Trans-Catalina Trail

The Trans-Catalina Trail is a 38.5-mile (62 km) point-to-point trail on Santa Catalina Island, California, gaining 9,600 ft (2,900 m) of elevation over 3–4 days. Rated moderate to strenuous, it is one of the most distinctive backpacking routes in the United States — a rugged island crossing through chaparral, exposed ridgelines, and remote Pacific coves, all within sight of the Los Angeles coast.

About the Trans-Catalina Trail

The Trans-Catalina Trail (TCT) traverses the full length of Santa Catalina Island, a mountainous island 22 miles (35 km) off the coast of Los Angeles in the Pacific Ocean. Managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy, the trail stretches 38.5 miles (62 km) from the tourist town of Avalon on the eastern tip to the wild, road-inaccessible cove of Parsons Landing on the west. Along the way it traces exposed ridgelines rising to 1,775 ft (541 m), drops to sheltered beaches, and threads through dry interior valleys that have changed little since the island's ranching era.

What makes the TCT genuinely unlike any other trail in the continental United States is Catalina's ecological character. Free-roaming American bison — descendants of a herd brought to the island for a 1924 Hollywood film and never retrieved — graze the interior grasslands between Black Jack and Two Harbors. Island foxes, far smaller than their mainland counterparts, are a common sighting near camp. Golden eagles, island scrub-jays, and California brown pelicans share the airspace above ridges where the Pacific is almost always visible. The trail passes through a Catalina Island Conservancy bioreserve protecting over 60 endemic plant species, including the Catalina mahogany and island ironwood.

The trail is open year-round and accommodates backpackers, day hikers on the shorter eastern sections, and trail runners. At 38.5 miles with 9,600 ft (2,900 m) of total elevation gain, most hikers complete it in 3 to 5 days, camping overnight at five established campgrounds, and finishing with a ferry ride back to the Southern California mainland.

Route Overview & Stages

The TCT runs west-northwest from Avalon, climbing steeply from sea level to the island's central ridge, then alternating between inland valleys and coastal descents before reaching the western shore at Parsons Landing. The four-day breakdown below is the most commonly used itinerary; strong hikers sometimes compress stages 3 and 4 into a single day to finish in three.

Stage 1 is by far the hardest day: 15 miles (24.1 km) and nearly 3,900 ft (1,189 m) of climbing from Avalon's waterfront to the ridge above. Most hikers catch a morning ferry, dock by 9 a.m., and start immediately to avoid hiking in peak afternoon heat on the shadeless initial ascent. An intermediate option — stopping at Hermit Gulch Campground, about 1 mile from the Avalon trailhead — shortens Day 1 but adds a day to the overall itinerary. Stage 4 involves substantial climbing of 3,100 ft; upon reaching Parsons Landing, most hikers take a pre-arranged water taxi or hike the 3.5 miles back to Two Harbors for the ferry to the mainland.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Garden — About 1.7 miles from Avalon's trailhead, this landmark honors William Wrigley Jr., who purchased Catalina Island in 1919. The 37-acre garden showcases plants found nowhere else on Earth, including the Catalina mahogany and island ironwood, and makes for an atmospheric early-morning start.
• Black Jack Campground — Perched at approximately 1,600 ft (488 m), Black Jack is the highest campground on the island. On clear mornings, views sweep across the Catalina Channel to the Los Angeles Basin skyline, making the brutal first-day climb feel completely justified.
• Airport in the Sky (Catalina Airport) — A small general-aviation airport at 1,600 ft in the island's interior. The on-site DC-3 Grill serves bison chili, burgers, and cold drinks — a surreal and beloved resupply point that TCT hikers look forward to on Day 2.
• Little Harbor — A protected double cove on the island's southern shore with some of the clearest water in California. The campground beach offers direct snorkeling access among garibaldi fish (California's state marine fish), kelp forests, and sea urchins.
• Two Harbors — The island's only other settlement, a small community of roughly 150 residents at the narrow isthmus. A restaurant, general store, dive shop, and the only ATM west of Avalon make it the natural mid-point rest-day stop.
• Silver Peak — At 1,775 ft (541 m), the island's highest accessible viewpoint delivers a 360-degree panorama stretching the full length of Catalina and, on clear days, all the way to the mainland mountains above Los Angeles.
• Parsons Landing — The remote western terminus of the TCT, reachable only on foot or by boat. A hand-cranked locker system provides pre-purchased water and firewood caches for arriving hikers — one of the trail's most memorable and practical quirks.
• Bison & Island Wildlife — Free-roaming bison have lived on Catalina since 1924; herds of 20 or more are regularly spotted on the interior ridges. Island foxes, weighing just 1–2 kg, are bold near campsites. Golden eagles, Catalina quail, and harbor seals round out an island wildlife list that feels more like a nature reserve than a typical trail.

