About Wheeler Gorge
Number of accommodations: 63
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Campground Amenities
Views and Setting
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Rates, Sites & Availability
63 Sites Available
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Site Details
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63 Sites Available
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Reviews (865)
What Guests Are Saying
Wheeler Gorge Campground is a beautiful and well-maintained location, perfect for families and individuals seeking a peaceful getaway close to nature. The sites are spacious, clean, and many offer access to the lovely Matilija Creek, providing a serene atmosphere for relaxation and exploration. While there is no running water and some areas have poison oak, the campground hosts are friendly and helpful, making it a highly recommended destination for camping enthusiasts.
What Guests Are Saying
Wheeler Gorge Campground is a beautiful and well-maintained location, perfect for families and individuals seeking a peaceful getaway close to nature. The sites are spacious, clean, and many offer access to the lovely Matilija Creek, providing a serene atmosphere for relaxation and exploration. While there is no running water and some areas have poison oak, the campground hosts are friendly and helpful, making it a highly recommended destination for camping enthusiasts.
Review Summary
Vanessa B
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2022 • Stayed at: 058, Loop: WHEE
Such a great place. Hosts were great! Bugs, as expected (camped early September during a heatwave, humid). Pit-type toilets, absolutely no water so bring enough water. Nearest town is about 15 min drive. Most spots had lots of trees providing shade. No cell service.
Matthew T
VerifiedSeptember 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 040, Loop: WHEE
Awesome campground. A creek runs through the area. Some flies during the day (when we went in May), but they cleared out during the night. Beautiful and peaceful location. Easy to check-in. Pit toilets, fairly clean
Matthew T
VerifiedSeptember 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 040, Loop: WHEE
Awesome campground. A creek runs through the area. Some flies during the day (when we went in May), but they cleared out during the night. Beautiful and peaceful location. Easy to check-in. Pit toilets, fairly clean
Jose A
VerifiedAugust 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 062, Loop: WHEE
Just need water nearby the locations
Jose A
VerifiedAugust 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 062, Loop: WHEE
Just need water nearby the locations
Laura W
VerifiedAugust 10, 2022 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: WHEE
Went for a 2 nights weekend camping trip with my mom and my dog. The overall camp ground is very nice, the ranger host is friendly and helpful. There are multiple restrooms and trash dumpsters throughout the whole site so you never have to walk super far. They even offer firewood to purchase at the entrance in case you forget to stock or run out.
The camp site is very well equipped with picnic table, fire pit, and a separate barbeque rack too. Our site #8 is very nice with plenty shades and flat ground for tent surrounded by trees (nice privacy). A few down sides of our spot: 1) It's super close to the road and the passing car noise is very loud. There weren't many cars drive pass so it didn't both us too much. But occasionally there were race cars/motorcycles that have particularly loud engine :/ although my mom thought the passing car sound may scare off animals that try to come to our space lol. 2) In the morning there were lots of flies and bees and it's quite annoying when cooking breakfast. The bug situation is not so bad the rest of the day. 3) this spot is rather close to a group camp spot, and unfortunately there were many young kids in that spot during our stay and there were a lot of screaming and crying (late at night too)... so be warned when picking a site close to a big one, chances are there will be children, as it seems like this camp ground is popular for families with kids at least for the weekend we were there. Overall a great camp ground and good for ppl with little camping experience too. but prob not ideal for those looking for a quiet getaway deep in the nature.
Laura W
VerifiedAugust 10, 2022 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: WHEE
Went for a 2 nights weekend camping trip with my mom and my dog. The overall camp ground is very nice, the ranger host is friendly and helpful. There are multiple restrooms and trash dumpsters throughout the whole site so you never have to walk super far. They even offer firewood to purchase at the entrance in case you forget to stock or run out.
The camp site is very well equipped with picnic table, fire pit, and a separate barbeque rack too. Our site #8 is very nice with plenty shades and flat ground for tent surrounded by trees (nice privacy). A few down sides of our spot: 1) It's super close to the road and the passing car noise is very loud. There weren't many cars drive pass so it didn't both us too much. But occasionally there were race cars/motorcycles that have particularly loud engine :/ although my mom thought the passing car sound may scare off animals that try to come to our space lol. 2) In the morning there were lots of flies and bees and it's quite annoying when cooking breakfast. The bug situation is not so bad the rest of the day. 3) this spot is rather close to a group camp spot, and unfortunately there were many young kids in that spot during our stay and there were a lot of screaming and crying (late at night too)... so be warned when picking a site close to a big one, chances are there will be children, as it seems like this camp ground is popular for families with kids at least for the weekend we were there. Overall a great camp ground and good for ppl with little camping experience too. but prob not ideal for those looking for a quiet getaway deep in the nature.
Laurie M
VerifiedAugust 4, 2022 • Stayed at: 047, Loop: WHEE
Went memorial weekend.. can't complain about the rowdy mama's. Very close to bathroom and road so expect smelly doo doo's and noise but also closer to river and under the road passage to trails. Didn't go further than gut feeling. Would book further away from road next time. No cell service; you'll have to drive towards Ojai to get it. Host sells firewood. A dollar more than what the stores have.
Laurie M
VerifiedAugust 4, 2022 • Stayed at: 047, Loop: WHEE
Went memorial weekend.. can't complain about the rowdy mama's. Very close to bathroom and road so expect smelly doo doo's and noise but also closer to river and under the road passage to trails. Didn't go further than gut feeling. Would book further away from road next time. No cell service; you'll have to drive towards Ojai to get it. Host sells firewood. A dollar more than what the stores have.
Michelle O
VerifiedJuly 31, 2022 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: WHEE
Nice, well-maintained campground. Only issue I had was the location of our campsite (#8) - I understand why it was the last available one for our dates. The campsite was located right next to the highway; cars and motorcycles passing were extremely loud. There was also no barricade on the highway which made us feel a little unsafe.
Location Wheeler Gorge
Address:
1190 E. Ojai Ave.
Ojai, CA, 93023
United States
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. Turn left onto Highway 33 and continue north approximately 8 miles to the campground.
Wheeler Gorge is accessible via Highway 33, which can be reached from Highway 126 or directly from Ventura. The campground is located about 14 miles north of Ventura and about 8 miles north of the intersection of Highway 150 and Highway 33.
Latitude & Longitude: 34.5119 / -119.274
Elevation: 551 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
10PM
- Contact the office via email or website for FAQs.
- Check-in must be completed before the gate closes.
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Utilities
- No water is available; bring your own.
Safety & rules
- Be aware that poison oak may be present.
- It's recommended to use bug spray during warm days.
Site capacity
- Single campsite reservations accommodate 6 people and 1 vehicle.
- Single sites can accommodate up to 8 people and 2 vehicles with additional fees.
- Double sites accommodate 12 people and 2 vehicles with additional fees for extra guests and vehicles.
Local regulations
- Visit the link for more information about Los Padres National Forest.
Fires & fuel
- Buy firewood locally and burn it on-site to protect forests.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 4, 2026
