Best Tent Camping near Avalon, CA
Catalina Island offers unique tent camping opportunities near Avalon, California, with several established campgrounds along the Trans Catalina Trail (TCT). Parsons Landing Campground provides true beach camping with only eight tent sites situated directly on a sandy shoreline. Black Jack Campground sits at the highest elevation on the island, approximately 11.5 miles from Avalon, offering a more secluded inland experience. Little Harbor Campground features beachfront tent sites with palm trees and ocean views, while Hermit Gulch Campground provides the most accessible tent camping option just one mile from downtown Avalon. Two Harbors Campground, located on the opposite side of the island, offers tent sites with harbor views.
Access to tent campsites requires careful planning as all equipment must be transported to the island via ferry. Most tent campgrounds feature basic amenities including picnic tables, fire pits, and food storage lockers. Potable water availability varies by location, with some sites offering water spigots while others require pre-purchasing water that will be stored in lockers for camper access. Primitive tent camping at Parsons Landing requires hikers to arrange water and firewood delivery in advance. Toilet facilities range from vault toilets to portable restrooms, with some campgrounds offering cold outdoor showers. Wildlife protection measures are essential as island foxes and birds actively seek food at all tent sites.
Tent campers frequently use these campgrounds as overnight stops while backpacking the Trans Catalina Trail. According to reviews, sites at Parsons Landing feature rock walls built as windshields to protect tent campers from strong coastal breezes. One visitor noted that Black Jack Campground offers "well-shaded sites with larger trees" creating a "remote and quiet feeling" despite being inland without coastal views. At Hermit Gulch, campers recommend sites farther from the road to avoid noise from golf cart traffic. Walk-in tent sites at Little Harbor provide spectacular sunset views with spaced-out campsites that include individual water spouts. Backcountry tent camping requires advance reservations for all locations, with pricing typically charged per person rather than per site.
