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.
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“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.”
Plan your Catalina Island Conservancy trip here, then get your permit from the agency.
Plan your trip
Book the Trans-Catalina Trail one campground a night: the Catalina Island Company's booking page puts each night's campground in one cart. We check all five: Hermit Gulch, Blackjack, Little Harbor, Two Harbors and Parsons Landing. Set an alert on the nights you need, then book each one on their camping page.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we alert on.
Avalon
Starting point. Harbor town with ferry terminal, restaurants, and last full services.
As of September 2026, Trans-Catalina in Catalina Island Conservancy, California requires a permit issued via reservation. Trans-Catalina is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. The Trans-Catalina route covers 38.5 miles, rated strenuous.
Sign up at VisitCatalinaIsland.com if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.
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More on Trans-Catalina: Live availability activityWhen Trans-Catalina permits open upTrans-Catalina Trail permit itineraryDo I need a Trans-Catalina Trail permit?Agency and concessionaire portals permit cancellations
Trans-Catalina permit fee: $30-45/night per campground.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Trailhead information
Starting point for most TCT hikers. Accessible via Catalina Express or Catalina Flyer ferries.
Leave your car on the mainland. Ferry terminals in San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point have parking.
Take Catalina Express from San Pedro (1 hour) or Long Beach (1 hour), or Catalina Flyer from Dana Point (1.25 hours).
Avalon has restaurants, gear shops, groceries, and camping supplies.
Trailhead information
Western village with ferry service. Common exit point or resupply stop.
N/A: accessible by ferry from San Pedro only.
Take Catalina Express from San Pedro to Two Harbors directly, or take shore boat from Avalon.
Small general store, restaurant, and camping supplies.
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.
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Sunset from Little Harbor Beach is spectacular: the sun drops into the Pacific directly west. Two Harbors isthmus at sunrise shows both harbors simultaneously.
Late afternoon light illuminates the mainland skyline from the ridgeline sections. Bison are most active in early morning and late afternoon.
Weekdays in spring and fall are quietest. Little Harbor fills quickly on weekends. Arrive early to claim a good spot.
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Trans-Catalina.
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Trans-Catalina · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Trans-Catalina is issued directly by the agency. Book the Trans-Catalina Trail one campground a night: the Catalina Island Company's booking page puts each night's campground in one cart. We check all five: Hermit Gulch, Blackjack, Little Harbor, Two Harbors and Parsons Landing. Set an alert on the nights you need, then book each one on their camping page. Bring backup dates and check their page for the current process.
Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.
This permit has a demand score of 8/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and reading the official permit page for how this one is issued.
The agency awards this permit directly. Bring backup dates and check the official page for the current process and any closures.
No active conditions reported
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Hike from Avalon to Two Harbors (26 miles) and take the ferry back, skipping the remote Parsons Landing section.
Shorter commitment, easier logistics, but misses the most primitive camping experience.
Day hike or overnight to Little Harbor from either Avalon or Two Harbors.
Access to the trail's most scenic beach camp without the full traverse commitment.
Backpacking on Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, or San Miguel Islands in the national park.
More remote and wild, but requires boat reservations through Island Packers and is less accessible.
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