Find Your Next Adventure
Wheeler Gorge Campground is perhaps, one of Southern California’s best kept secrets, built by the Boy Scouts nearly a century ago. Wheeler Gorge Campground contains numerous sites adjacent to a picturesque stream and rocky mountains. Perfect for families and tent camping, each site contains a table, bbq, and fire ring. Great home base to explore Matilija Creek, the town of Ojai, or the surrounding Wilderness Areas.
- Winter
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- $10.00 extra person (up to 8) per night and $10.00 extra vehicle charge (up to 2) per night
- $10.00 day use fee per vehicle
- $35.00-$37.00
- Memorial to Labor Day
- Golden Age/Golden Access Pass for single family campsites only
- Parks Management Day Use Annual Pass
Facilities
The campground is open year-round and offers dozens of single-family sites for tent or RV camping. Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, however reservations are recommended. Parking spurs are paved and vary in length, accommodating RVs up to 35 feet.
Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets are provided, but drinking water is not available. Visitors must bring their own water, and remove their trash from the campground.
- Accessible Sites
- Accessible Vault Toilets
- Campfire Rings
- Creek Access
- Fishing
- Grills
- Group Camping
- Hiking
- Interpretive Trails
- Mountain Biking
- Paved Parking Spurs
- RV sites
- Swimming
- Tent Pads
Recreation
The Wheeler Gorge Nature Trail begins at the upper end of the campground. It is a relatively short loop that leads through thick vegetation along the creek banks and to a hillside view of the area. Wildflowers often bloom along the path.
The creek flows near some of the campsites and a small swimming hole is frequented near the side of the highway. Fishing is rough in the area and may produce a catch of trout, but the stream is not stocked. Kayaking or canoeing in the creek is not recommended.
Important Information
- No water is not available at the campground, Please bring all the drinking and washing water you will need for the length of your stay. There is also no wifi or cell service.
- Poison oak may be present in the area
- Use of bug spray is encouraged on warm summer days
- All single campsite reservations are good for 6 people and 1 vehicle
- Maximum number of people per single site is 8 ($10.00 additional charge per person per night after 6 people)
- Maximum number of vehicles per single site is 2 ($10.00 additional charge for 2nd vehicle per night)
- All Double campsite reservations are good for 12 people and 2 vehicles
- Maximum number of people per double site is 16 ($10.00 additional charge person per night after 12 people)
- Maximum Number of vehicles per double site is 4 ($10.00 additional charge per vehicle per night after 2 vehicles)
- Extra Vehicle and person fees will be charged at the facility
- Click here for more information on the Los Padres National Forest
- Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. For current fire conditions or weather closures, contact the forest supervisor's office at (805) 968-6640
- Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov
Nearby Features
Ventura and the Pacific Ocean are about 20 miles south of the campground. The campground is adjacent to Matilija Creek, and is bordered by a mixed forest of oak and sycamore trees and evergreen shrubbery. Most sites are shaded and summer temperatures reach up to 95 degrees.
The campground was originally built by Boy Scouts nearly a century ago, as well as a historical stone home that is also on-site.