend reserving a campsite near the back of the campground as there is more tree cover for shade and it gets you farther away from the main road that receives alot of loud golf cart traffic and can be extremely noisy(usually from 8am-4pm). There is an added bonus that I felt that made this campground unique to others that I've been to, which is there is sooooo much wildlife the frequently visits the campground. In one day we saw deer, quail, woodpeckers and the famous Catalina fox. This campsite is positively a must camp if you are on Catalina Island.

Reviewed Oct. 15, 2019

Awesome location no privacy

This campground is cool because you can literally take a bus to it. It is right outside of Avalon and walking distance to everything. This is where the TCT begins.

Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Sep. 11, 2018

Easy access to Avalon, hiking, and Wrigley Botanical Garden

Hermit Gulch is in a little mountainous valley among Catalina's chapparrel covered slopes.

Pros: the loacion is great, about a mile from Avalon and all of the snorkeling spots, and even closer to Wrigley Botanical Garden (which is a must-see while you're there). The campsite has showers, toilets, and shade (in spots). The sites are ok sized for tents. Wildlife comes through the campsite regularly.

Cons: the pricing is per person rather than per site. Wildlife comes through the campsite regularly (7am about 100 crows fly down the valley squaking and cawing).

Overall I would stay here again though.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Hermit Gulch Campground by robherr , September 11, 2018
  • Review photo of Hermit Gulch Campground by robherr , September 11, 2018
  • Deer are frequent visitors
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Reviewed May. 22, 2018

A fun camping hideaway on the bustling Catalina Island

I stayed here Labor Day weekend for tent camping! So, since I don't plan to camp here again for awhile, I should let you in on the secret(?) that the best campsite is Site 29!!! Reserve this one if you can!! It's the furthest away from the road and taxi dropoff, so it can be frustrating if you have to lug all your stuff, but it's well worth it. This site is much larger than the other sites. I think it's because it's at the end and it's not big enough to make into 2 separate sites. There's also a lot of shade relative to the other sites, which generally don't have much. This of course changes depending on the time of day. Site 29 also seems to be more separated from the other sites, whereas the other sites seem to be stacked on one another. 

The ranger was very helpful. The bathrooms were pretty clean and well-stocked the whole time, which is impressive since it was such a busy weekend. 

The shuttle is $2 exact change.

I appreciate that there are covered trash cans scattered amongst the sites so we don't all have to lug our trash to a big smelly dumpster. 

The ranger said that AT&T and Verizon have service at the campground. My friends have Sprint and they did not have service. 

Ok that's all I can think of for now. Have fun camping here! :)

SiteSite 29
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Hermit Gulch Campground by Cassie R., May 22, 2018

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is there cell phone reception at Hermit Gulch Campground?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is available, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is available.