Parsons Landing Campground
Kate W.
Reviewed Aug. 9, 2019

If you can go, go!

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.

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  • Review photo of Parsons Landing Campground by Kate W., August 9, 2019
  • Review photo of Parsons Landing Campground by Kate W., August 9, 2019
  • Review photo of Parsons Landing Campground by Kate W., August 9, 2019
  • Review photo of Parsons Landing Campground by Kate W., August 9, 2019
  • Review photo of Parsons Landing Campground by Kate W., August 9, 2019
  • Review photo of Parsons Landing Campground by Kate W., August 9, 2019
  • Review photo of Parsons Landing Campground by Kate W., August 9, 2019
  • Review photo of Parsons Landing Campground by Kate W., August 9, 2019
  • Review photo of Parsons Landing Campground by Kate W., August 9, 2019
  • Review photo of Parsons Landing Campground by Kate W., August 9, 2019
  • Review photo of Parsons Landing Campground by Kate W., August 9, 2019
  • Review photo of Parsons Landing Campground by Kate W., August 9, 2019
  • Review photo of Parsons Landing Campground by Kate W., August 9, 2019