Trans-Catalina Trail: 3-Day Itinerary, Campsite Booking & Water
Catalina Island is 22 miles off the Southern California coast, and the Trans-Catalina Trail crosses nearly all of it: golden hills, wild bison (yes, actual bison, descendants of a 1920s film shoot), and long stretches with ocean views on both sides. It’s an unusual backpacking trip because the logistics are closer to an island vacation than a wilderness permit lottery, and that’s exactly why people underestimate it.
The Catalina Island Conservancy lists the trail at 38.5 miles from Avalon to Two Harbors, with roughly 6,000 feet of combined elevation gain and loss over the route (Catalina Island Conservancy). Ridgefold’s own measurement comes in close, at 38.1 miles with 9,249 feet of gain, the difference reflecting how each source counts the small rolling climbs along the coastal sections.
Quick facts
| Distance | 38.1–38.5 mi, Avalon to Two Harbors |
| Days | 3–5 typical, this itinerary uses 3 |
| Elevation gain | ~9,200 ft (rolling coastal terrain, not one big climb) |
| Hiking permit | Free, required from the Catalina Island Conservancy |
| Campground reservations | Paid, required in advance for each campground you stay at |
| Water | Limited; plan around confirmed sources, not assumptions |
The 3-day itinerary
This is the Conservancy’s own 3-day, 2-night itinerary, the more aggressive of the common options; the Conservancy notes most hikers take 3 to 5 days depending on fitness and pace (Catalina Island Conservancy).
| Day | Route | Miles | Camp | Water | Booking note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avalon (Hermit Gulch) → Black Jack | ~11 mi | Black Jack | Camp water available; carry extra for the climb | Book Black Jack in advance through the island’s reservation system |
| 2 | Black Jack → Two Harbors | ~13 mi | Two Harbors | Two Harbors has services | Two Harbors requires a confirmed campground reservation |
| 3 | Two Harbors → Parsons Landing → Two Harbors (out-and-back) | ~14 mi | Two Harbors (exit) | Parsons Landing has water; confirm current status | No separate reservation needed if you’re not camping at Parsons |
Day 2 is the longest and hardest day on this itinerary, skipping the shorter Little Harbor stop that the more relaxed 5-day version uses, and Day 3 turns the Parsons Landing detour into a there-and-back day hike from Two Harbors rather than a separate overnight. If you’d rather spread the trip out and camp at Little Harbor and Parsons Landing directly instead of day-tripping to them, the Conservancy’s 5-day itinerary (Avalon → Black Jack → Little Harbor → Two Harbors → Parsons Landing → Two Harbors) is the more comfortable version of the same route.
How the permit and campground booking work
These are two separate things, and mixing them up is the most common planning mistake on this trail.
The hiking permit is free and required for everyone on the trail. It’s issued by the Catalina Island Conservancy and doesn’t control access to specific campsites; it’s a general permit to be on Conservancy land (Catalina Island Conservancy).
Campground reservations are a separate, paid booking, required for each night you camp. Catalina’s campgrounds (Hermit Gulch, Black Jack, Little Harbor, Two Harbors, and Parsons Landing) are booked through the island’s online reservation system, run on the Firefly platform; confirm current fees and availability directly there before you plan around a specific price. These aren’t a lottery, first-come reservations rather than a random draw, but popular dates in summer can still sell out, especially at Little Harbor.
Book your campgrounds before you book your ferry. It’s a much smaller headache to move a ferry reservation than to show up on the island with no confirmed camping.
Getting there and around
Catalina Island is reached by ferry, typically from Long Beach, San Pedro, or Dana Point, with Avalon as the main port town where the trail begins. There’s no need for a car-spotting shuttle here the way there is on a mainland point-to-point trail: the trail runs between two towns (Avalon and Two Harbors) that both have ferry service, so you can start in one and depart from the other without ever needing your own vehicle on the island.
Water along the route
Water is more limited on Catalina than it might look on a map. Most established campgrounds have water available, but conditions vary seasonally and by drought year, and there’s little reliable natural water between camps on the exposed ridgeline sections. Carry more than you think you’ll need for the climbing days, and confirm current water status at each campground before you depend on it rather than assuming last year’s conditions still hold.
Best time to go
Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons: summer can be hot and dry on the exposed ridges, especially on the Avalon-to-Black Jack climb, and winter brings the wettest weather and shorter days. Whatever season, the coastal exposure means sun protection matters more here than on a shaded Sierra trail.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need two separate reservations, one for hiking and one for camping?
Yes. The hiking permit is free and covers being on the trail; each campground you stay at needs its own paid reservation, booked separately through the island’s camping reservation system.
Will I actually see bison on the Trans-Catalina Trail?
It’s common, especially in the interior sections between Avalon and Little Harbor. They’re the descendants of animals brought to the island in the 1920s for a film shoot and never removed; keep a respectful distance, as they’re still wild and can be unpredictable.
How many days should I plan for the Trans-Catalina Trail?
Three days is achievable for a fit hiker, but the middle day is long (around 13 miles). The Conservancy’s 5-day itinerary spreads the same route more comfortably, adding overnight stops at Little Harbor and Parsons Landing instead of day-tripping to them. The Conservancy itself notes most hikers take 3 to 5 days.
Can I resupply along the trail?
Somewhat. The Airport in the Sky, a couple of miles past Black Jack, has a café with food and drinks, and Two Harbors has a general store. It’s not a full grocery resupply, but it’s more support than most backcountry trails offer.
Ridgefold has the Trans-Catalina Trail pre-loaded with the real route and elevation profile, so you can move camps around your booking dates and see how each day’s climb changes. See the full trail page for the elevation chart first.