Best Time to Hike the Trans-Catalina Trail

The TCT is open year-round, and as of 2026, the two best windows remain late March through May and September through November.

October is the single best month to hike the Trans-Catalina Trail. After summer crowds have thinned, the thick coastal fog of June and July has completely burned off, daytime temperatures average a near-perfect 68–72°F (20–22°C), and ocean visibility reaches its annual peak — ideal for the snorkeling stop at Little Harbor. Campsite availability improves noticeably compared to summer, and the island's golden chaparral takes on a warm autumn glow.

Spring (March–May) is the second-best season. Winter rains leave the hillsides green and stippled with wildflowers through April. Temperatures run 62–70°F (17–21°C) by day with cooler nights above 1,000 ft. April weekends still book out fast, so reserve campgrounds 2–3 months ahead.

Summer (June–August) is viable but demanding. The so-called “June Gloom” — a marine layer of fog — blankets lower elevations through mid-July. Above 1,200 ft the ridge burns off clear, but afternoon temperatures on shadeless sections can push above 85°F (29°C). Ferry boats and campsites book out 4–6 months in advance for popular July and August dates.

Winter (December–February) is the quietest season with lower fees and uncrowded weekends. Rain is most likely December through February, turning the clay-heavy trail sections slick and treacherous. Parsons Landing campground may offer reduced services in this period.

Practical Information

Accommodation

All five campgrounds are managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy and require advance reservations via the Conservancy's online booking system. Peak-season dates (May–September) regularly sell out 3–6 months ahead. In 2026, prices run approximately $30–45 USD per person per night (roughly €27–41 at current exchange rates):

• Hermit Gulch Campground — Near Avalon, car-accessible, with showers, a camp store, and tent and cabin options; approximately $33–40 per person per night. An optional first-night stop before the main trail begins.
• Black Jack Campground — Remote ridge-top site with pit toilets and on-site water; approximately $38–45 per person per night. No showers. Stunning sunrise views compensate for every inconvenience.
• Little Harbor Campground — Beachside sites above a sheltered cove with pit toilets and on-site water; approximately $38–45 per person per night. Snorkel gear rental sometimes available nearby.
• Two Harbors Campground — Village-adjacent camping with restaurant, bar, and store access; approximately $30–40 per person per night. The most social stop on the trail.
• Parsons Landing Campground — The most remote site, no showers, no on-site water supply; approximately $30–38 per person per night. Water must be pre-purchased as a locker token when booking.

Getting There & Back

Santa Catalina Island has no road connection to the mainland. All access is by sea or air.

By ferry: Catalina Express operates year-round ferries from three mainland terminals. Long Beach (Catalina Landing) to Avalon takes approximately 60 minutes; San Pedro to Avalon takes 60 minutes; Dana Point to Avalon takes 75 minutes. Round-trip fares in 2026 are approximately $80–100 USD per adult (€73–91). Catalina Express also operates a direct Two Harbors to San Pedro service, useful for hikers completing the full TCT without returning to Avalon. Book in advance for weekends and holidays.

By air: Island Express Helicopter connects Long Beach Airport (LGB) to Avalon in approximately 15 minutes; one-way tickets run $150–200 USD. Small fixed-wing aircraft can also fly to Airport in the Sky (Catalina Airport, ICAO: KAVX), which sits conveniently at the trail's midpoint.

Nearest airports: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is approximately 35 miles (56 km) from the Long Beach ferry terminal — allow 45–60 minutes by car. Long Beach Airport (LGB) is just 5 miles (8 km) from the Long Beach ferry terminal.

Permits & Fees

• Conservancy access permit: Required for all backcountry trail use. Cost is approximately $10 per person per day when not staying at a campground; included with campground reservations.
• Campground reservations: Each campground must be booked separately through the Catalina Island Conservancy website. No single through-hiker pass covers all five sites.
• Parsons Landing water token: Must be pre-purchased at time of booking. One token (approximately $16) provides 1 gallon of potable water and a bundle of firewood from the locked cache at the campground. There is no other water source at Parsons Landing.
• No National Park fee: Catalina Island is privately managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy, not the National Park Service. No NPS America the Beautiful pass applies here.

