Rose Valley Campground
Break free from reality and take a scenic cruise along fabulous Highway 33 for a short drive from Ojai to Rose Valley Campground and Day Use Area. Whether you're day-tripping or camping, you can explore the running creek, visit the waterfalls, take a dip and hike the nearby trails and enjoy the local wildlife. Wildflowers and shady areas under cottonwood trees invite you to indulge in a rejuvenating nap. Removed just far enough from civilization, the night sky here is fantastic, especially when gazing north, a perfect place to view meteor showers, satellites, comets and other celestial phenomenon.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 9 |
Site guide
9 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 002 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 003 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 004 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 005 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 006 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 007 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 008 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 009 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 20 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Rose Valley Campground has nine campsites. The campsites are very spacious, level, well-marked and well equipped with a picnic table, fire pit and/or a separate BBQ. There are enclosed trash receptacles around the park and an unlit single pit style toilet. There is no drinking water at this site; you must bring your own water.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | January to December |
| Forest | Los Padres National Forest |
| Booking | www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Reservations need to be made 8 days in advance. |
| Fees | $30/night for camping, $10/night for an extra vehicle. |
Weather by month
Getting there
To get there, follow Hwy. 33 north from Ojai 14.7 miles to mile marker 25.84. Turn right at the Rose Valley Road (6N31) turnoff and follow the paved road for 3.1 miles. Turn right again at the Rose Valley Campground sign (across from the lower lake) and follow this road 0.6 miles into Rose Valley Campground. Watch out for rough sections of road.
| Coordinates | 34.5326° N, 119.1824° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireBryson
36 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 ↗ | 6.6 mi |
| Dump station | Lake Casitas Recreation Area ↗ | 11.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Harder RV Storage ↗ | 33.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Hiking trails, biking, fishing, within 30 minutes. Day trips to the higher elevation mountains for snow play in the winter. One mile away on the Rose Valley Road (6N31) is the Piedra Blanca Trailhead where there are three trails to explore, all located across Sespe Creek. The Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca National Recreation Trail (22W03) in the Sespe Wilderness will lead you to nearby massive white rocks, called Piedra Blanca! It is an easy walk for the first three miles.
- 0.1 mi
- 8.9 miFishbowls Trailhead - 21W05 ↗Trailhead
- 10.5 miJohnston Ridge Trailhead - 20W12 ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miRose Lion1.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miRose Valley Falls0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.8 miEast Fork Lion Camp0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 1.8 miWest Fork Lion Camp0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.2 miGene Marshall-Piedra Blanca ↗18.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_recreation_or_other
- 2.2 miLion Canyon ↗6.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.1 miPiedra Blanca Trailhead (Rose Valley Area) Ojai ↗Los Padres National Forest
- 2.8 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
This campground sits inside Sespe Wilderness.
- inSespe Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 219,209 acres
- 8.9 miMatilija Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 29,207 acres
- 14.4 miChumash Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 37,793 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 · 6.4 mi
- Isis TheaterBuilding · Ojai · 6.9 mi
- St. Thomas Aquinas ChapelBuilding · Ojai · 6.9 mi
Natural features
Rose Valley Campground is the entry point to the legendary Rose Valley Falls, a magnificent two-tier 300-foot waterfall located on the west end of the Topatopa Mountains in Los Padres National Forest. If you are lucky, you may see coyotes, deer, bobcats, mountain lions or bears, which all live in this area. Frogs and toads, or ducks swimming on the lake, are a frequent sight as are red-tailed hawks soaring high above. Vegetation includes chamise, sage and toyon; toyon is especially beautiful in the fall and winter with its bright red berries. This area is amazing during the fall; as the trees change, you will find yourself luxuriously encased by vibrant colors. If you like wildflowers, Rose Valley offers wild rose and poppies in the spring.
Recreation
Rose Valley Falls is the principal attraction to this section of the Sespe. The trail to the falls begins at the southwest area of the campground between Campsites 4 and 5. Follow it for a half-mile and you will be at the base of the falls. The cliffs at the falls are arkosic sandstone and crumble easily, so tread lightly. Rose Valley Falls is the tallest waterfall in the range. While it is an easy hike to the base of the 100-foot tall lower tier of the waterfall (0.8 miles round trip with 150 feet of elevation gain), it is an adventure to reach the more impressive upper tier. Please do not climb around on steep sections or get close to the edge. If you are not camping, you will need to park outside of the campground to hike the trails; otherwise, the day use fee for parking in the campground is $10.00.
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Rose Valley Campground?
Sites at Rose Valley Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Rose Valley Campground?
$30/night for camping, $10/night for an extra vehicle.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Rose Valley Campground?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Rose Valley Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season January to December.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Rose Valley Campground have?
9 sites, including 9 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Rose Valley Campground?
The longest site here provides 20 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 Rose Valley Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Rose Valley Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Rose Valley Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Rose Valley Campground?
Rose Valley Falls is the principal attraction to this section of the Sespe. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Rose Valley Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Middle Lion Campground (1.5 mi, partly first-come), Wheeler Gorge (5.4 mi, partly first-come), and Holiday Group Campground (5.5 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby