Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Two Harbors? With The Dyrt, it's easy to find Two Harbors campgrounds for you and your tent. From remote to easy-to-reach, these Two Harbors campsites are perfect for tent campers.
Hermit Gulch Campground is Avalon’s only camping facility located within city limits. The campground is situated in Avalon Canyon near the Nature Center and the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden.
The campground offers a nice view of the surrounding hills that are home to a wide variety of endemic plant and animal species. Hermit Gulch Trail is accessible from the campground, and there's access to other hiking trails nearby.
Hermit Gulch is great for first-timers and experienced campers alike. Being so close to town allows easy access to groceries, shopping, restaurants, tours, sight seeing and nightlife.
Now Open
Located in the cliffs and canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains, Topanga State Park features 36 miles of trails through open grassland, live oaks and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.
The park is located entirely within the Los Angeles city limits and is considered the world’s largest wildland within the boundaries of a major city. Excellent recreational opportunities for hikers as well as mountain bikers (restricted to fire roads) and equestrians.
The park is bound on the south by Pacific Palisades and Brentwood, on the west by Topanga Canyon, and on the east by Rustic Canyon. Numerous geologic formations can be found in the park, including earthquake faults, marine fossils, volcanic intrusions, and a wide variety of sedimentary formations.
$7 / night
Once visitors have scaled the rugged cliffs using the steep trail from the Landing Cove, they will be rewarded with a campground perched on the bluffs with magnificent coastal views. Santa Barbara lies much further south than the other four northern Channel Islands and is the smallest, measuring just one square mile. The islands' native vegetation is recovering slowly with the help of the National Park Service's restoration efforts. This recovery, along with the removal of nonnative predators, has aided in the reestablishment of nesting land birds and seabirds. The island is one of the most important seabird nesting sites within the Channel Islands, with 11 nesting species, including western gulls, California brown pelicans, three species of cormorants, three species of storm-petrels, and one of the world's largest colonies of Scripps's murrelets. The rocky shores of Santa Barbara Island also provide resting and breeding areas for California sea lions, harbor seals and northern elephant seals.
With five miles of hiking trails, ocean access nearby the campground and generally good weather, Santa Barbara Island offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, swimming, snorkeling, diving, kayaking and wildlife/wildflower viewing. Since Santa Barbara Island is a cliff island, access to the water is only at the Landing Cove via a dock. There are no other accessible beaches unless you have a watercraft. There are no services on the island, so all gear has to be brought to the island. For more information about recreational activities in the park, visit https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/index.htm.
Steep cliffs on this small island rise above rocky shores and give way to a grassy mesa flanked with twin peaks. The highest point, Signal Peak, is 635 feet in elevation.
The Landing Cove near the campground is an ideal place for swimming, diving, snorkeling and kayaking, but there are no lifeguards on the island. The island is also home to just over five miles of trails that meander over gentle slopes and low mountain tops to dramatic overlooks and magnificent coastal views. All hikers must stay on the trails for visitor safety and to protect fragile vegetation and nesting seabirds. No off-trail hiking is allowed. Portions of trails are subject to closure when pelicans are nesting from January through August.
$15 / night
$100 / night
Ranger
The hike from Two Harbors is fairly flat and along a road so it's easy. We stayed two nights in June and it was great. The weather was warm but mostly overcast so perfect for camping & hiking. The campground reservation comes with water and firewood, and there are port a potties in the middle of camp on the road.
Scout
Have camped at new port dunes several times, they have a beach front for group tent camping on the sand, and also have tent camping in the resort. You can camp with RV's, Trailers, tents, and they also rent out cabins. In the middle of the lagoon they have blow up obstacle in the water to climb on.. great place to relax. It's pretty pricey because it's a resort but well worth the trip.
Scout
The Dyrt shows "Tent" sites, but it's only for RVs
Traveler
Very well maintained campground with RV and tent sites. It’s right on the PCH so you get some great views of the pacific and the beach is just across the highway. It’s a bit noisy since the PCH is a heavily traveled highway and isn’t very remote, if that’s what you’re looking for. Great campground for families.
