Little Harbor Campground

Camping: As on all islands that are away from home with limited accessibility (even if needed) requires some preparation. We had a 4 night stay on little harbor campground. This was with a 12 year old and an 8 year old. Then again, this is our 4th island trip, in late November. Restrooms: There are porta-potties, some are clean and some aren’t YMMV. Shower: There are a few open beach cold-showers... Camping: As on all islands that are away from home with limited accessibility (even if needed) requires some preparation. We had a 4 night stay on little harbor campground. This was with a 12 year old and an 8 year old. Then again, this is our 4th island trip, in late November. Restrooms: There are porta-potties, some are clean and some aren’t YMMV. Shower: There are a few open beach cold-showers to cleanup after some salt water dips. Getting here: * We had to reach San-Pedro harbor early to ensure we got a parking spot (did a small reconnaissance trip the night before to the harbor, it looks like they close at 9pm). Its a private paid parking and looks safe to park. * The ferry rides for campers is a bit different than the other channel islands (which are part of the National parks). What does this mean? – There is a ramp on the boat to get off on to the dock, you can bring a dolly or wagon for transport and roll the luggage off – The boat ride was “swell” free and was short, although it did stopped at Avalon first before heading to 2-Harbor. Check the waves the night before and prepare with few Dramamine if needed. – Propane and MSR canisters have to bought at the grocery store, there is not flammable box – YMMV but the ferry folks were accommodating, when we had to go pick up a heavier luggage and had to go back on the ferry to get the luggage (2nd round). * On landing, we used the gear haul available at the 2-Harbor visitor center where one would checkin for the campsite at Little Harbor as well (which moves the gear on a truck to the little harbor campsite), whilst we hiked along the trans-Catalina trail. This was “very” handy when traveling with kids. * It is a fairly well-habitated island in comparison to the other channel islands. There is full-fledged store, restaurant and other services available. * The weather when we went late November was nice and warm with temperate climates from 50’s to mid 60’s and no rain, although it did rain the week before was and the roads showed signs they were indeed slushy from the previous week. * The trek through the Trans-Catalina ridge trail to the campground took us a good 4+ hours with multiple stops food stops and breaks for the kids. Perhaps adults only can fit on the average of 2hr hike as noted on Google maps. We witnessed a few foxes but not much wildlife persay. The key is to take a hat and sunscreen, as there is direct sun on most trails. * The campsite is clean and “huge”, we stayed on campsite LH-02 which is one of the farthest away from the beach but worked out well with kids (who can be noisy). Also it avoided the slushy soil on the campsites closer to the beach. Campsite: * The campsite had potable water and there is a porta-potty on LH-01. The gear haul lands about 10-20m away from LH-02, which is very convenient. Kudos for the island folks for getting this facility available. * There is a bear (really a fox) box available on site with palm trees surrounding it, two benches. * We did see a small-cat and many foxes that regularly visit the campsite to pick up the scraps, so beware. * The wind was very mild to none and the tents did not additional anchoring unlike other islands. * The one minor differentiating point (or peev wrt to nature preservation) was the nearby beaches to this campsite didn’t have trekkable paths but rather we had to take the roadway to get there. Every time a large truck went it put a big dust storm behind it, when walking on those paths. Beach: * The beach is one stop place for many activities, pebble hunting, snorkeling, quick swim, kayaking, sunbathing,……. * It is shallow and for the week we were there with very mellow waves (kid friendly). * We snorkeled and found many types and schools of fishes, close to the rocky side of the beach. * Kelp and seaweed is aplenty and can tangle up on the kayak paddles * Kayaking on the harbor was like kayaking on a lake with the ocean view. Overall a 4.5 star with the one problem wrt to trekking along roadways to access to beaches and sites 3-4 miles near this place.

The campground is remote on the far side of the island. We planned to bike in from Two Harbors (on New Year’s Day- the weather’s still great!) the hills are steep and primarily uphill. I rethought my planning as I pushed my bike loaded with gear - we didn’t have mountain bikes. It was definitely a workout. The camp ground is fantastically beautiful. It has rocky cliffs for exploring tide pools. O... The campground is remote on the far side of the island. We planned to bike in from Two Harbors (on New Year’s Day- the weather’s still great!) the hills are steep and primarily uphill. I rethought my planning as I pushed my bike loaded with gear - we didn’t have mountain bikes. It was definitely a workout. The camp ground is fantastically beautiful. It has rocky cliffs for exploring tide pools. Others were spear fishing nearby. Most campers watched the sunset, it’s spectacular. We arranged for firewood drop when we reserved the site. Worth every penny. You can also arrange for gear drop. Hiking would have been easier than pushing the bikes but I’m so glad we did this trip anyway.