Gear & Packing List

With 38.5 miles and 9,600 ft of elevation gain spread over 3–4 days, smart pack selection pays dividends on the TCT. Most hikers carry a 40–55L pack — enough volume for four days of food while staying light enough for Stage 1's long opening ascent. For those who want volume with a minimal weight penalty, the Osprey Aether 65 has long been a benchmark for multi-day comfort on demanding routes. Ultralight-focused hikers will find the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider ideal for island conditions — its waterproof Dyneema Composite Fabric shrugs off Pacific fog and morning dew without adding grams. For a practical middle ground in weight and volume, the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 50L balances load-carrying ability with a sub-2-lb base weight that Stage 1 will make you very grateful for.

Key items for the TCT specifically:

• Sun protection — Catalina's chaparral offers minimal shade across long ridge stretches. A wide-brim sun hat, UPF-rated shirt, and SPF 50+ sunscreen are non-negotiable, not optional.
• Water filter or purification tablets — Campgrounds have treated water, but reliable sources between sites are scarce. Carry at least 3 litres between campgrounds and a lightweight filter for backup.
• Trekking poles — The steep descent from the ridge toward Little Harbor and loose terrain on Stage 4 make poles a genuine knee-saver across the full 38.5 miles.
• Lightweight snorkel gear — An extra 400–500 g well spent for the crystal-clear water at Little Harbor, where garibaldi and kelp forests sit directly off the campground beach.
• Insulated jacket — Even in summer, fog at Black Jack's elevation (1,600 ft) makes nights cold. A 150 g synthetic puffy prevents a miserable early morning at camp.
• Bear canister or food hang system — Ravens at Catalina campgrounds are aggressively bold. A canister or proper hang is mandatory at several sites; check specific requirements when booking.

For detailed calorie planning across demanding multi-day mileage, the HikeLoad calorie guide covers daily energy needs based on pack weight and terrain grade. For a broader comparison of ultralight pack options suited to island and coastal routes, see Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2026: 7 Packs Tested and Ranked.

Similar Trails You Might Like

The Trans-Catalina Trail's combination of dramatic elevation change, coastal scenery, and island isolation is rare in the United States trail network. For long-distance routes through the same Southern California biogeographic zone, the Pacific Crest Trail covers hundreds of miles of comparable chaparral and high-desert terrain starting just inland from Catalina's waters. For iconic California summit objectives on a shorter timeline, the Mount Whitney Trail and Half Dome Trail both deliver world-class elevation and views within a day or two. If the TCT's exposed ridgeline character is what draws you, the Angels Landing Trail–West Rim Trail in Zion National Park offers similarly dramatic edge-of-cliff hiking. For the truly committed long-distance backpacker, the 4,988 km Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is the definitive American wilderness challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to hike the Trans-Catalina Trail?
October is the single best month. Summer crowds have thinned, the coastal fog that blankets Catalina through June and July has fully cleared, temperatures average 68–72°F (20–22°C), and ocean visibility peaks — perfect for a snorkeling stop at Little Harbor. Spring (April–May) is the second-best window, with wildflowers, green hillsides, and manageable daytime heat. Avoid summer weekends unless campsite reservations are locked in months in advance.

How difficult is the Trans-Catalina Trail?
The TCT is rated moderate to strenuous. The 38.5-mile (62 km) route accumulates 9,600 ft (2,900 m) of total elevation gain, which is a serious physical commitment over 3–4 days. Stage 1 from Avalon to Black Jack — 15 miles and 3,900 ft of climbing — is the hardest single day on the trail and should not be underestimated by hikers newer to multi-day backpacking. Stages 2 through 3 are considerably more forgiving.

How many miles per day should I expect to hike on the TCT?
On the standard 4-day itinerary, daily mileage ranges from 5 to 15 miles (8–24 km). Day 1 is the longest and hardest at approximately 15 miles (24 km). Days 2 and 3 cover 8.5 and 5 miles respectively, which provides welcome recovery after the demanding opener. Day 4 covers roughly 10 miles to Parsons Landing. Experienced hikers with good fitness often combine days 3 and 4 to finish in three days total.

What accommodation options are available along the trail?
Five campgrounds serve the TCT route: Hermit Gulch (near Avalon), Black Jack, Little Harbor, Two Harbors, and Parsons Landing. All require advance reservations through the Catalina Island Conservancy and cost approximately $30–45 USD per person per night (€27–41). There are no huts or hostels on the backcountry sections. Two Harbors has a restaurant and bar within walking distance of its campground, making it the best option for hikers who want a hot meal mid-trail.

Do I need a permit to hike the Trans-Catalina Trail?
Yes. A Catalina Island Conservancy backcountry access permit is required for all interior trail use, costing approximately $10 per person per day when staying off-trail, or bundled into campground fees when booking overnight sites. Each of the five campgrounds must be reserved separately through the Conservancy's website. Parsons Landing additionally requires a pre-purchased water cache token (approximately $16) since there is no other potable water source at the trail's western terminus.