ReservationThru-HikeHigh Demand

Trans-Catalina Trail Permit

A rugged 38.5-mile traverse across Santa Catalina Island—from the harbor town of Avalon to the remote western beaches, with wild bison, endemic foxes, and stunning Pacific views.

“Traverse an island wilderness 22 miles off the California coast, where American bison roam the hills and the Pacific stretches to the horizon in every direction.”

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Demand

High

8/10

Method

Reservation

Cost

$30-45/night per campground

Booking Method

First-Come, First-Served

Trans-Catalina Quick Facts

Permit RequiredYes

Booking MethodReservation

Demand LevelHigh8/10

Cost$30-45/night per campground

Max Group Size25 people

Key Information

Permit Details

TypeThru-Hike

Booking MethodReservation

Demand Level8/10

LocationCA

What to Expect

Route Details

Distance

38.5 miles

Elevation Gain

8,500 ft

Route Type

Point to Point

Duration

3-5 days

Difficulty

Strenuous

Highlights

•38.5 miles over 3-5 days with approximately 8,500 feet of elevation gain
•Five designated campgrounds (reservation required—serves as permit)
•Wildlife encounters: American bison, endemic Catalina Island foxes, and rattlesnakes
•Exposed terrain with minimal shade—carry ample water
•No running water at Parsons Landing—must reserve locker with water
•Ferry logistics to reach and exit the island

Best Time to Visit

Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer the best conditions. Summer can be extremely hot and dry. Winter is possible but may have rain and rough ferry crossings.

Hazards & Considerations

!Heat and sun exposure—trail is mostly shadeless
!Rattlesnakes—common throughout the island
!Bison—keep 25+ foot distance; they can be aggressive
!Steep terrain with loose footing on descents
!Limited escape routes—injury evacuation can be challenging

How to Get This Permit

Create a Recreation.gov account

Know the release schedule

Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.

Be ready when permits drop

Monitor for cancellations

If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.

Apply at Recreation.gov

When to Go

Peak: Summer monthsShoulder: Spring and Fall

Conditions

Summer offers the most reliable conditions for most wilderness areas.

Crowd Level

Moderate

Advantages

+Longest days
+Warmest temperatures
+Reliable trail conditions

Challenges

!Peak demand for permits
!Book accommodations early
!Weather varies

Difficulty Assessment

Physical Demand4/5

Fitness and endurance required

Technical Skill1/5

Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills

Exposure Risk2/5

Steep dropoffs and fall potential

Navigation1/5

Route finding and trail clarity

Commitment3/5

Difficulty of bailing out mid-route

Best For

Fit hikers comfortable with significant daily elevation change and exposed conditions. Good for those seeking a multi-day adventure accessible from Los Angeles.

Recommended Experience

Prior backpacking experience recommended. Should be comfortable hiking 10+ miles per day with a full pack.

Not Recommended For

Those uncomfortable with heat/sun exposure or who require reliable water sources.

About This Permit

The Trans-Catalina Trail (TCT) is a 38.5-mile thru-hike across Santa Catalina Island, approximately 22 miles off the coast of Southern California. Despite the island being only 22 miles long, the trail's winding path and significant elevation changes accumulate nearly 8,500 feet of climbing.

The trail passes through five designated campgrounds and is typically completed in 3-5 days. Dispersed camping is prohibited—you must stay in campgrounds, and reservations serve as your hiking permit.

The Experience

Why It Matters

Catalina Island has a fascinating history—used as a movie set, a military base, and a ranching operation where bison were introduced in the 1920s for a film shoot and never left. Today, the Catalina Island Conservancy protects 88% of the island as wilderness. The Trans-Catalina Trail offers a unique coastal backpacking experience just an hour's ferry ride from Los Angeles, combining dramatic ocean scenery with surprising wildlife encounters.

The Route

From Avalon, the trail climbs steeply out of town—1,500 feet of gain in the first few miles. The initial stretch to Black Jack campground follows ridgelines with panoramic Pacific views, passing through eucalyptus groves and chaparral.

Day two brings you to the 'Airport in the Sky'—an actual airport perched on a mesa at 1,602 feet, famous for its DC-3 Grill and legendary bison burgers. From here, the trail descends sharply to Little Harbor, a crescent beach on the island's wild backside.

The ridge traverse from Little Harbor to Two Harbors offers some of the trail's most dramatic scenery, with the narrow isthmus visible ahead. Two Harbors provides the last resupply before the final push.

The stretch to Parsons Landing is the trail's most challenging—a steep climb over 'Fenceline Road' followed by the descent to a primitive beach camp with no running water. Most hikers then follow the relatively flat West End Road back to Two Harbors to catch the ferry home.

