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
Talan K
VerifiedApril 11, 2021 • Stayed at: 070, Loop: WHEE
Very helpful managers and many good spots.
Ioana M
VerifiedApril 10, 2021 • Stayed at: 065, Loop: WHEE
Campground is in a beautiful location, but hosts are annoyingly keeping the gate closed at all ours and requiring campers to get out of their vehicles to both open and then close the gate. This is particularly annoying when camping solo, as you cannot send a passenger to do the chore.
Also, my site (65) was so close to the bathroom, the bathroom was literally in my site. Maybe with a little better information/pictures, I would have booked a different site.
Ioana M
VerifiedApril 10, 2021 • Stayed at: 065, Loop: WHEE
Campground is in a beautiful location, but hosts are annoyingly keeping the gate closed at all ours and requiring campers to get out of their vehicles to both open and then close the gate. This is particularly annoying when camping solo, as you cannot send a passenger to do the chore.
Also, my site (65) was so close to the bathroom, the bathroom was literally in my site. Maybe with a little better information/pictures, I would have booked a different site.
Jeff L
VerifiedApril 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 039, Loop: WHEE
My 5 year-old son and I camped at Wheeler Gorge in late March and loved everything about the campground. The managers are fantastic and very friendly, there is a creek running through the campground that kids (and grown-ups) can't resist exploring, plenty of shade, and plenty of opportunity for socializing with neighboring campsites or keeping to yourself - it's easy to do whichever one is most appealing to you.
A couple things to note - there is no cell or internet service at this campground, and there is poison ivy/oak *everywhere*. But don't let those things deter you (the lack of cell/internet would probably be a bonus to most people on vacation). The drive up to the campground from the town of Ojai is beautiful, and you know you are somewhere special when you arrive.
We can't wait to go back!
Deborah S
VerifiedApril 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 035, Loop: WHEE
Location, location, location! Quick drive north from LA! Creek side sites snuggled within the mountains surrounded by a starry night sky. The camp hosts really go out of their way to answer questions, offer tips, and make the stay enjoyable for all!! Lovely retreat!!
Jeff L
VerifiedApril 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 039, Loop: WHEE
My 5 year-old son and I camped at Wheeler Gorge in late March and loved everything about the campground. The managers are fantastic and very friendly, there is a creek running through the campground that kids (and grown-ups) can't resist exploring, plenty of shade, and plenty of opportunity for socializing with neighboring campsites or keeping to yourself - it's easy to do whichever one is most appealing to you.
A couple things to note - there is no cell or internet service at this campground, and there is poison ivy/oak *everywhere*. But don't let those things deter you (the lack of cell/internet would probably be a bonus to most people on vacation). The drive up to the campground from the town of Ojai is beautiful, and you know you are somewhere special when you arrive.
We can't wait to go back!
Deborah S
VerifiedApril 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 035, Loop: WHEE
Location, location, location! Quick drive north from LA! Creek side sites snuggled within the mountains surrounded by a starry night sky. The camp hosts really go out of their way to answer questions, offer tips, and make the stay enjoyable for all!! Lovely retreat!!
Richard D
VerifiedApril 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: WHEE
We have two young kids and the creek holds endless hours of fun for them. If you're in a similar situation I recommend picking a site close to the water and enjoying the hours of exploration and fun. Also a great area to learn about poison oak because there's a lot of it! Mosquitoes are also abound so be prepared. Every camp host we've engaged with has been great... Randy, Shane, Evette... helpful and approachable. Site 71 is close to the road but still awesome and site 18 is a bit rocky but has excellent creek access. Looking forward to trying a site farther up into the loop next time we camp here.
Richard D
VerifiedApril 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: WHEE
We have two young kids and the creek holds endless hours of fun for them. If you're in a similar situation I recommend picking a site close to the water and enjoying the hours of exploration and fun. Also a great area to learn about poison oak because there's a lot of it! Mosquitoes are also abound so be prepared. Every camp host we've engaged with has been great... Randy, Shane, Evette... helpful and approachable. Site 71 is close to the road but still awesome and site 18 is a bit rocky but has excellent creek access. Looking forward to trying a site farther up into the loop next time we camp here.
Phuong N
VerifiedApril 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 051, Loop: WHEE
The host was very friendly, and the campground was quiet and spacious. The bathroom was clean. We hiked along the creek and it was a very fun experience.
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