Legend
Between the camping at little harbor and the cabins in two harbors Catalina Island is a great getaway only a short boat ride away! There's a general store in two harbors if you forget anything!
Scout
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! :)
Guide
We visited Two Harbors in late April and stayed in the campground for 1 night. The views from our site were stunning. Stargazing was prime as well since there are virtually no lights in Two Harbors. The facilities include temporary toilets, running water, and showers .25 miles away back in to town. The campground offered easy access to the beach and delivered fire wood and water for a reasonable fee.
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.
LegendIf you’re ever in a position to go camping in Catalina - DO IT!!! Two Harbors has stunning views, a great hiking trail, and easy access to showers, bathrooms, a small grocery, and a restaurant- get a Buffalo Milk at the bar, you won’t be disappointed.
RangerWe camped at two harbors in May of 2015 and had a lot of fun. We took the ferry to two harbors and walked up all of our gear to the site. It is a bit of a walk if you aren't packed correctly (we brought a cooler and it was a bit rough getting it up there).
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 (seriously on a few feet away). They didn't both anyone and were really cool to watch.
The price is steep especially counting in the ferry, but it was a lot of fun and I'd do it again.
The bar near the harbor was a nice plus as well. Getting a beer after kayaking during a camping trip was fun.
GuideOne of the most beautiful campsites I've been to.
Easiest way to get there is via Two Harbors then either hike into the site or hire a shuttle for a ride. No onsite store, so you'll need to pack in everything you need.
If arriving by boat - There is a anchorage in little harbor but it can be tricky if not set correctly. Make sure you set a bow and stern to prevent swinging into the rocks. Consult the local chart for soundings and beta for anchor line length.
Firepit - fire wood available for delivery just check with ranger, Outdoor Shower and bathroom.
LegendWe loved our stay here for a birthday trip! 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.
Easy walk down to the "town" of Two Harbors for a Buffalo Milk drink or across the island for views on the South Side of the Island. This is a great place to stay for the microbrew fest every year on the island.
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 can only stay a total of 10 days and will need a camping permit to do so. You also need to have a boat ticket to take the ferry over and back. Book early if you can, especially during the Summer. You can also rent gear for the trip too if you are traveling to the island without gear. Pricing is on the website.
GuideOne of the most amazing campgrounds I’ve ever stayed at. You’re on a sandy beach with waves crashing on the shore. There’s only a handful of sites, so try to book this early. 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. No water on site, you must bring your own. Water, firewood, and fire starter are available for purchase. You can buy them at two harbors, which is where they will give you a key for a locker that is at parsons landing which will have all those items. I believe it’s 2 gallons of water.
GuideSet 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. This side of the island features 1 large building that is their general store, bar, and restaurant, and that's it. It's quiet, peaceful, fun, has hiking trails everywhere, and you are almost guaranteed to see buffalo. The campground can get windy, so bring warm close and you have to carry it all in (well- on and off the boat, and if you want to wait they have a small shuttle to the campground although it's only about .5 mile walk). 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.
LegendParson's Landing is a super unique campground. I would say it's the only TRUE beach camping I've ever been able to find. You have to coordinate the ferry to Two Harbors on Catalina Island and then hike about 8 miles to the far end of the island. It's not a bad hike, just long and around the perimeter. You can plan ahead to have a bundle of wood and a gallon of water waiting for you in a locker. The campground is a secluded beach with a rock wall on one end. Site 1 is tucked around next to the wall - very cool! Site 2 is great too but a little more exposed. After that the other sites are basically spots spread out on the beach and designated by a picnic table. The beach in narrowish and rock - a lot of the sites have rock walls built up to protect the fire pit from wind. Unfortunately a dead seal had washed up on shore near site 1 and when some people tried to push it back into the ocean it released the most horrid smell ever. There's hiking around that end of the island but beware that it is extremely steep in some areas! We only did a couple miles and going down the trial/roads were scarier than going up. Also, almost stepped on a rattlesnake. I promise you though that this is a special place and a trip you will never forget! Just be prepared to rough it.
