The Trans-Catalina Trail winding along a ridge on Catalina Island above the Pacific

Trans-Catalina Trail Itinerary: 5 Days, Permit and Camps

38.5 miles (62 km) across Catalina Island, four nights in camp, and bison on the trail.

38.5 mi · 5 days · Moderate
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Photo: Natecation, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Trans-Catalina Trail runs 38.5 miles (62 km) from Avalon to Two Harbors by way of Parsons Landing, across the dry ridges, canyons and coast of Catalina Island. The Catalina Island Conservancy looks after the trail and the camps. It is a backpacking trip with a ferry at each end, and most of it is on dirt roads and single track in open country with little shade.

Plan around the camps, not the miles. The Conservancy lists a 3, 4 and 5 day split. This page follows the 5 day version, which is the easiest on the legs and ends with a night at the beach at Parsons Landing. The 4 day version skips the night at Two Harbors and walks 11.5 miles (18.5 km) from Little Harbor to Parsons Landing. The 3 day version has a 13 mile (21 km) second day.

The decision that matters is the booking. A hiking permit is free and required for everyone, but the Conservancy advises booking the camps as early as possible, ideally in January. If they are full on your dates, it suggests walking the route in reverse. The daily distances here come from the Conservancy's mileposts: 10.7 miles (17.2 km), 8.2 (13.2 km), 5.3 (8.5 km), 6.6 (10.6 km) and 7.7 (12.4 km), 38.5 miles (61.9 km) in all. Its itinerary table rounds the days to 11, 8, 5, 6.5 and 6.5, which add up to only 37 miles (59.5 km); the mileposts put Parsons Landing at mile 30.8 and the end at 38.5, so the last day is about 7.7 miles (12.4 km), not the 6.5 in the table. The line on the map is built from OpenStreetMap trails and roads, so expect small differences from your watch.

The Route on the Map

Each day in its own color, with the start and every night's stop numbered along the way.

Loading map...

Elevation Profile

Highest 1,750 ft (532 m) · lowest 10 ft (3 m)

1,750 ft10 ft1234
0 mi38.5 mi (61.9 km)

Route line: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), simplified. Elevations: USGS 3D Elevation Program (public domain).

Day by Day

5 legs and 4 nights on the way, each in a different place.

  1. Day 1

    Day 1: Avalon up to Black Jack

    AvalontoBlack Jack Campground

    Distance
    10.7 mi 17.2 km
    Up
    2,890 ft 880 m
    Down
    1,400 ft 426 m

    Climb computed from USGS 3D Elevation Program (public domain), not an official figure.

    The first day is the longest and starts with the climb out of town. The Conservancy puts a sun shelter and bathroom at the top of the Hermit Gulch Trail, near mile 3 (4.8 km). Haypress Reservoir at mile 5.6 (9 km) is the first water after Avalon, with bathrooms and a picnic area. Black Jack sits at mile 10.7 (17.2 km), and the Airport in the Sky is about 2 miles (3.3 km) beyond it on day two.

    Black Jack has eleven sites among pine and eucalyptus at about 1,600 feet (488 m), and no fires are allowed. Nights can drop to 40 F (4 C). The Conservancy lists a bathroom and water stations at the camp.

    Sleep
    Black Jack Campground · Campground · How to book
    Water
    Stations at Haypress Reservoir (mile 5.6) and at Black Jack camp, which also has an outdoor shower; none listed on the climb before HaypressReported Nov 2026, verify before you go
    Signal
    Limited or none on much of the trailReported Nov 2026, verify before you go
  2. A dirt road and trail wind down toward the Little Harbor campground beside the Pacific, with prickly pear cactus in the foreground
    Day 2

    Day 2: Black Jack to Little Harbor

    Black Jack CampgroundtoLittle Harbor Campground

    Distance
    8.2 mi 13.2 km
    Up
    710 ft 216 m
    Down
    2,170 ft 660 m

    Climb computed from USGS 3D Elevation Program (public domain), not an official figure.

    About 2 miles (3.3 km) from camp is the Airport in the Sky, where the Conservancy lists food for sale (the restaurant serves breakfast and lunch daily), water and bathrooms. The rest of the day drops toward the Pacific side, with a sun shelter at mile 18.9, between the airport and Little Harbor.

