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
Josephine T
VerifiedMay 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 031, Loop: WHEE
It was a lot of fun!
Katie Z
VerifiedMay 16, 2021 • Stayed at: 044, Loop: WHEE
I am an avid hiker, backpacker, and camper (and have been since I was a kid). I have been to Wheeler Gorge, off and on, a dozen times.
Perhaps due to this campground being so close to LA and OC is why this campground has gone downhill. Just a short summary:
-the bathrooms were maintained quite well, no complaints there
-there was trash around the sites. My cousins, husband, and I booked two sites. Both of these had candy wrappers, empty water bottles, and toilet paper around the sites (both). I expect nothing more from city slicking hacks, but I would hope the sites would be regularly cleaned prior to the Friday arrivals of these people.
-the noise was ridiculous. A group of women with small kids (and an annoying dog) made noise until 1am Friday night. Clearly not seasoned campers, they did not give a damn for anyone but their own obnoxious, drunk selves. Why are you camping? Why not go to a bar? We moved our tent to another site (the 2nd booked one) for Saturday.
-when I informed the camp hosts, I was told that I should wear earplugs.
I suppose I deserve it for deciding to camp near a large metro area. Never again, unfortunately. The trash, noise, and apathy from the camp hosts should be expected. If you are an inconsiderate loud-mouth drunk, this is a place for you.
Katie Z
VerifiedMay 16, 2021 • Stayed at: 044, Loop: WHEE
I am an avid hiker, backpacker, and camper (and have been since I was a kid). I have been to Wheeler Gorge, off and on, a dozen times.
Perhaps due to this campground being so close to LA and OC is why this campground has gone downhill. Just a short summary:
-the bathrooms were maintained quite well, no complaints there
-there was trash around the sites. My cousins, husband, and I booked two sites. Both of these had candy wrappers, empty water bottles, and toilet paper around the sites (both). I expect nothing more from city slicking hacks, but I would hope the sites would be regularly cleaned prior to the Friday arrivals of these people.
-the noise was ridiculous. A group of women with small kids (and an annoying dog) made noise until 1am Friday night. Clearly not seasoned campers, they did not give a damn for anyone but their own obnoxious, drunk selves. Why are you camping? Why not go to a bar? We moved our tent to another site (the 2nd booked one) for Saturday.
-when I informed the camp hosts, I was told that I should wear earplugs.
I suppose I deserve it for deciding to camp near a large metro area. Never again, unfortunately. The trash, noise, and apathy from the camp hosts should be expected. If you are an inconsiderate loud-mouth drunk, this is a place for you.
Laura V
VerifiedMay 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 060, Loop: WHEE
Beautiful, campsites are far apart so lots of space and the campgrounds are well maintained. Lots of cool hikes/view nearby, recommend driving up to Reyes peak which has an amazing view
Laura V
VerifiedMay 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 060, Loop: WHEE
Beautiful, campsites are far apart so lots of space and the campgrounds are well maintained. Lots of cool hikes/view nearby, recommend driving up to Reyes peak which has an amazing view
Monica A
VerifiedApril 25, 2021 • Stayed at: 067, Loop: WHEE
Really beautiful campgrounds with a gorgeous stream running throughout; we were in campsites 66, 67, and 68, and they were very quiet with close proximity to a small bathroom. Site 67 was definitely larger than the other two, 66 was a bit cramped. Campground hosts would swing by every few hours offering bundles of wood, which is super convenient. Would be smart to bring bug spray though. We would definitely go back!
Tracey L
VerifiedApril 25, 2021 • Stayed at: 062, Loop: WHEE
Gorgeous campground! Just got back from 3 nights at Wheeler Gorge. We stayed in site 62. Monday night was practically empty of other campers and the other nights were very chill as well. We loved that site for many reasons. It's not huge but it's surrounded by foliage so feels private from other sites. You have your own path down to the creek at the back of the site and also an awesome little area perfect for hammocks which we coined the "green room". The path down to the creek is less of an actual path and more of a slightly steep journey down some rocks, so if you have little children it could be a bit treacherous. The creek is so serene and hours of fun can be had trekking up and down it. Lots of birds in the mornings and lots of frog noise at night, but we loved it! The only things that weren't perfect were that the area around the fire pit was rocky so you have to navigate that with chairs and walking in the dark, also there is really only one area to pitch your tent. We were able to fit two 3-person tents side by side. There is some Poison Oak growing all around as well but it's pretty easy to avoid. Might be harder for dogs or small children. Bathrooms were close (but not too close) and clean enough for pit toilets. There is no cell service at all but a short 10-minute drive down the hill gets you connected. We love Wheeler Gorge and had an amazing time.
Emily S
VerifiedApril 25, 2021 • Stayed at: 061, Loop: WHEE
We loved Wheeler Gorge. We stayed at site 61 which had access to the creek where we brought down our hammock and chairs for absolute bliss sitting by the water reading.
Spencer K
VerifiedApril 25, 2021 • Stayed at: 042, Loop: WHEE
Had spot 42. Brought my 1.5 year old. Hung lights on the big live oak tree in the middle of the site. Lots of flat space at this site to set up a larger tent. We brought a 9 person tent with a foot print of about 18’x9’ . It fit perfectly under the tree. The camp host crew were great. Firewood is $10 a bundle so if you intend to spend an extra $80-100 on the weekend bring your own firewood. We were there mid April and the bugs were not bad. We felt comfortable enough to leave for a few hours with our site unattended because of the way the campground is laid out and the seemingly secure front gate. No issues there. Good spot for your family.
Monica A
VerifiedApril 25, 2021 • Stayed at: 067, Loop: WHEE
Really beautiful campgrounds with a gorgeous stream running throughout; we were in campsites 66, 67, and 68, and they were very quiet with close proximity to a small bathroom. Site 67 was definitely larger than the other two, 66 was a bit cramped. Campground hosts would swing by every few hours offering bundles of wood, which is super convenient. Would be smart to bring bug spray though. We would definitely go back!
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 13, 2026
