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
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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
Gerardo G
VerifiedJuly 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: WHEE
Car alarm was off at night for almost 2 hours at night! It was ridiculous. Other people left the campground. Host didn't do anything to fix it. A bunch of trees have cut on site #12. There was pretty much no shade at that site. Ground was not flat to pitch a tent.
Chan J
VerifiedJuly 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 058, Loop: WHEE
Stayed at 58 for 2 nights. Spacious site compared to some others we saw, right by creek, trees to hang couple hammocks and offered shade. Right by bathroom but didn’t smell the bathroom. Access to creek a bit steep but my 6 year old was able to get up and down just fine. Didn’t see poison oak around this site. Site didn’t offer too much privacy but I liked that it was not along the main road through the campground. Neighbor got a visit from the resident bear one evening. One downside is there’s no water at the campground. I got water from creek for washing and cleaning. Overall loved the site and had a great time.
Chan J
VerifiedJuly 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 058, Loop: WHEE
Stayed at 58 for 2 nights. Spacious site compared to some others we saw, right by creek, trees to hang couple hammocks and offered shade. Right by bathroom but didn’t smell the bathroom. Access to creek a bit steep but my 6 year old was able to get up and down just fine. Didn’t see poison oak around this site. Site didn’t offer too much privacy but I liked that it was not along the main road through the campground. Neighbor got a visit from the resident bear one evening. One downside is there’s no water at the campground. I got water from creek for washing and cleaning. Overall loved the site and had a great time.
Yifan W
VerifiedJuly 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 035, Loop: WHEE
The host is a kind woman. Site 35 is private, far from the highway and near the creek.
The fire ring is a little bit small and lots of ashes were retained inside.
BTW, we saw a black bear approaching twice. So be cautious at nightfall and avoid sitting back to the creek where I saw the bear climbing up.
Yifan W
VerifiedJuly 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 035, Loop: WHEE
The host is a kind woman. Site 35 is private, far from the highway and near the creek.
The fire ring is a little bit small and lots of ashes were retained inside.
BTW, we saw a black bear approaching twice. So be cautious at nightfall and avoid sitting back to the creek where I saw the bear climbing up.
Amy O
VerifiedJuly 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 052, Loop: WHEE
DO NOT CAMP AT SITE #52.
We love Wheeler Gorge, but this site was horrible. No redeeming qualities. I'm surprised they pass this area off as a campsite! The entire spot is on a steep slope with large rocks jutting out, no access to the creek, no shade (except a 5'x5' area under bushes covered in bees and poison oak), the highway traffic is loud nearby, and the neighbors are extremely close.
I've camped at Wheeler Gorge before and loved it, but this site is awful. Avoid site #52!
Amy O
VerifiedJuly 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 052, Loop: WHEE
DO NOT CAMP AT SITE #52.
We love Wheeler Gorge, but this site was horrible. No redeeming qualities. I'm surprised they pass this area off as a campsite! The entire spot is on a steep slope with large rocks jutting out, no access to the creek, no shade (except a 5'x5' area under bushes covered in bees and poison oak), the highway traffic is loud nearby, and the neighbors are extremely close.
I've camped at Wheeler Gorge before and loved it, but this site is awful. Avoid site #52!
Rosa W
VerifiedJuly 6, 2021 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: WHEE
There really is no running water. Not even at the creek. I’m sure it’s becoming of the drought. The camping spots are small and not a lot of space for tents
Rosa W
VerifiedJuly 6, 2021 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: WHEE
There really is no running water. Not even at the creek. I’m sure it’s becoming of the drought. The camping spots are small and not a lot of space for tents
Amy G
VerifiedJuly 5, 2021 • Stayed at: 067, Loop: WHEE
Great hosts.
Beware there are lots of mosquitoes here. This could be expected with the proximity to the creek. They are very aggressive. It can also be unexpectedly hot.
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
