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
Rachel E
VerifiedAugust 28, 2020 • Stayed at: 065, Loop: WHEE
Great campground, with clean bathrooms, kind hosts, and wonderful background noise of the creek. Recommend choosing a site away from the road, as cars kept waking us up. Must see Rose Valley falls, which had a beautiful trickle of water even in late summer.
Jeffrey G
VerifiedAugust 27, 2020 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: WHEE
This place is a case study in have's and have not's. Some sites are located right on the creek, spacious as they are idyllic. Other sights are located off the creek in awkwardly compact arrangements. I was in the latter. The compactness of these sites would be more bearable if they were not located so closely together. I had two neighbors adjacent to me, one of whom I didn't have a barrier with to declare where our site ended and their's began. It's teeny, it's tiny, prepare for this possibility and you won't be as disappointed as I was.
Once the sardine effect wore off though, we got to enjoying the campsite area. The creak was fantastic, and there are a few areas of it that run around 3 feet deep. It can be very easy to spend the entire time in the creak and never leave the campsite. However, the site is a 30 min drive to beautiful trails and other hiking destinations that make it enjoyable.
There is no running water at this site, so bring plenty of water to wash your hands and drink. Town is a 30 min round trip away and provides ice and water jug refills (IT GETS HOT)
All in all, this was a fine site, especially on such short notice. If I were to ever return though, I would definitely research my site before doing so.
Jeffrey G
VerifiedAugust 27, 2020 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: WHEE
This place is a case study in have's and have not's. Some sites are located right on the creek, spacious as they are idyllic. Other sights are located off the creek in awkwardly compact arrangements. I was in the latter. The compactness of these sites would be more bearable if they were not located so closely together. I had two neighbors adjacent to me, one of whom I didn't have a barrier with to declare where our site ended and their's began. It's teeny, it's tiny, prepare for this possibility and you won't be as disappointed as I was.
Once the sardine effect wore off though, we got to enjoying the campsite area. The creak was fantastic, and there are a few areas of it that run around 3 feet deep. It can be very easy to spend the entire time in the creak and never leave the campsite. However, the site is a 30 min drive to beautiful trails and other hiking destinations that make it enjoyable.
There is no running water at this site, so bring plenty of water to wash your hands and drink. Town is a 30 min round trip away and provides ice and water jug refills (IT GETS HOT)
All in all, this was a fine site, especially on such short notice. If I were to ever return though, I would definitely research my site before doing so.
Wes L
VerifiedAugust 23, 2020 • Stayed at: 047, Loop: WHEE
Wes L
VerifiedAugust 23, 2020 • Stayed at: 047, Loop: WHEE
Monica Jaye H
VerifiedAugust 19, 2020 • Stayed at: 060, Loop: WHEE
Beautiful space, the water is the best part. There was a bear on our campsite and we were made aware upon arrival but what they didn’t mention was the bear was frequenting the exact campsite we were on which they didn’t mention till Saturday. Was a bit scary lucking we had just put our food away. Overall great campsite.
Laura W
VerifiedAugust 19, 2020 • Stayed at: 004/005, Loop: WHEE
We camped at the 4/5 double site and it was great. Close to the stream, plenty of shade. Conveniently located close enough to the trash bin and bathrooms but far enough that you couldn't smell either. Only downside was that there was a lot of poison oak in the area, watch out. Bring a bathing suit and water shoes! Tons of tadpoles. Good hiking in the area. Dog friendly.
Laurel H
VerifiedAugust 19, 2020 • Stayed at: 047, Loop: WHEE
I really enjoyed the location. Easy hikes, quiet at night with the sounds of the water from the creek. We spent the afternoon with our folding chairs in the creek. Very relaxing. I would give this 5 stars except we had a terrible spot, right next to the toilets during an 100 degree weekend and the lack of showers. There’s a nice place to put your tent behind the parking and away from the toilet but you can smell it when the wind blows. Check out the map before choosing your spot. Will definitely go again
Monica Jaye H
VerifiedAugust 19, 2020 • Stayed at: 060, Loop: WHEE
Beautiful space, the water is the best part. There was a bear on our campsite and we were made aware upon arrival but what they didn’t mention was the bear was frequenting the exact campsite we were on which they didn’t mention till Saturday. Was a bit scary lucking we had just put our food away. Overall great campsite.
Laura W
VerifiedAugust 19, 2020 • Stayed at: 004/005, Loop: WHEE
We camped at the 4/5 double site and it was great. Close to the stream, plenty of shade. Conveniently located close enough to the trash bin and bathrooms but far enough that you couldn't smell either. Only downside was that there was a lot of poison oak in the area, watch out. Bring a bathing suit and water shoes! Tons of tadpoles. Good hiking in the area. Dog friendly.
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 3, 2026
