Wheeler Gorge
WHEELER GORGE
Part of Los Padres National Forest
Overview
Wheeler Gorge Campground is a great place for families to explore the Los Padres National Forest all year long. Informative tours of the area are led by forest rangers at the nearby visitor center. The campground provides scenic views of a nearby stream, as well as vast mountain vistas.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. 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.
Natural Features
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.
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.
Educational programs, including ranger-led hikes, are offered year-round.
Nearby Attractions
Ventura and the Pacific Ocean are about 20 miles south of the campground.Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (820) 500-1099.Important Notices
Contact: Camp Los Padres manages this campground. For questions, email info@camplospadres.com or call 820-500-1099.
Single sites: Site Capacity: Each campsite allows up to 8 people and 2 vehicles. Additional vehicles are $10 per vehicle per night, if space is available, and are paid at the campground. Groups of more than 8 must reserve a second site.
Double Sites: Double campsites allow up to 16 people and 4 vehicles. Additional vehicles are $10 per vehicle per night, if space is available.
Water & Services: No water is available at the campground. Bring all drinking and washing water for your stay. No Wi-Fi or cell service.
Poison Oak: May be present in the area.
Insects: Bug spray is recommended on warm summer days.
Trees: All trees, even when healthy and well-maintained, can pose a natural hazard of falling limbs. Visitors assume responsibility for any property damage, injury or other circumstances that may result from these hazards.
Lost, Stolen or Damaged Property: Camp Los Padres is not responsible for loss or damages to property due to fire, theft, accident or any other cause.
Preparation for your trip: Please watch this Leave No Trace 7 Principles video prior to your arrival to help protect our National Forests.
Firewood Policy: Help protect Los Padres National Forest: Buy It Where You Burn It. Don't Move Firewood. Firewood must meet applicable local-origin (purchased within the same county) or approved treatment requirements (certified heat treated) to reduce invasive pest risks. Firewood brought into the campground may be subject to inspection, and if not purchased locally or found to be compliant with requirements it can be confiscated to prevent the spread of the Goldspotted Oak Borer. By completing your reservation, you acknowledge that you have been informed of the campground's firewood requirements and agree to comply with applicable restrictions. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
More Information: Visit Los Padres National Forest for forest alerts, fire restrictions and road conditions.
Available Activities
- SWIMMING SITE - Swimming
- HIKING - Hiking
- FISHING - Fishing
- CAMPING - Camping
- BIKING - Mountain Biking
Directions
From Ventura, take Highway 33 north about 14 miles. Turn left, continuing on Highway 33 for another 8 miles to the campground. <br /><br /> From Los Angeles, take I-5 north, then turn west onto Highway 126 for about 28 miles, to Santa Paula. Continue north on Highway 150 for 16 miles. Turn left onto Highway 33 and continue north approximately 8 miles to the campground.
Contact Information
Phone: 805-434-1996
1190 E. OJAI AVE.OJAI, CA 93023
Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site 034, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 070, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 060, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 042, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 028, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 043, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004/005, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009/010, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 044, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 048, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 023, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 063, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 051, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 039, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 057, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 050, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 016, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 061, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 041, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 021, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 045, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 058, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 049, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 066, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 053, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 035, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 038, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 065, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 068, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 047, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 032, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 046, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 069, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 040, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 054, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 055, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 059, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 064, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 022, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 071, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 020, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 025, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 027, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 033, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 036, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 067, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 029, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 031, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 052, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 019, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 056, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 062, Loop WHEE, Type Standard Nonelectric
