Route guide · Catalina Island, California

Trans-Catalina Trail

38 miles across an island of bison, cactus and empty coves, from Avalon to Two Harbors via Little Harbor and Parsons Landing. It's steep, shadeless ridge walking between beach campgrounds with drinking water and even firewood lockers — backpacking with a ferry ride at both ends, best hiked outside high summer.

Length: 37.9 mi
Duration: 3–4 days
Gain: +9,480 ft
Season: Oct – May

point-to-pointhigh point 1,768 ftstrenuous — steep, rugged climbsspotty cell — carry offline mapsdogs on leash; some camp limits

Plan this trip — it’s free See the day-by-day

permit required · we track who booked what · the whole crew on one page

12 campsites

Expand map ↓

Permit required — Camping reservations at each campground (Catalina Island Conservancy / Visit Catalina) stand in for a permit — book camps first, then the ferry. Official info

The shape of the trail

Route profile · camps

campelevation

Day by day

A reference itinerary, from real camps

Camps below are mapped campsites spaced to balance the daily miles — the same planner that builds a Trailmix trip. Your dates, pace and direction reshape it live.

Total37.9 mi · 3 nights

Days on trail

Day 1 · 10.7 mi · +3,330 ft · hardest
Trailhead → 1
The classic first day is a long, strenuous climb from Avalon to Blackjack, the highest-elevation campground on the trail, set among pines.
water at camp
passes 25 (1.5 mi) · Laura Stein Volunteer Camp (5.6 mi)
Day 2 · 7.9 mi · +1,080 ft
1 → 14b
Leaving the high-altitude Blackjack camp, this leg is a scenic and mostly downhill journey with a stop at the Airport in the Sky restaurant possible before reaching Little Harbor.
restaurant stop option
passes Black Jack Volunteer Camp (10.9 mi)
Day 3 · 12 mi · +3,680 ft
14b → 8
A strenuous day of steep ascents and descents connects Little Harbor to the remote beach camp at Parsons Landing, rewarded with dramatic coastal views.
no water at destination
passes 2 (18.8 mi) · 32 (23.9 mi) · 43 (24.0 mi)
Day 4 · 7.4 mi · +1,360 ft
8 → Exit trailhead
The final leg of the TCT follows a flatter coastal road from the primitive beach sites at Parsons Landing to the trail's northern end at Starlight Beach.
gentle final miles
passes 6 (30.7 mi) · Camp Cherry Valley (36.5 mi)

Conditions at the trailhead

Catalina Island, California · updated daily

SAT 08·22

86° / 68°

cloud · 0%

SUN 08·23

88° / 68°

cloud · 1%

MON 08·24

76° / 68°

part sun · 1%

TUE 08·25

76° / 74°

clear · 0%

WED 08·26

75° / 73°

clear · 0%

SUN EXPOSURE — Most of the trail is unshaded and fully exposed to the sun; plan to hike early in the day and carry adequate sun protection.

BISON ENCOUNTERS — You are likely to encounter American bison. Give them a wide berth and never attempt to approach them; they may cause trail delays.

Know before you go

catalinaconservancy.org · mroverhill.com · freshoffthegrid.com · backhackerbabe.com

Advisory

Due to the unpaved nature of many routes, roads and trails may be subject to closure without advance notice during and after rain. Catalina Island Conservancy · current

All advisories →

Best months

share of dry days · Open-Meteo Archive (ERA5), 10-year normals at the trailhead

TRAILHEAD

The trail starts in Avalon; a free hiking permit from the Catalina Island Conservancy is required, which is typically fulfilled by your campground reservations.

Catalina Island Conservancy

WATER

Potable water is available at Blackjack, Little Harbor, and Two Harbors campgrounds, but not at the remote Parsons Landing.

Catalina Island Conservancy

WATER CACHE

For nights at Parsons Landing, you must pre-order and pay for gallons of water to be delivered to a storage locker.

Catalina Island Conservancy

CAMPING FEE

Camping fees are charged per person, per night, and reservations for all desired campgrounds must be made in advance.

Catalina Island Conservancy

GETTING THERE & BACK

The island is reached by ferry; book a ticket into Avalon and out of Two Harbors, as the return ferry only serves San Pedro from there.

Catalina Express

WILDLIFE

American bison, introduced to the island, are a common sight; always maintain a safe distance and be prepared to wait for them to move off the trail.

Asked around the fire (about this trail)

Do I need a permit for the Trans-Catalina Trail?

Yes. Camping reservations at each campground (Catalina Island Conservancy / Visit Catalina) stand in for a permit — book camps first, then the ferry.

How many days does the Trans-Catalina Trail take?

Most groups take 3–4 days. The reference itinerary here plans 3 nights, camp to camp.

When is the best time to hike the Trans-Catalina Trail?

October – May. Outside that window expect snow, storm damage or closures to change the plan.

Is it an easy walk on the beach?

No, the trail is rated as strenuous, with nearly 9,000 feet of total elevation change across steep, rugged, and exposed terrain away from the coast.

Do I have to carry all my water?

No. Potable water is available at Blackjack, Little Harbor, and Two Harbors. However, you must pre-order and pay for a water drop to be left in a locker at Parsons Landing.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, dogs are allowed on leash. However, they are prohibited from Hermit Gulch and Two Harbors campgrounds, which complicates planning a thru-hike.

Get the Trans-Catalina Trail in the bag.

Dates, camps, gear split, meals and the crew — planned together on one page instead of forty threads.

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