Question 1

What is the closest backpacking trip to San Diego?

Accepted Answer

Trans-Catalina Trail is the closest documented trip to San Diego at roughly 80 miles (about 89 minutes of driving) from the Avalon trailhead.

Question 2

Do I need a permit to backpack near San Diego?

Accepted Answer

Many routes near San Diego, including Trans-Catalina Trail, require a wilderness permit from Catalina Island Conservancy. Always check the managing agency before you go.

Question 3

When is the best season to backpack near San Diego?

Accepted Answer

For Trans-Catalina Trail — the closest trip to San Diego — the best months are March, April, May, October, November.

#	Trip	Miles away	Est. drive	Distance	Gain	Difficulty	Permit
1	Trans-Catalina Trail Channel Islands	80 mi	~89 min	38.5 mi	7,638 ft	49	Required
2	Vivian Creek Trail to San Gorgonio San Gorgonio Wilderness	96 mi	~107 min	15.6 mi	10,800 ft	61	Required
3	Forsee Creek to Johns Meadow San Gorgonio Wilderness	99 mi	~110 min	7.8 mi	1,600 ft	12	Required
4	San Bernardino Peak Trail San Gorgonio Wilderness	99 mi	~110 min	17.8 mi	9,300 ft	55	Required
5	South Fork Trail to Dry Lake San Gorgonio Wilderness	101 mi	~113 min	11.4 mi	4,400 ft	31	Required
6	Boy Scout Trail Joshua Tree National Park	108 mi	~120 min	15.6 mi	1,600 ft	14	Required
7	Cottonwood Pass to Chicken Spring Lake Inyo National Forest	264 mi	~294 min	15 mi	2,962 ft	30	Required
8	New Army Pass via Cottonwood Lakes Inyo National Forest	267 mi	~297 min	9.6 mi	3,596 ft	33	Required
9	Timber Gap Trail Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	271 mi	~301 min	9.7 mi	4,780 ft	32	Required
10	Black Rock Pass Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	271 mi	~301 min	13.7 mi	8,954 ft	54	Required
11	Monarch Lakes Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	271 mi	~301 min	7.1 mi	4,162 ft	30	Required
12	Mount Whitney Trail Inyo National Forest	274 mi	~305 min	21.4 mi	6,460 ft	49	Required

Best backpacking trips near San Diego, CA