For decades, Catalina Island was a playground for the rich and famous. In the early 1900s, California’s elite would come to the island near Long Beach to relax and stay at luxe resorts. While a nonprofit now owns and manages most of the island, it’s still a pricey tourist destination, and that includes its backpacking trail.
The 39-mile Trans Catalina Trail traverses the island, with spectacular views of the ocean and mountains, and campsites right along the beach. I completed the trail last year, and for all its highlights, it wasn’t cheap. Here are the tips and tricks I used to save a bit of cash.
How to Save Money on the Trans Catalina Trail
Campsites
The biggest expense of the trip is the campsites. To camp, you must book a site through the Catalina Island Conservancy (CIC), the nonprofit that owns and manages 88% of the land here. The nightly price is dynamic, like Uber; it changes based on demand and the season. In the summer, a single basic campsite for two people can cost more than $100/night. In October, it’s still as high as $77/night (plus a $9.25 reservation fee).
To save money, be strategic about when you go on your hike. Mid-June through August is peak tourist season on Catalina Island, so avoid those times. I went in the off-season in February and, with taxes and fees, ended up paying $43/night. If you’re willing to risk enduring some rainy weather in the shoulder seasons, you can save big. Just going during the week and avoiding weekends can also result in lower prices. Planning ahead and reserving well in advance also helps.
I did my hike solo, and of course, it would’ve split my costs in half if I’d gone with someone else. All of the campsites can comfortably accommodate 2 people (or in some cases, 4), so teaming up with a friend or group is an easy way to save some cash.
It’s worth noting that members of the CIC can save 50% on bookings at Black Jack, Little Harbor, and Parsons Landing. The lowest membership tier costs $50/year. If you are local and plan to camp on the island more than once, that deal could be worth it.
Itinerary
The more nights you spend on the island, the more money you’ll spend, so it’s worth being strategic about your itinerary. Most people take the ferry into Avalon, where the trail starts, and then depart at Two Harbors on the other side of the island, where the trail finishes. There are five campsites along the trail, but you don’t need to stay at all of them.
One of the campgrounds, Hermit Gulch, is in Avalon, so unless you’re getting into the island very late in the day, there’s no reason to stay there. You can arrive, start your hike, and then camp at Blackjack Campground, 10.7 miles away.
Similarly, if you have backpacking experience and are confident in your fitness, you can skip Two Harbors Campground. I hiked from Blackjack to Little Harbor (8.2 miles), and then hiked from there to Parsons Landing (11.9 miles). From there, you can hike back to Two Harbors and get the ferry back. Two Harbors Campground is smack dab between Little Harbor and Parsons Landing, and it didn’t seem efficient or necessary to add an extra stop.
I never want to feel rushed on my backpacking trips. I like to be able to stop and snack or take in views as much as I want. At the same time, I go on trips to hike, so only doing 6 miles in a day feels like it’s beside the point. My plan was the best of both worlds: I got to go at my own pace and enjoy the journey, but I also didn’t spend a fortune. My route was the following:
- Day 1: Arrive in Avalon. Hike to Blackjack Campground (10.7 miles).
- Day 2: Hike to Little Harbor Campground (8.2 miles).
- Day 3: Hike to Parsons Landing (11.9 miles).
- Day 4: Hike to Two Harbors Campground (7.7 miles). The timing of the ferry didn’t work out, so I camped here and took the ferry back the next day. Depending on the ferry schedule, you could potentially skip this night.
Buy Nothing & Use No Services
Given its location, almost everything on the island (food, fuel, etc.) has to arrive by boat, and that means it’s not cheap. When you’re in Avalon and Two Harbors, it can be tempting to buy snacks or treats for the hike, but this will quickly add up. Treat the hike like you’ll be in the true wilderness, and bring everything you need.
The CIC also offers a few services to backpackers and campers. It’ll transport your stuff so you can just hike with a daypack, and it’ll deliver groceries to your campsite. Gear transfer can cost $21 just for transfer to Little Harbor Campground, and grocery delivery runs $48.50 (not including the cost of whatever you buy). Come prepared and forsake some creature comforts in order to avoid breaking the bank.
