2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Tent camping options around Huntington Beach, California include established campgrounds primarily on Catalina Island, where sites cater specifically to tent users. Black Jack Campground and Hermit Gulch Campground provide tent-focused sites in the Avalon area of Catalina Island, accessible by ferry from the mainland. China Camp State Park in Marin County offers walk-in tent sites with a natural setting despite being farther from Huntington Beach.
Most tent sites require campers to carry gear short distances from parking areas to designated camping spots. China Camp features walk-in tent sites where wheeled totes can be borrowed to transport equipment. Black Jack Campground, positioned at the highest elevation on Catalina Island, offers basic amenities including potable water, outdoor showers, picnic tables, fire pits, and food storage boxes. Vault toilets are standard at most locations, though shower facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. A visitor commented that "each site has a picnic table and fire pit. You have to find or bring in your own wood for the fire."
These tent-only camping areas attract visitors seeking a more traditional outdoor experience. Catalina Island campgrounds provide unique wildlife viewing opportunities, with multiple campers reporting fox sightings near their tent sites. The inland location of Black Jack Campground offers shade and cooler temperatures compared to coastal areas, making it attractive for summer tent camping. A camper noted that "wildlife comes through the campsite regularly," mentioning deer, quail, woodpeckers and the Catalina fox. Hermit Gulch Campground sits within walking distance of Avalon's amenities while still providing a natural tent camping experience. Sites farther from access roads typically offer more privacy and less noise disturbance from passing traffic, an important consideration for tent campers seeking tranquility.
"Excellent beach camping and tent friendly. plenty of shade and nearby restaurants and shops. Definitely recommend this location."
"the restrooms were clean and showers hot. great views and great for families. most sites are a good size but only room for two vehicles. No wifi but a good book will do. The staff was nice."
from $50 - $350 / night
"The campground was not busy and this allowed me to pick a spot hidden away from others. There are restrooms and a place to get water, but when I was there the showers were closed. "
"This walk-in campground is part of China Camp State Park. Only 33 tent-only sites! Wheeled totes can be borrowed to haul your gear up some little hills to your campsite under oak and bay trees."
Available next weekend
from $35 - $175 / night
"I am glad we pitched in a tent instead of paying for the high price hotels in town. The campground have toilets, running water, and showers."
"Low and thus close to the beach! although it only just fit our small 4P Kelty Late start on the level spot, there was a lot of room."
"Great campground that is very accessible to the trans Catalina trail."
"Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. You have to find or bring in your own wood for the fire. There’s two bathrooms and a public, open shower. Fresh water is available too."
"Only 30 mins walk or 5 minute bus ride from downtown Avalon."
"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
thebest campsite is Site 29!!!"
"If you’re backpacking through here, I highly recommend you stay the night. A camp site includes potable water, fire pit, picnic table, food storage box. Everything you need. Porta potties available."
"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."
"Sites have rocks stacked up as a wind shield, it really helps! You’ll also have a picnic table, food storage box, and a fire pit. Vault toilets are available."
"This is the final campgound on the Trans Catalina Trail and one of my favorites."
"Cool drive to get to the campground. You drive up and down these hilly roads up the mountain to get there. Once there, there's a parking lot that fits about 20 cars."
"When you can’t do a 2h hike before setting camp, but you also don’t want to camp close to your car, Millard campground is perfect. The parking lot is just behind the corner out of view."
"You can only access this campground by backpacking in. There's about 12 campsites with picnic benches and fire rings. There's a creek that runs through. it's beautiful and feels completely isolated."
"Hoegee’s is 2 miles hike from Chantry Flats by way of the Lower Winter Creek Trail. The site is named for Hoegee’s resort which stood just upstream."
"This is a backpackers campground. First come first serve, picnic tables and fire rings included. I think there is only about 8-10 sites. Nice creek flows though the campground."
"This is a hike in campground that has stoves and a creek running through. The sites are nicely spaced and there is plenty of shade. Perfect little backpacking trip."
ScoutSite is clean, many activities on weekends They also add 1000lb or catfish and trout weekly depending on season. Members were friendly. Downside is wifi when the campsite is 75+ full and only about a dozen paved spots. Major are gravel and dirt.
