Hermit Gulch Campground accepts pets within a mile of Avalon, offering tent sites, electrical hookups, and shower facilities. Little Harbor, Black Jack, and Two Harbors campgrounds also welcome dogs with picnic tables, fire pits, and drinking water at each location. Campsites provide food storage boxes critical for securing pet food, as foxes frequently visit the campgrounds searching for unattended items. All four pet-friendly camping options on Catalina Island feature trash collection services and toilets, though specific pet policies require pets to be leashed at all times. Newport Dunes RV Resort on the mainland provides more extensive pet-friendly amenities including full hookups for RVs and pet-friendly cabins, yurts, and glamping accommodations.
Catalina Island's remoteness requires careful planning when camping with pets. Food and supplies must be packed in as options are limited once at the campgrounds. The Trans-Catalina Trail connects all island campgrounds, offering excellent hiking opportunities for leashed dogs, though buffalo frequent the area and maintaining safe distance is essential. Little Harbor Campground provides beach access for dogs with clear water ideal for swimming. The highest elevation campsite, Black Jack, offers cooler temperatures beneficial for pets during warmer months. Campground selection should consider transportation logistics, as some sites require significant hiking with gear and pets, while others like Hermit Gulch are accessible via shuttle bus for a $2 fare.
"A bit of a hike from Avalon and Airport in the sky, so pack what you need."
"Inland campground on Trans Catalina Trail, shaded and cool temps. Located approximately 11.5 miles from Avalon on the Trans Catalina Trail (TCT)."
"Took the ferry from San Clemente to Avalon (45 mins to 1 hour). Then a bus from Avalon to the campsite (1 to 1.5 hours depending the stop at the airport)."
"If you’re backpacking the Trans-Catalina trail, this is one of the best spots. Great views of the sunset, spaced out campsites with water spouts at each one and a 6 mile hike from airport in the sky."
"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)."
"It is right outside of Avalon and walking distance to everything. This is where the TCT begins."
"Set on the the terraced edges of Catalina, the views last for days. Two Harbors is often overlooked for Avalon, but it's oh so much better."
"If you’re ever in a position to go camping in Catalina - DO IT!!!"
$75 - $550 / night
"Beautiful weather, great location, full hook ups, fun activities, family & pet friendly!"
"The grounds are impeccably clean, beautifully maintained, and set in a truly stunning location. Everything feels well cared for and thoughtfully run."
$25 - $75 / night
"It’s right on top of Pacific Coast Highway and has a beautiful view of the ocean!"
"Luckily Booked last minute on reserve California (the worst web thing ever) on site 49. Looks like there is a oven view from every site. Close to beach and shopping."
$60 - $70 / night
"Beachfront camping in the heart of southern California. Concrete/asphalt sites with water electric and dump station. Adjacent to PCH so road noise but steps away from great sand beaches."
"The boardwalk was endless and great to walk the dog and go for a run! Restaurants all around to have dinner at!"
$45 - $250 / night
"San Mateo is one of the better beach campgrounds in California, some sites have some great privacy."
"Good trails nearby, but only 2 in Onofre Beach that allow dogs. Close to the ocean, restaurants and shopping. The trail between the campground and beach is~1.5 miles."
$80 - $85 / night
"However, you do get some road noise if you stay on the road side"
"This park is close to the action in Long Beach. Easily walkable or there are always E bikes and scooters to rent right outside the gate. Also, really appreciated that this RV park was gated."
$50 - $350 / night
"I frequently stay at this site since it's close to my house and on the beach. THE SITES:
The middle sites are small and tight, offering little privacy."
"This campground is at the edge of the Dana Point Harbor. The sites are small, but many of them are right on the beach. All sites have easy access to the beach. "
GuideThe location is awesome, two harbors has a summer camp feel. Easy little walk to town, great for those who dock their boats. VERY loud and crowded, my husband and I were exhausted after a long hike from Avalon.
