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| contractID |
CTLN |
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Camping on Catalina is a unique experience and very different than camping on the mainland. Hermit Gulch Campground is Avalon’s only camping facility located within city limits. The campground is located 1.5 miles uphill on Avalon Canyon Road between the Island Conservancy Nature Center and The Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Gardens. The campground can be reached either by foot or bike on the paved road or by Avalon Transportation Services (310-510-0025) which provides both taxi and city trolley service accessible directly from the Avalon boat landing. Baggage storage/service and lockers are also available. The campground offers a nice view of the surrounding chaparral covered hills that are home to a wide variety of trees, plant and animal life, some of which are endemic and found no where else in the world. The Hermit Gulch Trail is available from the campground and climbs to a nice lookout located where it connects to the Trans Catalina Trail offering great island views. There is access to other hiking trails nearby as well for trekking and bird watching. Hermit Gulch is great for the first-time camper and experienced alike. Being so close to town allows access to groceries, shopping, restaurants, tours, sightseeing, activities (on and off the water) and nightlife. The campground boasts clean lighted restrooms with flush toilets and coin operated hot showers (Quarters only). There are campsites and primitive tent cabins available as well as a group area for a large group. All campsites and tent cabins offer a picnic table and BBQ stand located at each. Sorry. NO WOOD FIRES! Charcoal and Wax logs only. Even though located near the city of Avalon the campground is visited by a large variety birds and animals like Ravens, Squirrels, Deer and the Island Fox. Be prepared. Store all food in sealed packages, coolers and storage containers/bins and be sure to put all trash in the trash cans provided. Campground office has a limited store offering Ice, Charcoal, Wax Logs (Wood fires are prohibited), Propane and Pack Fuel for purchase. Rental camping gear like Sleeping Bags, Ground Pads, Dome Tents, Propane Lanterns and Stoves (propane sold separately) is also available on a first come first serve basis. Personal camping gear is highly recommended. In addition there are vending machines located at the office for snacks and beverages. There are coin operated lockers located both at the office and restroom buildings (Quarters only). Reservations are required. (Walk-in reservations are possible depending on availability for an additional fee). Early check-in is recommended when available. (Office opens at 8:30am.) All guests must check-in prior to 9pm. (Office hours vary depending on season and need). Please use the note section when making a reservation if planning a late arrival or to alert camp staff of additional information. Guests arriving after office hours may set-up and check-in first thing in the morning. (Please read and obey all rules provided and posted). QUIET TIME is 10pm. to 8am. (Plan accordingly). Loud or amplified sound or music including Radios, Personal speakers and Musical instruments are not allowed at any time. Check-out time is 11am. (Lockers and baggage service/storage are available at the Avalon boat landing). All rental equipment must be returned to office in good condition prior to 11am. Items not returned are subject to a $10.00 retrieval/processing and or cleaning fee per item or cost of replacement. |
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In order to reach the island, boat transportation is the most popular and easiest way to travel. Catalina Express (1-800-540-4753) passenger boats leave from San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point. The Catalina Flyer departs from Newport Beach. All of those ports access Avalon, on the east end of the island. Boat transportation is for people, no vehicles allowed. Another way to reach the island is by private boat or plane/helicopter. The Safari Bus between Avalon and Two Harbors runs daily but seats are very limited and reservations are required (www.Visittwoharbors.com). The Safari Bus is not a tour. It is transportation between Two Harbors and Avalon with stops at Black Jack trailhead, Catalina Airport In-the-Sky and a bus change at Little Harbor. There is no scheduled ferry between Avalon and Two Harbors. Hermit Gulch Campground is located uphill on Avalon Canyon Road just 1.5 miles from the Avalon boat landing. The campground can be reached either by foot or bike on the paved road or by Avalon Transportation Services (310-510-0025) which provides both taxi and city trolley service accessible directly from the boat landing. Lockers and baggage storage/service is also available at the Avalon boat landing. |
| facilitiesDescription |
