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
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
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
cole m
VerifiedJuly 17, 2022 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: WHEE
Didn’t interact with campground staff more than entering and the occasional wave. Campground was fairly clean with a good amount of dumpsters and bathrooms. Wildlife here due to the normally flowing stream. Keep it clean and do not litter.
Hannah G
VerifiedJuly 17, 2022 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: WHEE
A great site!
Hannah G
VerifiedJuly 17, 2022 • Stayed at: 025, Loop: WHEE
I have driven past Wheeler Gorge Campground more times than I can count, and I finally booked two sites here for a family camping trip. I was super impressed. Sites 25 and 26 are great to book if you want two sites that are right next to each other and have walk through access. The hosts kept the campground clean and the restrooms (vault toilets) were not smelly at all. There is plenty of shade from the beautiful oak trees, and the creek running through the campsite is so peaceful and beautiful. I will definitely book here again.
kat s
VerifiedJuly 14, 2022 • Stayed at: 064, Loop: WHEE
Wheeler Gorge continues to be one of my all-time favorite campsites to frequent in southern California. The close proximity to "civilization" (such as the town of Ojai, and also Los Angeles where I am travelling from) is excellent for accessibility, yet the campground is also far enough away to feel secluded and like you're camping in the middle of nowhere. The campsite host was extremely friendly and helpful, the facilities are kept in good condition, and the fellow campers always seem to be very respectful of quiet hours and other campers. Being able to sleep under the stars next to a gorge nestled in the mountains/forest makes this place a must see/stay!
Deirdre H
VerifiedJuly 14, 2022 • Stayed at: 038, Loop: WHEE
It was nice, but as a child-free couple with a site near the creek, it was pretty loud with kid’s yelling and hollering and having a great time. I’m not against it, and that’s my bad for booking a spot in such a family friendly campground, it just was … you know … loud. But if you have kids, it sounds like a fun place for them!
Beware though, lots of poison oak (like - LOTS). My husband came home with a rash on his neck, even though we thought we had avoided it entirely …
Overall though, clean campground with great camp hosts who were regularly patrolling the grounds. Vault toilets were clean and there are a few dumpsters throughout the grounds to throw out your trash. No cell service, but our Starlink for RVs service worked relatively well, given the tree cover and the fact we’re in a gorge.
kat s
VerifiedJuly 14, 2022 • Stayed at: 064, Loop: WHEE
Wheeler Gorge continues to be one of my all-time favorite campsites to frequent in southern California. The close proximity to "civilization" (such as the town of Ojai, and also Los Angeles where I am travelling from) is excellent for accessibility, yet the campground is also far enough away to feel secluded and like you're camping in the middle of nowhere. The campsite host was extremely friendly and helpful, the facilities are kept in good condition, and the fellow campers always seem to be very respectful of quiet hours and other campers. Being able to sleep under the stars next to a gorge nestled in the mountains/forest makes this place a must see/stay!
Deirdre H
VerifiedJuly 14, 2022 • Stayed at: 038, Loop: WHEE
It was nice, but as a child-free couple with a site near the creek, it was pretty loud with kid’s yelling and hollering and having a great time. I’m not against it, and that’s my bad for booking a spot in such a family friendly campground, it just was … you know … loud. But if you have kids, it sounds like a fun place for them!
Beware though, lots of poison oak (like - LOTS). My husband came home with a rash on his neck, even though we thought we had avoided it entirely …
Overall though, clean campground with great camp hosts who were regularly patrolling the grounds. Vault toilets were clean and there are a few dumpsters throughout the grounds to throw out your trash. No cell service, but our Starlink for RVs service worked relatively well, given the tree cover and the fact we’re in a gorge.
Reyna G
VerifiedJuly 12, 2022 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: WHEE
Very quiet and we went on 4th of July and got to see fireworks at a near by high school.
Reyna G
VerifiedJuly 12, 2022 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: WHEE
Very quiet and we went on 4th of July and got to see fireworks at a near by high school.
Kaili Y
VerifiedJuly 11, 2022 • Stayed at: 060, Loop: WHEE
not far away from Ojai. Enough shade. nice environment. There is a fire stove, stone desk, bench, and BBQ stove. You can buy firewood from the entrance. Be prepared there is no signal and water.
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