GuideBlack Jack is the highest campground on catalina. Solid views and sites. I'd recommend it only for backpackers. A bit of a hike from Avalon and Airport in the sky, so pack what you need.
GuideTook the ferry from San Clemente to Avalon (45 mins to 1 hour). Then a bus from Avalon to the campsite (1 to 1.5 hours depending the stop at the airport). Went with a group and had to carry all your equipment and food for the weekend. The buses have plenty of room for coolers. Any last minute food items can be bought at the small grocery store in Avalon, but you'll pay for it. Once you leave Avalon, you are at the mercy of the bus schedules in order to get back to a store, which buses only come by the campsite a limited amount of times through the day or week.
Beach and cove is great for spearfishing or snorkeling. Rock cliffs wrap both north and south of the beach for miles and there are kayaks for rent on the beach, but need to pre-order.
Overall a great location to isolate yourself or with company on a sandy beach, BBQ, drink and relax.
RangerHermit 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.
GuideInland campground on Trans Catalina Trail, shaded and cool temps. Located approximately 11.5 miles from Avalon on the Trans Catalina Trail (TCT). The campground is inland and well shaded with larger trees. Very remote and quiet feeling. You won’t be able to see the coastline when at this campground but definitely will on your travels along the trail to get to the campground. Some nearby campers utilized hammocks and found sufficient trees to hang from. The potable water spigot is located just between site 5 and the bathrooms. We did not use the outdoor cold shower. It was the most unappealing shower sight compared to the other showers at other campgrounds along the TCT. The Airport In The Sky is approximately 2 miles up the trail in which we enjoyed a breakfast/lunch the next day as the trail led us by. The fox are no joke and aren’t afraid to get close. Keep all food and scented items locked up. To be on the safe side we put our entire packs in the critter proof lockers overnight. I did have great cell phone service at the campground (Verizon Wireless). However, areas of the TCT to the campground have limited-no service at times.
LegendLocated in Huntington Beach California. This site is right across the street from the beach. Be careful and aware when staying here. My husband and I had our mountain bikes stolen when sleeping. When we asked for camera footage the owners of the campground claimed the cameras were broken and they couldn’t share the footage. There are many homeless folks living in the area. The showers don’t get hot, but the area is clean. There is a pool and a hot tub and a small dog park. It’s expensive to stay here, but a beautiful spot.
GuideSuper friendly staff, super clean, 2 dog parks, offers really good wifi & cable. Can pick the oranges out of the tree
TravelerI’ve been here for a couple days and nobody’s mess with us. There’s other people that are staying in another parking lot attached that are homeless in their vehicles mostly cars and vans. I’m in a 25 foot Fleetwood RV. There’s a dog park kind of area with a big field they can run around and just clean up after them.There’s no public bathrooms, but there are trash cans so clean up after yourself please. It’s not tent friendly. I don’t believe.
ScoutAnaheim RV Resort is close to Disney and is on the Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) bus route. They have full hook up sites and room for large rigs - back-in and pull through. They are very pet friendly and even have a dog walking/feeding service (for an extra fee). There is a small pool and hot tub. The restrooms/showers and newly remodeled and very nice! Sites are all level and fairly large. We've stayed here 4 times and will be back again!
The Catalina Island interior rises to 2,097 feet with a Mediterranean climate averaging 65-75°F year-round. Unlike mainland camping areas, Catalina's pet-friendly campgrounds sit in rugged chaparral where dry conditions require campers to carry sufficient water for themselves and pets during hikes. Winter camping offers quieter campgrounds while summer temperatures regularly exceed 85°F at inland sites.
Trail running at Black Jack Campground: Located at the highest elevation campsite on Catalina, Black Jack's 11.5-mile distance from Avalon creates excellent terrain for morning runs. "The campground is inland and well shaded with larger trees. Very remote and quiet feeling. You won't be able to see the coastline when at this campground but definitely will on your travels along the trail to get to the campground," notes Leasa W. about the Black Jack Campground.