GuideThis is a small campground with a lot of sites packed into it. Thankfully, it was not a full house for any of the days I was there. You can literally hear everything everyone says, every snore, every zipper, every time someone rolls over on their air mattress. There are no sites that are private. That said, I liked the place a lot.
The rangers were super nice and kept the bathrooms clean and stocked and calmly lit at night (not a blazing light). The showers were just the right temperature and cost 25 cents a minute (the first 60-90 seconds are waiting for the hot water).
Each site has access to a food/toiletry storage box. The upper loop sites have their own boxes (I think some of the lower loop sites share bigger boxes), and you can bring a lock (or buy one at Vons) and put anything you want in there or you can use the pay lockers (1.50).
You can definitely walk to town. It will take you 20 minutes, 30 if you are slower paced. The walk back is harder as it is up hill.
I do not recommend site 29, as it has no shade and it is no larger nor more private than the rest of the sites. My site was adjacent to 29 and shaded, the sites directly across from me had even more shade. There are lots of trees in the campground.
GuideI didn't book very early but was able to get a site right across from the lifeguard station. The sunset view was quintessential California and maybe even worth the price of admission, which is pretty steep at $53 for tent camping and freeway noise.
The restrooms vary, so if one is particularly distasteful, head to a quieter area of the campground.
RR noise isn't bad, as the crossing is far enough away that the horn blast seems quite distant. I-5 is very noisy however. There are lots of on/off ramps in that area, and with hills to climb it just makes for a lot of engine noise.
TravelerNice spot with great hiking. Limited facilities. No hookups. $1 for 2 minute shower (tokens).
TravelerI went there to see, before making a reservation. I found the trailer park—maybe 100 old mobile homes—but I never found an RV park. I didn’t see anything to see. The “pool” was empty. The office was locked, and it wasn’t lunch. Just kinda not happening. I left a message to call me with the answering service, but I never got a call back.
ScoutI have been to this campground many times and it is always a great time. Easy access to town, surf, the beach, and great facilities. Highly recommend!
ScoutI found the campground to be very friendly kid friendly and pet friendly. The spots were spacious and some had privacy others were out in the open. The rangers were very friendly and helpful, they helped me set up my tent when they saw I was having trouble. There are trails to explore. A great last minute getaway from the city and not to far, the bathroom was clean and modern with hot showers and toilets.
TravelerVery windy and need high clearance vehicles
TravelerYou definitely need high clearance vehicles or you will not make it here
Tent camping near Huntington Beach, California requires travel to surrounding areas, with most sites located on Catalina Island or in nearby mountain regions. Catalina campgrounds are accessible by ferry service departing from coastal points near Huntington Beach, adding transportation time to camping trips. Winter Creek flows through several inland camping areas, providing water access at higher elevations during the appropriate seasons.
Snorkeling and paddleboarding: At Two Harbors Campground, the beach is "right off the campground, perfect for snorkeling and paddle boarding. There is also a rental office that can provide you with diving equipment, kayaks, and other fun water activities."
Hiking to waterfalls: A 30-minute hike from Millard Trail Campground leads to a scenic waterfall. The trail offers natural shade even on hot days as "the waterfall trail is nothing but shade provided by the trees foliage and the creek kept our dogs cool as they would jump in and out of the small pools."
Mountain biking trails: China Camp State Park offers extensive trails for cyclists. "Located on the west side of the San Rafael/Richmond Bridge, on San Francisco Bay, this park is extremely popular with mountain bikers. There are definitely better mountain biking trails in Marin but keep in mind that the bar is very high for mountain biking in Marin."
Wildlife viewing: Catalina Island camping provides opportunities to see native and introduced species. At Hermit Gulch Campground, "there is sooooo much wildlife the frequently visits the campground. In one day we saw deer, quail, woodpeckers and the famous Catalina fox."
Beach camping: The shoreline sites at Parsons Landing Campground offer direct beach access. "Parson's Landing is a super unique campground. I would say it's the only TRUE beach camping I've ever been able to find. The campground is a secluded beach with a rock wall on one end. Site 1 is tucked around next to the wall - very cool!"