The Feeling

The ferry drops you in Avalon, a charming harbor town with golf carts and ice cream shops. Within hours, you've climbed into an entirely different world—arid hillsides dotted with grazing bison, endemic Catalina foxes trotting along the trail, and views that stretch across the Pacific to the mainland's hazy skyline. At night, you camp on beaches lit only by stars and bioluminescent waves. By the time you reach Parsons Landing, you've crossed an island that feels far more remote than its proximity to Los Angeles would suggest.

Trailhead Information

Avalon Harbor

Primary

Starting point for most TCT hikers. Accessible via Catalina Express or Catalina Flyer ferries.

Restrooms

Water Available

Parking

Leave your car on the mainland. Ferry terminals in San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point have parking.

Getting There

Take Catalina Express from San Pedro (1 hour) or Long Beach (1 hour), or Catalina Flyer from Dana Point (1.25 hours).

Nearest Services

Avalon has restaurants, gear shops, groceries, and camping supplies.

Two Harbors

Alternate

Western village with ferry service. Common exit point or resupply stop.

Restrooms

Water Available

Weak Signal

Parking

N/A—accessible by ferry from San Pedro only.

Getting There

Take Catalina Express from San Pedro to Two Harbors directly, or take shore boat from Avalon.

Nearest Services

Small general store, restaurant, and camping supplies.

Rules & Regulations

•Campground reservations required (serve as hiking permit)
•Dispersed camping prohibited—must stay in designated campgrounds
•Dogs allowed on trail but prohibited at Hermit Gulch and Two Harbors campgrounds
•Campfires only allowed in provided fire pits
•Stay on designated trails—much of the island is private conservancy land
•Pack out all trash

Gear Checklist

Required

Minimum 3 liters water capacity (limited refill points)
Sun protection (exposed terrain with little shade)
Sturdy footwear for rocky, steep trail sections
Ferry ticket reservations (book well in advance for peak times)
Campground reservations (book January 1 for entire year)

Key Landmarks

↑

8,500ft

Gain

↓

8,500ft

Loss

⛰️

1,602ft

High

📏

38.5mi

Distance

📐

0.8%

Avg Grade

Click on a marker to view details•9 landmarks

Landmarks (9)

Safety & Planning

🚨

Emergency Info

Download the PermitSnag app for offline access to emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Trans-Catalina.

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🐻

Food Storage

Check bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations in the PermitSnag app.

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Trans-Catalina FAQ

How do I get a Trans-Catalina permit?

Trans-Catalina permits are obtained through a reservation system. Use PermitSnag to track availability and get notified when cancellations occur.

When is the best time to visit Trans-Catalina?

Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.

How competitive is the Trans-Catalina permit?

This permit has a demand score of 8/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.

What if I can't get a Trans-Catalina permit?

Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. We check availability every few minutes, 24/7.

Photography Guide

Golden Hour

Sunset from Little Harbor Beach is spectacular—the sun drops into the Pacific directly west. Two Harbors isthmus at sunrise shows both harbors simultaneously.

Best Light

Late afternoon light illuminates the mainland skyline from the ridgeline sections. Bison are most active in early morning and late afternoon.

Beat the Crowds

Weekdays in spring and fall are quietest. Little Harbor fills quickly on weekends—arrive early to claim a good spot.

Classic Shots

📍Bison herd with Pacific Ocean backdrop
📍Little Harbor crescent beach from the trail above
📍Two Harbors isthmus showing both harbors
📍Sunset at Parsons Landing
📍Catalina foxes along the trail
📍View of the mainland from Airport in the Sky

Can't Get a Trans-Catalina Permit?

Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.

Avalon to Two Harbors via Trans-Catalina

Easier Alternative

Hike from Avalon to Two Harbors (26 miles) and take the ferry back, skipping the remote Parsons Landing section.

Permit required

Tradeoffs

Shorter commitment, easier logistics, but misses the most primitive camping experience.

Little Harbor Out-and-Back

Easier Alternative

Day hike or overnight to Little Harbor from either Avalon or Two Harbors.

Permit required

Tradeoffs

Access to the trail's most scenic beach camp without the full traverse commitment.

Channel Islands National Park

Same Area

Backpacking on Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, or San Miguel Islands in the national park.

Permit required

Tradeoffs

More remote and wild, but requires boat reservations through Island Packers and is less accessible.

Other Catalina Permits

Consider these alternatives or add them to your tracking list

Reservation6/10

Hermit Gulch

Campground near Avalon....

Reservation6/10

Blackjack

Interior campground on Trans-Catalina Trail....

Reservation7/10

Little Harbor

Coastal campground....

Reservation6/10

Two Harbors

Campground at Two Harbors....

Reservation7/10

Parsons Landing

Remote western campground....