Avalon in Catalina is a well trodden part of the island, but most visitors don’t know the bounty of natural and outdoor activities in the island’s interior, including campgrounds on the beach, pine forests and abundant wildlife. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
Heli-bike tours take riders deep into the interior, where splendid views of the coastline can be found. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
A herd of bison saunter down the road that heads to Black Jack Campground. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
White’s Landing is filled with water sports opportunities and its sandy beach is the longest one on Catalina. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
White’s Landing is often uncrowded but is sometimes filled with hundreds of campers. Groups often rent out the campground for retreats. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
Backpackers get ready to set out from the Black Jack Campground near the heart of the island. It is surrounded by a pine forest and is frequented by bison and Catalina Island Fox. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
The Catalina Island Conservancy offers a fantastic Jeep ride and tour through the island’s interior. Here a tour stops for a view of Shark and Little Harbor on the island’s south coast. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
Another one of the interior tour options is a Hummer tour that does a round trip from Avalon. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
It’s a long hike down to Ben Watson Beach but intrepid travelers will be rewarded with a stunning and empty shoreline. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
Kayakers assemble on the leeward side of the island near Long Point. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
A view of Two Harbors, with Bird Rock in the foreground. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
A helicopter view of Catalina Harbor. Helicopter biking and hiking tours are new ways to reach the island’s wild and beautiful interior. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
The Catalina Island Fox has evolved to adapt to the island’s environment. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
A bison rolls around near Black Jack Campground. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
