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
- View
Report Incorrect Information
Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Wheeler Gorge.
Rates, Sites & Availability
63 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
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.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
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
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.
Sheri C
VerifiedJuly 2, 2021 • Stayed at: 058, Loop: WHEE
Campgrounds and bathrooms were clean. The first camp host was helpful but the replacement was never seen. There were faucets but the water was turned off which made a multiple day trip a little tricky.
Sheri C
VerifiedJuly 2, 2021 • Stayed at: 058, Loop: WHEE
Campgrounds and bathrooms were clean. The first camp host was helpful but the replacement was never seen. There were faucets but the water was turned off which made a multiple day trip a little tricky.
Susan W
VerifiedJune 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: WHEE
The last time I went to Wheeler Gorge was when I was a small child- about 40 years ago- so I didn't really know what to expect. We had site #12, which is very close to the creek. The site itself is one of the larger sites there, with partial shade. A canopy is recommended if you choose this site. The camp hosts were very welcoming and helpful. Despite the restrooms being pit toilets, they were pleasantly clean and the odor did not waft across the campground. The creek was low, but we were still able to find a neat spot where the water went up to my knees. The kids enjoyed the water and playing with the rocks. We had a nightly skunk visitor in our site, which was kind of fun, as I'd never seen a living skunk in person. No spraying, thank goodness! The little guy was just passing through. Our camp neighbors had a visit from the resident bear one night, but it was chased off rather quickly. We never got a chance to see him. At night you can hear the soothing chirps of the crickets, and then a little later in the night, you can hear some frogs croaking. The highway is quite close to the campground, so passing cars and motorcycles can be heard throughout the day and night. We were well prepared with our own drinking water, having known ahead of time that the water faucets were no longer in service. There are no dead tree branches on the ground to use for firewood, so bring your own or purchase a bundle from the camp hosts. I think they were $10 a bundle. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon and left Wednesday morning and I think those few days was the right amount of time to camp in Wheeler Gorge. Overall, it was a wonderful experience and I can see us visiting there again.
Susan W
VerifiedJune 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: WHEE
The last time I went to Wheeler Gorge was when I was a small child- about 40 years ago- so I didn't really know what to expect. We had site #12, which is very close to the creek. The site itself is one of the larger sites there, with partial shade. A canopy is recommended if you choose this site. The camp hosts were very welcoming and helpful. Despite the restrooms being pit toilets, they were pleasantly clean and the odor did not waft across the campground. The creek was low, but we were still able to find a neat spot where the water went up to my knees. The kids enjoyed the water and playing with the rocks. We had a nightly skunk visitor in our site, which was kind of fun, as I'd never seen a living skunk in person. No spraying, thank goodness! The little guy was just passing through. Our camp neighbors had a visit from the resident bear one night, but it was chased off rather quickly. We never got a chance to see him. At night you can hear the soothing chirps of the crickets, and then a little later in the night, you can hear some frogs croaking. The highway is quite close to the campground, so passing cars and motorcycles can be heard throughout the day and night. We were well prepared with our own drinking water, having known ahead of time that the water faucets were no longer in service. There are no dead tree branches on the ground to use for firewood, so bring your own or purchase a bundle from the camp hosts. I think they were $10 a bundle. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon and left Wednesday morning and I think those few days was the right amount of time to camp in Wheeler Gorge. Overall, it was a wonderful experience and I can see us visiting there again.
Frank P
VerifiedJune 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: WHEE
A very nice campground. Variety of campsites for all sizes from tent to large RV. Easy to search for available sites when reserving . Most spots are nicely spaced and have shade. Friendly hosts.
No cell service, but close to Ojai for signal, shopping etc. Great hiking and scenic drives nearby.
Frank P
VerifiedJune 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: WHEE
A very nice campground. Variety of campsites for all sizes from tent to large RV. Easy to search for available sites when reserving . Most spots are nicely spaced and have shade. Friendly hosts.
No cell service, but close to Ojai for signal, shopping etc. Great hiking and scenic drives nearby.
Claire G
VerifiedJune 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 031, Loop: WHEE
We love this campground and always enjoy coming here. The new camp hosts are great, too.
Claire G
VerifiedJune 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 031, Loop: WHEE
We love this campground and always enjoy coming here. The new camp hosts are great, too.
dana h
VerifiedJune 19, 2021 • Stayed at: 044, Loop: WHEE
The hosts were amazing and helpful! Beautiful campground! Well maintained! We are totally coming back for sure, we had to move sites after the first night because we were only able to book one night... And all the First comes were full too. However we got lucky and the host were able to hook us up with a site that someone canceled same day for a friend. WE GOT LUCKY!
The only thing that SUCKS is that half the sites said booked on the placard... But had no one in them! It's not the campgrounds fault but the system of cancelations is rough. The said they were fully booked and in reality on about 75% full. Soooo moral of the story. Cancel your reservations early if you know you can't go. Don't be those people. 😳
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