    Little Harbor is a sandy beachfront camp. Fires are allowed here. The Conservancy lists bathrooms and a water station as accessible at Little Harbor.

    Sleep
    Little Harbor Campground · Campground · How to book
    Water
    Station and food at the Airport in the Sky (mile 12.75); a sun shelter at mile 18.9; bathrooms and a water station reported at Little HarborReported Nov 2026, verify before you go
    Signal
    Limited or noneReported Nov 2026, verify before you go

    Photo: Chris Hunkeler from Carlsbad, California, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0

  3. Day 3

    Day 3: Little Harbor to Two Harbors

    Little Harbor CampgroundtoTwo Harbors Campground

    Distance
    5.3 mi 8.5 km
    Up
    1,600 ft 489 m
    Down
    1,520 ft 464 m

    Climb computed from USGS 3D Elevation Program (public domain), not an official figure.

    The short day gives you time in town. Two Harbors has the next bathroom and water station, coin operated showers, and the campground has cold water showers and portable toilets. Fires are allowed at the camp. Some hikers use the Two Harbors lockers to store food for the next night.

    This is also the town where you refill every bottle: the next stretch has no water station.

    Sleep
    Two Harbors Campground · Campground · How to book
    Water
    The next bathroom and water station are in Two Harbors (mile 24.2)Reported Nov 2026, verify before you go
    Signal
    Better near Two Harbors, limited elsewhereReported Nov 2026, verify before you go
  4. A man stands beside a tent on the pebble beach at Parsons Landing, with a tall rock and the Pacific behind
    Day 4

    Day 4: Two Harbors out to Parsons Landing

    Two Harbors CampgroundtoParsons Landing

    Distance
    6.6 mi 10.6 km
    Up
    1,650 ft 503 m
    Down
    1,720 ft 523 m

    Climb computed from USGS 3D Elevation Program (public domain), not an official figure.

    The mileposts give 6.6 miles (10.6 km) for this day and list no water station, so carry everything you need from Two Harbors.

    Parsons Landing has eight primitive beach sites for up to eight people each. There is a pit toilet and no shade structures or running water. Each locker holds firewood and water, 2 gallons (7.6 L) on one Conservancy page and 2.5 (9.5 L) on another. The Conservancy sells the key package for $20 at the Visitors Services office in Two Harbors, so buy it before you head out, and firewood is $14 a bundle. A 16 ounce propane canister at $16 can be delivered to your site. Fires are allowed.

    Sleep
    Parsons Landing · Campground · How to book
    Water
    None between Two Harbors and Parsons Landing; no running water at the camp, only the lockers you buy a key forReported Nov 2026, verify before you go
    Signal
    Limited or noneReported Nov 2026, verify before you go

    Photo: Chris Hunkeler from Carlsbad, California, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0

  5. Day 5

    Day 5: Parsons Landing back to Two Harbors

    Parsons LandingtoTwo Harbors

    Distance
    7.7 mi 12.4 km
    Up
    1,840 ft 560 m
    Down
    1,840 ft 562 m

    Climb computed from USGS 3D Elevation Program (public domain), not an official figure.

    The last day returns to Two Harbors for the boat. Plan on about 7.7 miles (12.4 km) by the mileposts, with Lion Head at mile 35.6. Leave extra time before your boat, because the ferry from Two Harbors only returns to San Pedro.

    Water
    A bathroom and shade structure at Lion Head (mile 35.6); water again in Two HarborsReported Nov 2026, verify before you go
    Signal
    Limited, better as you reach Two HarborsReported Nov 2026, verify before you go

Permits

A permit is required

A hiking permit is mandatory for every hiker and the Conservancy issues it free. It lets rangers contact you about wildfire, damaging wind or heavy rain, so give a phone number you will answer. You get it through the online form on the Conservancy trail page, and hiking permits are also handed out at the Trailhead Visitor Center, 708 Crescent Avenue in Avalon. The campsites are a separate booking: you pay per person per night, prices change with the season, and the Conservancy advises booking as early as possible, ideally in January.

The official permit page

Getting There and Back

How to reach the start of the Trans-Catalina Trail Itinerary, and how to get home from the end.