Traveler
It’s pretty crazy to be camping among the million dollar homes but thankful we can. It’s a beautifully maintained spot on the cliff overlooking the ocean. So much nicer than many of the Southern California beach spots in that there is a bit more space and it's much nicer than a parking lot. Plus the fantastic benefit of miles of hiking trails right from the back of the campground and the ocean and beach right in front. Something for all. And if you want to go have a posh meal or shopping that’s just a minute away too.
Be sure to go take a look at the Crystal Cove cottages while here, it’s a pretty special spot. Try and hit up the Shake Shack too!
Only downside is not being able to have a fire but we just used our propane portable fire pit. Spots in the back have hookups and spots in the front are tent. The tent spots are a bit nicer and would fit small trailers.
Scout
I've camped here a few times, in both normal and premium spots. If you are in an rv, you will be fine. As a tent camper, the spots are tiny, with zero privacy, and room for one large tent, or squeezing in two medium tents. The last time I was here, I was boxed in by RVs, with one running his generator all day and past the allowed 8:00 p.m. time limit. The saving grace is that the ocean, though not visible unless you get a premium spot, is a one minute walk away.
Nice, clean bathrooms with flush toilets, showers, and plentiful water spigots.
If you just need a place to crash and plan to spend the whole day in the water, go for it. Otherwise, head a little further south and check out San Onofre. Or, spend a little extra and grab a premium spot--closer to the ocean, and only two neighbors.
The train is loud, but passes seldom.
TravelerExcellent beach camping and tent friendly. plenty of shade and nearby restaurants and shops. Definitely recommend this location.
GuideI 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. You can hike back in town which is about 1/4 miles away from the site. This campground is easy access to the beach and well maintained by the staffs. The staffs can deliver fire wood, propane/fuel, water for a fair price.
Traveler
No tents but trailers and RV’s are welcome. Imagine camping at the beach with all the amenities and close to everything you’d want to do in SoCal. There are stores and restaurants nearby for those forgotten items or a quick meal. Super Mex has excellent Mexican food and a few storefronts down you’ll find sushi.
TravelerWe camped over New Years and it rained and really only RVs showed up (we crashed at a friend’s house one night and put up our tent the next when it dried out a bit). There was little protection. Location is great to walk along the beach.
TravelerMy favorite RV resort. Located in the back bay of Newport Harbor ND has it all. This place is super clean and super accomodating. They have cottages for rent if needed and you can have up to 1 tent on an RV spot. Bike trails for the kids and Balboa Island is just right down the way. Expensive but well worth it.
Ranger
Was a great time.. Who does NOT like Malibu. We had an Environmental campsites they are located in relatively undisturbed natural settings. Each site has a table, a clearing for your tent, and a primitive toilet nearby. Environmental campsite fees and hike-in distances vary. It was peaceful and clean I love the warm days and cool evenings.
GuideMuch like most California Beach Campgrounds, it is very crowded with little privacy. The beach is great but it is basically a glorified parking lot
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.
TravelerLuckily 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.
LegendCrystal Cove State Beach campground is located within a 10min walk to the beach. Unfortunately you have to go under the busy/noisy Pacific Coast Highway to get there. There's a great historic area that's worth checking out. There are a variety of campsite throughout the park from RV to tent; all of them have great views. There's also an abundance of hiking trails.
I only gave it 4 stars due to cost and the noise from PCH
Cell Coverage: Excellent
Cost: $55 - $75
Tent camping near Two Harbors, California, offers a unique blend of stunning views, outdoor activities, and a chance to connect with nature. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several well-reviewed options to consider.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Two Harbors, CA is Two Harbors Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 11 reviews.
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