Snorkeling at Little Harbor: The cove offers protected waters with excellent visibility for snorkeling with or without pets watching from shore. "The water is clean and great for snorkeling and the campsites all have amazing views of the cove," reports Mandy E. from Little Harbor Campground. Pack your own snorkel gear as rentals aren't available at the campsite itself.
Kayaking from Two Harbors: Rentals available directly at the harbor for paddling the protected coves. "The water in the harbor is super clear. We kayaked around the area and loved it. At night we had deer walking directly through our site as we were eating dinner," shares Corey B. Sites at Two Harbors provide convenient water access while keeping pets safe at camp.
Wildlife encounters: "Lots of kids riding bikes and having fun! Walking the one mile each way to the beach was nice with our dog on leash because the terrain has snake potential," says Jeannie B. about San Mateo Campground. Catalina's foxes, deer, and marine life create memorable wildlife viewing opportunities around dawn and dusk.
Beach proximity: Sites directly on the sand make pet exercise convenient. "Steps away from the sand," reports Paul N. about Doheny State Beach, making quick pet breaks manageable. Morning walks with dogs require leashes but provide exercise opportunities before daily temperatures rise.
Campsite spacing: "The sites are large and can fit multiple tents. There are picnic tables and fire pits. It seemed like it should have been packed but I think the price and ease of arrival keeps people away," mentions Hayley K. about Two Harbors Campground. The extra space provides room for pet enclosures and equipment.
Ant problems: Several Catalina campgrounds experience ant invasions, requiring preparation. "We made the mistake of not being prepared for the ANTS!!! After trying to get rid of them we came in to find ants on top of ants having a party," warns C M. about San Mateo. Bringing ant deterrents like Comet cleanser helps create barriers around tent perimeters and pet food dishes.
Limited accessibility: Most pet-friendly sites require carrying gear. "You have to walk to your site which involves a few hills but I took a few breaks along the way and it was fine. You can pay to get your luggage delivered to your site I am unsure of the price," explains Amber about Two Harbors. Factor in your pet's ability to hike when selecting sites.
Water management: "Fresh water soaks everything so use the gear box overnight to keep your stuff dry," warns Sarah M. about Black Jack. Morning dew and fog require waterproof storage for pet supplies including food, bedding, and medications throughout your stay.
Site selection priority: For pet-friendly family camping, choose protected sites. "We got a foldable wagon to lug all our stuff to our site. Make sure you have a strong man. Lol walking the hills was enough for me I couldn't imagine pulling a wagon full of gear as well," advises Amber from Two Harbors, highlighting transportation challenges with children and pets.
Shower planning: "Showers are token operated with dispensers just around the side of the bathroom facility outbuilding. 2 tokens would cover a typical shower and we were pleased by the hot water," notes Crystal C. about San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach. Bring quarters for showers after beach days with pets and kids.
Temperature management: "This is the highest elevation campground on Catalina Island. Don't expect to be by the beach. Bison frequent the area so give them their space," explains Mandy E. about Black Jack, highlighting the cooler temperatures beneficial for pets during summer visits but requiring extra layers for children at night.
RV size restrictions: "Although the small cottage would've been fine if we didn't need to an oven, stove and large refrigerator. Beach front cottage was almost twice the price so staying in the back was great," mentions Chad M. about Newport Dunes RV Resort, one of the few mainland pet-friendly options with full hookups near ferry access.
Reservation timing: "The campgrounds where clean and you could smell the bonfires each night," shares Larenn R. about Doheny State Beach, emphasizing the need to book 6+ months in advance for prime RV spots with pet access. Holiday weekends require booking when reservations open.
Utility access: "Very well maintained campground. The spots are groomed and clean when you come in. Great Long Beach location, a nice bike ride along the beach to Naples and the Queen Mary," reports Theo A. from Golden Shore RV Resort, an alternative mainland camping option near the Catalina ferry terminal with pet-friendly policies and full hookups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Avalon, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Avalon, CA is Black Jack Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Avalon, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 22 dog-friendly camping locations near Avalon, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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