Wheeler Gorge
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.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in California · reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 66 |
| Host/management | 23 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
66 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | Back-in | 26 | Paved | None | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 003 | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | |
| 006 | Pull-through | 30 | Paved | 8 / 1 | ||
| 007 | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | |
| 008 | Back-in | 22 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | |
| 011 | Back-in | 32 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | |
| 012 | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | |
| 013 | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | |
| 014 | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | |
| 015 | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 45 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Fees | Single Sites: 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). |
| Accessibility | Sites 002, 015, 016, 055 are listed accessible |
The campground is open year-round and offers dozens of single-family sites for tent or RV camping. 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. Visitors must bring their own water, and remove their trash from the campground.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Los Padres National Forest |
| Booking | www.recreation.gov or by call 1-877-444-6777. |
| Fees | Single site (6-8 people) $35/night. Double site $60/night. Extra vehicle fee $10.00/night. Day use parking within the campground is $10.00 per vehicle. Call (805) 646-4348 or (805) 968-6640 Monday-Friday, 8-4:30 for more information. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Ventura, take Highway 33 north about 14 miles. Turn left, continuing on Highway 33 for another 8 miles to the campground. 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.
| Nearest town | Ojai, California |
| Coordinates | 34.5119° N, 119.2736° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- 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.
- Accessible vault toilets are provided, but drinking water is not available.
Fire nearby
- WildfireBryson
38 mi from the campground · 200 acres · 0% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Ojai Valley Surplus ↗ | 4.9 mi |
| Dump station | Lake Casitas Recreation Area ↗ | 7.5 mi |
| RV sales & service | Harder RV Storage ↗ | 28.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Wheeler Gorge Campground - Los Padres National Forest, CA
Worth a stop
Ventura and the Pacific Ocean are about 20 miles south of the campground.
- 5.4 mi
- 13.3 miFishbowls Trailhead - 21W05 ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.5 miWheeler Gorge Nature0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miOrtega OHV ↗8.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.5 miPratt ↗4.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.3 miGridley ↗5.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.5 miCozy Dell1.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.6 miFoothill2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.9 miHoward Creek - 22W26 ↗Los Padres National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Matilija Wilderness begins about 4.2 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 4.2 miMatilija Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 29,207 acres
- 4.8 miSespe Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 219,209 acres
- 13.7 miDick Smith Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 71,275 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Charles M. Pratt HouseBuilding · Ojai · 3.6 mi
- Isis TheaterBuilding · Ojai · 4.7 mi
- St. Thomas Aquinas ChapelBuilding · Ojai · 4.7 mi
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. Educational programs, including ranger-led hikes, are offered year-round.
Guidebooks for California
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Wheeler Gorge?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Wheeler Gorge?
Single Sites: 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).
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Wheeler Gorge?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Wheeler Gorge open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Wheeler Gorge have?
89 sites, including 66 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Wheeler Gorge?
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Wheeler Gorge?
Yes, pets are allowed at Wheeler Gorge. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Wheeler Gorge?
Sites 002, 015, 016, and 055 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Wheeler Gorge?
The Wheeler Gorge Nature Trail begins at the upper end of the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Wheeler Gorge?
Ojai, California. Ventura and the Pacific Ocean are about 20 miles south of the campground.
Source: Getting there
What if Wheeler Gorge is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Holiday Group Campground (0.4 mi), Rose Valley Campground (5.4 mi), and Middle Lion Campground (6.6 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby