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Map showing campground location near Avalon, California
Camper submitted image from Hermit Gulch CampgroundView 22 Photos
FacilitiesMap showing campground location near Avalon, California

Hermit Gulch Campground

6 ReviewsAdd Review

Golf cart traffic echoes through this walk-in campground situated in a chaparral-covered valley about a mile from downtown Avalon. Hermit Gulch operates on a per-person pricing structure rather than per-site, with 30 tent sites accessible via a short hike from the road or a $2 shuttle bus ride.

Wildlife moves through the campground regularly throughout the day. robherr notes that "wildlife comes through the campsite regularly," including deer, quail, woodpeckers, and the endemic Catalina fox. Around 7am, large flocks of crows fly down the valley with considerable noise. The campground provides showers that operate on quarters, with one quarter buying one minute of hot water.

Site selection affects the camping experience significantly. Sites toward the back of the campground offer more tree cover and distance from the main road, where golf cart traffic creates noise from 8am to 4pm. Site 29 receives particular praise for its larger size and separation from other campsites. The ranger station operates from 6am to 6pm, selling ice, charcoal, and propane. AT&T and Verizon provide cell service, while Sprint does not.

Covered trash cans are distributed throughout the sites, eliminating trips to a central dumpster. For those exploring campsites near Avalon, bring exact change for the shuttle and plenty of quarters for showers.

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Location

Private Campground

Hermit Gulch Campground is located in California

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

33.32807212 N
118.33952467 W

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

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

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

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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

6 Reviews

Guests commonly noted clean facilities, helpful rangers, and good site sizes with excellent wildlife viewing. Some visitors expressed disappointment with road noise from golf carts, though back sites provide better separation and quiet.

Kaitlyn B.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Dec. 17, 2024

Easy and great for first time campers

Clean bathrooms, friendly rangers, nice layout, cute wildlife, close to TCT. Only issue, which is probably just on all of Catalina, is that late hours of the night people are driving up the road in their golf carts which are super loud. So don’t get a site near the road if your an early or light sleeper.

SiteHG11
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Hermit Gulch Campground by Kaitlyn B., December 17, 2024
  • Review photo of Hermit Gulch Campground by Kaitlyn B., December 17, 2024
  • Review photo of Hermit Gulch Campground by Kaitlyn B., December 17, 2024
  • (7) View All
Lyle F.The Dyrt PRO User
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
J
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.

Morgan F.
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
robherr The Dyrt PRO User
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
    Play button icon
  • (4) View All
C
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
Showing results 1-6 of 6 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What do reviews say about Hermit Gulch Campground?

Hermit Gulch Campground is highly regarded for its convenient location, just a mile from downtown Avalon on Catalina Island. The campground sits in a picturesque mountainous valley surrounded by chaparral-covered slopes. Campers appreciate its cleanliness, friendly rangers, and nice layout. The proximity to Avalon makes it easy to access shops, restaurants, and island activities. Site 29 is considered particularly desirable by some for its secluded location away from the road. Some visitors note that golf carts driving on the nearby road at night can be noisy, so light sleepers might want to choose sites further from the road.

How do I find a map of Hermit Gulch Campground on Catalina Island?

Maps of Hermit Gulch Campground are available through the Catalina Island Company's official website, which manages the campground. The Catalina Island Conservancy also provides trail maps that include the campground's location. Upon arrival at Avalon, the Visitor Center offers printed maps of the island with campground details. Online camping reservation systems often include site maps during the booking process. For navigation purposes, the campground is approximately one mile from downtown Avalon, near the Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Gardens.

Are there photos available of Hermit Gulch Campground?

Yes, photos of Hermit Gulch Campground are available through various online platforms. The Dyrt features user-submitted photos that showcase the campground's tent sites, facilities, and natural surroundings. Official photos can also be found on the Catalina Island Company website, which manages the campground. These images typically highlight the campground's layout, nearby chaparral landscape, and tent camping areas. For the most current visual representation, check these official sources or social media platforms where visitors share their camping experiences.

What are the camping options on Catalina Island besides Hermit Gulch?

Catalina Island offers several camping alternatives to Hermit Gulch. Two Harbors Campground on the island's western end provides coastal camping with gorgeous views. Primitive beach camping is available at Parsons Landing, offering a more secluded experience right on the shoreline. Little Harbor Campground on the island's south side features beachfront sites with amazing sunset views. For adventurous backpackers, Black Jack Campground sits at a higher elevation in the island's interior. Each location offers unique experiences, from developed sites with amenities to remote wilderness camping accessible via the Trans-Catalina Trail.

What facilities and amenities are available at Hermit Gulch Campground?

Hermit Gulch Campground offers essential facilities including clean restrooms and showers. The campground features multiple tent sites with a thoughtful layout. It's conveniently located near the Wrigley Botanical Garden and serves as a starting point for the Trans-Catalina Trail (TCT). For supplies, campers can access Vons grocery store in Avalon. The campground is well-maintained and provides a comfortable base for exploring the island's attractions and recreational opportunities.

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