Peaceful backcountry settings: Mountain campgrounds near Los Angeles provide quiet retreats. At Hoegees Trail Camp, campers report it "feels completely isolated" despite being relatively close to urban areas. "You can only access this campground by backpacking in. There's about 12 campsites with picnic benches and fire rings."
Transportation logistics: Getting to Catalina Island requires advance planning. For Two Harbors Campground, "you have to reserve on Reserve America. The sites are pretty expensive and charge by the person. $27-$29 (Winter-Summer pricing) for each person with a $10 reservation fee... You also need to have a boat ticket to take the ferry over and back."
Water availability: Many backcountry sites have limited or no water access. At Black Jack Campground, "outdoor showers only but sites all come with tables, bear boxes and potable water is available."
Weather preparation: Marine fog affects coastal camping areas. At Black Jack Campground, "thick fog soaks everything so use the gear box overnight to keep your stuff dry."
Wildlife concerns: Raccoons and other small animals can be problematic at many campgrounds. At China Camp, "the raccoons here are AGGRESSIVE! They won't attack you, but they will walk right up to your camp and try to steal your food."
Transportation assistance: At China Camp State Park, "wheeled totes can be borrowed to haul your gear up some little hills to your campsite under oak and bay trees. Some sites are along a level trail."
Swimming safety: Exercise caution with children in natural water areas. At China Camp, "BEWARE—WEAR WATER SHOES and be careful if you swim here... Yes, it's shallow and the water is pretty nice... BUT there are tons of sharp rocks and oyster shells bits & pieces."
Campsite selection: At Millard Trail Campground, "there's about six campsites and their first come first serve, no reservations. I went during the week and was the only one camping. This place is heavily used for day camping and hiking."
Limited RV options: Most tent camping areas near Huntington Beach don't accommodate RVs. Two Harbors is one of the few that lists RV camping as an option, though tent camping is more common.
Ferry transportation: When bringing RVs to Catalina Island, verify size limitations and fees with ferry services. Larger RVs may not be accommodated on standard passenger ferries.
Alternative coastal options: For RVers seeking beach proximity without ferry transportation, consider mainland sites further from Huntington Beach with proper facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time of year for tent camping at Huntington Beach?
The ideal time for tent camping around Huntington Beach is late spring through early fall (May to October) when temperatures are mild and precipitation is minimal. Little Jimmy Trail Campground offers pleasant conditions during these months, with summer bringing warm days and cool nights. For a less crowded experience, consider Millard Trail Campground, which is more accessible during shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) when temperatures are moderate and crowds are thinner. Winter camping is possible but less comfortable due to cooler temperatures and increased chance of rain.
What amenities are provided at Huntington Beach tent camping sites?
Tent camping sites in the Huntington Beach area typically offer a range of amenities depending on the location. Angeles National Forest Big Rock Campground provides basic amenities including fire rings and creek access. For more developed options, Two Harbors Campground offers potable water, toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits. Most coastal campgrounds provide food storage boxes to protect supplies from wildlife, while some include outdoor showers (though often cold water only). Vault toilets are standard at most locations, but full shower facilities are less common. Always check specific campground details when booking as amenities can vary significantly between sites.
Where is tent camping allowed in Huntington Beach?
Tent camping in the Huntington Beach area is primarily available along the coastal areas of Southern California. Parsons Landing Campground offers beachfront tent camping with sites directly on a sandy beach where you can fall asleep to crashing waves. For those seeking tent camping with more inland options, China Camp State Park Campground provides traditional tent sites a short hike from the parking area. Most beach area campgrounds require reservations well in advance, especially during peak seasons, as sites are limited and in high demand.
How much does tent camping cost at Huntington Beach?
Tent camping costs in the Huntington Beach area vary by location and amenities. At Black Jack Campground, which is accessible from the Trans Catalina Trail, tent sites typically range from $25-35 per night. Little Harbor Campground, with its beautiful beachfront location, generally charges $30-45 per night for tent sites. Most coastal campgrounds in the region require reservation fees in addition to nightly rates. Some locations also have additional charges for premium sites with ocean views or for holiday and summer weekends when demand is highest.
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