Parsons Landing Campground

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 &amp; hiking. The campground reservation comes with water and firewood, and there are port a potties in the middle of camp on the road. 

Waterfront accommodations

A ferry ride and 7 mile hike are worth it to get to this gorgeous beach. Don't forget your snorkel! The water is so clear and full of things to see. The campground is nice and small with just 8 sites. Site #1 is the most private. There are chemical toilets, trash cans and lockers. You pay for lockers before you arrive. Each locker has 2.5 gallons of water, a bundle of wood and a fire starter. Make sure you secure your food. The squirrels and birds are ridiculous. They'll chew right through your pack to get your stuff. If you have a bear canister I'd make sure to bring it. 

Takes some work to get here but definitely worth it

This is the final campgound on the Trans Catalina Trail and one of my favorites. Reservations are required and you'll need to purchase water and firewood in a locker since it is walk in only and trust me you won't want to try and carry it. Also be sure to utilize the bear boxes even though there aren't any bears. The birds there are relentless and will poke holes in everything including water jugs if you turn your back for even a second. They even know how to get into unlocked lockers. But the exploring and sunsets are hard to beat. Just be prepared for lots of wind and rocky ground.

Very Remote and SO worth it

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.  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.

If you can go, go!

One 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. 