Best Tent Camping near San Juan Capistrano, CA
Tent campsites near San Juan Capistrano offer several established options for primitive camping on Catalina Island, with multiple tent-only campgrounds located within a 1-2 hour journey from the mainland. Black Jack Campground sits at the highest elevation on Catalina Island, providing a remote tent camping experience along the Trans-Catalina Trail, while Hermit Gulch Campground offers a more accessible option just outside Avalon. Falcon Group Campground on the mainland provides a budget-friendly alternative with basic amenities for tent campers seeking locations closer to San Juan Capistrano.
Most tent campgrounds in the region have limited amenities but provide essential facilities for primitive camping experiences. Black Jack Campground features picnic tables, fire pits, vault toilets, and potable water, though the outdoor shower has cold water only. Sites at Hermit Gulch include more developed facilities with showers that require quarters ($1 for 4 minutes). A camper noted that "wildlife frequently visits the campground," with deer, quail, and the Catalina fox commonly seen around tent sites. Food storage boxes are provided at both island campgrounds to protect supplies from wildlife, particularly the bold raccoons and foxes that have been known to investigate unattended gear.
The tent camping experience varies significantly between mainland and island locations. Catalina's Black Jack Campground offers serene, secluded tent sites with thick fog that "soaks everything overnight," requiring careful gear storage. Walk-in tent sites at Hermit Gulch provide varying degrees of shade, with sites further from the main road offering more privacy and less noise from passing golf carts. One reviewer advised that "Site 29 is much larger than other sites" and offers better separation from neighboring campsites. Mainland tent campgrounds like Falcon Group provide more basic accommodations with bolted toilets and water spouts, though summer temperatures can be considerably higher than on the island. Most tent campsites require advance reservations, particularly during peak summer months when ferry transportation to Catalina Island may have limited availability.