Hermit Gulch Campground Offers: Clean lighted restrooms with flush toilets and sinks. Coin operated HOT showers (Quarters only). Coin lockers (Quarters only). Campground office with limited purchase items and rental camping gear. Central community fire pit (NO WOOD FIRES Charcoal and Wax logs only). Picnic tables and BBQ stands at each site and tent cabin. Vending Machines |
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HERMIT GULCH |
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940012 |
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http://www.reserveamerica.com/campsiteSearch.do?contractCode=CTLN&parkId=940012&cmp=39-32--joewils |
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In order to protect the island’s unique environment, the following rules and regulations apply to all Santa Catalina Island campgrounds. Please observe these guidelines as fully as possible. Reservations and Permits Required Camping permits are required year-round. The maximum consecutive stay is 10 days. No sleeping outside the campsite overnight on the beach. Camping rates are per person, per night. Rates vary depending on the season, and midweek versus weekend. Alcoholic Beverages Under-age drinking is unlawful (BPC 25662). The law will be strictly enforced and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Excessive and irresponsible alcohol consumption can result in removal from the campground. Curfew for Minors It is unlawful for any minor under the age of 18 years to be present in a ‘public place’ between the hours of 10:00 PM on any given day and sunrise of the immediately following day, as defined in Los Angeles County Ordinance 13.56.010 B. Additionally, no unsupervised minor is allowed in the interior of the island from sunset to sunrise. A supervised minor is defined as a person under the age of 18 who is accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or an adult at least 25 years of age or older, authorized by said parent or guardian to have care and custody of the minor and who will assume full responsibility for said minor at all times. CHILDREN MUST BE SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES! Swimming Swim at your own risk. No lifeguards are on duty. Hook-Ups There are no electrical hook-ups available at any of the campsites. Generators are not allowed at Hermit Gulch Campground. Fire Precautions In accordance with the L.A. County Fire Code, fires and smoking are permitted in the BBQ and fire ring areas only. No wood fires of any kind are allowed at the Hermit Gulch Campground. (Charcoal and Wax logs only). Gathering Wood Gathering wood or plants, or in any way removing or defacing any natural or manmade feature is prohibited. Hunting Firearms, pellet/BB guns, sling shots, wrist rockets, archery equipment, traps or any other hunting equipment are strictly prohibited. This includes air-soft and paintball guns. Plant and Animal Life Beware of Poison Oak and Rattle Snakes. All plants and animals on the island are protected. Buffalo, Deer and other wildlife are unpredictable; keep your distance. DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS! Quiet Hours Campground and beach quiet hours are between 10:00pm. to 8:00am. Loud or amplified sound or music is not allowed at any time including Radios, Personal speakers and Musical instruments. Pets SORRY. NO PETS ALLOWED IN CAMPGROUNDS. No Littering Trash cans are provided in every camp. Each camp area must be kept and left clean, with all refuse in trash cans. Use separate containers for recyclable materials when provided. |
| nearbyAttrctionDescription |
The city of Avalon has many attractions to see. Please consult a city guide or calendar of events for a complete listing. The Chamber of Commerce can also be contacted for information. Visit www.catalinachamber.com |
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| orientationDescription |
Catalina Island is primarily composed of two distinct rock units: The Catalina Schist and the Miocene volcanic plus intrusive igneous rocks. The island is rich in quartz, so much so that some seaward beaches have silver-grey sand. Originally the island’s formation occurred on the ocean floor due to tectonic activity. The island’s land-mass is not directly connected to the California mainland. The island is extremely rocky and the hills are covered with chaparral with plant and tree life that is regional, indigenous and introduced. There is a wide variety of endemic plants and trees that are found no where else in the world. |
| recreationDescription |
The city of Avalon offers a wide variety of recreational activities ranging from physical to relaxing. There is Hiking, Biking, Kayaking, Boating, Jet Skiing, Paddle Boarding, Swimming and much, much more. Relaxing on the beach, Nature walking, Bird watching, Tours, Shopping and Dining are just some of the many opportunities that await visitors just looking to relax. |