The start

Avalon, on the ferry from the mainland. The Conservancy asks you to reserve a boat ticket with Catalina Express or the Catalina Flyer, and the Trailhead Visitor Center at 708 Crescent Avenue is where the hiking permit is available in person. The Conservancy counts its mileage from Avalon and puts the top of the Hermit Gulch Trail near mile 3.

The end

Two Harbors. The Conservancy recommends San Pedro as your mainland port because the boat from Two Harbors only returns to San Pedro. If you came in through Long Beach, plan a taxi or rideshare back to your car afterward. From May to October the Cyclone boat also runs from Two Harbors to Avalon, which you reserve in advance, and the Conservancy calls the ground transport between the two towns expensive.

Shuttle

None on the trail. The Conservancy mentions Catalina Back Country, which offers a bag drop-off service for hikers who do not want to carry a pack between camps.

Parking

Park on the mainland at the ferry port you booked. Check the port page for overnight parking and fees on Catalina Express.

Safety

  • Bison: stay at least 125 feet (38 m) away at all times. The Conservancy says a bison can run 35 mph (56 km/h) and jump more than 6 feet (1.8 m). Never feed or touch one, never box one in with people in front and behind, and if one is on the trail, put a tree, rock or vehicle between you and it and wait for it to move.

  • Heat: shade is limited and summer heat raises the risk of dehydration and sunburn. The Conservancy advises hiking earlier in the day, and being able to carry 3 liters of water. Nights can drop to 40 F (4 C), especially at Black Jack, while daytime can reach the 70s F (low to mid 20s C).

  • Water: there are stations along the way, but none between Two Harbors and Parsons Landing, and Parsons Landing has no running water. Fill up in Two Harbors and read the water table on the Conservancy page before you go. Stations can be off, so carry margin.

  • Fire: no fires are allowed at Black Jack; fires are allowed at Little Harbor, Two Harbors and Parsons Landing. Fuel for stoves and fires is not allowed on the ferry, so buy camping fuel in Avalon or Two Harbors. In wildfire weather the permit is how rangers reach you, so keep your phone charged and read notices on the Conservancy site.

  • Hunting: the Conservancy's 2026 season runs from Oct. 24 to Dec. 18. Only island residents may hunt, but you may meet hunters, so stay on designated trails and roads. The Conservancy says hunting is not allowed from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise and that closures are announced on its website.

  • Snakes, ticks, poison oak: rattlesnakes are present year-round and more common April to October. Ticks live on the island and poison oak is common in canyons and creek beds, so stay on the trail and check yourself at night.

  • Signal and company: cell service is limited or missing on much of the trail, and the Conservancy suggests a satellite transmitter and hiking with a companion.

Trans-Catalina Trail Itinerary: FAQ

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

Yes. The Conservancy requires a free hiking permit for every hiker, which lets rangers contact you about wildfire, wind or heavy rain. The campsites are a separate paid booking, per person and per night.

How many days does the Trans-Catalina Trail take?

The Conservancy lists 3, 4 and 5 day versions. By the Conservancy's mileposts the 5 day split is 10.7 miles (17.2 km), then 8.2 (13.2 km), 5.3 (8.5 km), 6.6 (10.6 km) and 7.7 (12.4 km), and the 3 day version is rated very challenging.

Where do you get water on the Trans-Catalina Trail?

The Conservancy lists stations at Haypress Reservoir, Black Jack, the Airport in the Sky, Little Harbor and Two Harbors. There is none between Two Harbors and Parsons Landing, and Parsons Landing has only locker water you buy a key for. Stations can be off, so carry margin.

Are there bison on the trail?

Yes. Stay at least 125 feet (38 m) away, never feed or approach them, and keep a tree, rock or vehicle between you and the animal if one is close.

Can you light a fire on the Trans-Catalina Trail?

Fires are allowed at Little Harbor, Two Harbors and Parsons Landing, and not at Black Jack. Stove fuel and firewood cannot travel on the ferry, so buy fuel in Avalon or Two Harbors.

How do you get back after the trail?

You finish in Two Harbors. The boat from there only returns to San Pedro, which is why the Conservancy prefers that port, and from May to October the Cyclone boat also runs to Avalon.

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