Wheeler Gorge

Campground · California · 66 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Los Padres National Forest (NF) · Open Access

66
Bookable sites
45 ft
Max rig length
up to 16
People per site
4
Accessible sites
1,806 ft
Elevation
Wheeler Water
Photo: PMC · Recreation.gov

Overview

Wheeler Gorge Campground is a great place for families to explore the Los Padres National Forest all year long. Informative tours of the area are led by forest rangers at the nearby visitor center. The campground provides scenic views of a nearby stream, as well as vast mountain vistas.

Recreation

The Wheeler Gorge Nature Trail begins at the upper end of the campground. It is a relatively short loop that leads through thick vegetation along the creek banks and to a hillside view of the area. Wildflowers often bloom along the path.

The creek flows near some of the campsites and a small swimming hole is frequented near the side of the highway. Fishing is rough in the area and may produce a catch of trout, but the stream is not stocked. Kayaking or canoeing in the creek is not recommended.

Educational programs, including ranger-led hikes, are offered year-round.

Facilities

The campground is open year-round and offers dozens of single-family sites for tent or RV camping. Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking spurs are paved and vary in length, accommodating RVs up to 35 feet.

Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets are provided, but drinking water is not available. Visitors must bring their own water, and remove their trash from the campground.

Natural Features

The campground is adjacent to Matilija Creek, and is bordered by a mixed forest of oak and sycamore trees and evergreen shrubbery. Most sites are shaded and summer temperatures reach up to 95 degrees.

The campground was originally built by Boy Scouts nearly a century ago, as well as a historical stone home that is also on-site.

Nearby Attractions

Ventura and the Pacific Ocean are about 20 miles south of the campground.

The facts

  • 66 bookable sites
  • 89 sites in total, including non-bookable
  • 4 accessible sites
  • Vehicles up to 45 ft
  • Up to 16 people per site
  • Loops: AREA WHEELER GORGE, WHEE

Site types

  • 66 Standard Nonelectric
  • 23 Management

Amenities

  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

89 campsites at Wheeler Gorge

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
XXXAREA WHEELER GORGEManagementBack InGravel45 ft8
XXX1AREA WHEELER GORGEManagement————
XXX10AREA WHEELER GORGEManagement————
XXX11AREA WHEELER GORGEManagement————
XXX12AREA WHEELER GORGEManagement————
XXX13AREA WHEELER GORGEManagement————
XXX14AREA WHEELER GORGEManagement————
XXX15AREA WHEELER GORGEManagement————
XXX16AREA WHEELER GORGEManagement————
XXX17AREA WHEELER GORGEManagement————
XXX18AREA WHEELER GORGEManagement————
XXX19AREA WHEELER GORGEManagement————
XXX2AREA WHEELER GORGEManagement————
XXX20AREA WHEELER GORGEManagement————
XXX21AREA WHEELER GORGEManagement————
XXX3AREA WHEELER GORGEManagement————
XXX4AREA WHEELER GORGEManagement————
XXX5AREA WHEELER GORGEManagement————
XXX6AREA WHEELER GORGEManagement————
XXX7AREA WHEELER GORGEManagement————
XXX8AREA WHEELER GORGEManagement————
XXX9AREA WHEELER GORGEManagement————
001WHEEManagementPull ThroughPaved28 ft8 🐾
002WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved26 ft8♿ 🐾
003WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
004/005WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft16 🐾
006WHEEStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPaved30 ft8 🐾
007WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
008WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved22 ft8 🐾
009/010WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved30 ft16 🐾
011WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved32 ft8 🐾
012WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
013WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
014WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
015WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8♿ 🐾
016WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8♿ 🐾
017WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved15 ft8 🐾
018WHEEStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPaved40 ft8 🐾
019WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
020WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved15 ft8 🐾
021WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
022WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft8 🐾
023WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft8 🐾
024WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft8 🐾
025WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft8 🐾
026WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft8 🐾
027WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft8 🐾
028WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft8 🐾
029WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved15 ft8 🐾
031WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft16 🐾
032WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft8 🐾
033WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft8 🐾
034WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
035WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
036WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft16 🐾
038WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
039WHEEStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPaved30 ft8 🐾
040WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
041WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved24 ft8 🐾
042WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved22 ft8 🐾
043WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
044WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft8 🐾
045WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved30 ft8 🐾
046WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
047WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved45 ft8 🐾
048WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
049WHEEStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPaved30 ft8 🐾
050WHEEStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPaved30 ft8 🐾
051WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft8 🐾
052WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft8 🐾
053WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
054WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
055WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8♿ 🐾
056WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved15 ft8 🐾
057WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
058WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft8 🐾
059WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
060WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved15 ft8 🐾
061WHEEStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPaved45 ft8 🐾
062WHEEStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPaved30 ft8 🐾
063WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
064WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved30 ft8 🐾
065WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
066WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
067WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
068WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
069WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
070WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft8 🐾
071WHEEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾

Getting there

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.

34.51194, -119.27361 · 34°30'43.0"N 119°16'25.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 91°F in Aug, down to 65°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F666770747782899188817365
Low °F353639414650545451453733
Precip in5.15.23.41.10.50.10.10.00.10.81.32.9

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Single Sites: All single campsite reservations are good for 6 people and 1 vehicle. Maximum number of people per single site is 8 ($10.00 additional charge per person per night after 6 people). Maximum number of vehicles per single site is 2 ($10.00 additional charge for 2nd vehicle per night). Double Sites: All double campsite reservations are good for 12 people and 2 vehicles. Maximum number of people per double site is 16 ($10.00 additional charge person per night after 12 people). Maximum Number of vehicles per double site is 4 ($10.00 additional charge per vehicle per night after 2 vehicles). Extra Vehicle and person fees will be charged at the facility.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

More photos

Wheeler
Photo: PMC · Recreation.gov
WHEELER GORGE RIVER
Photo: PMC · Recreation.gov

Member photos

Common questions about Wheeler Gorge

Can you reserve a site at Wheeler Gorge?
Yes, Wheeler Gorge is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Wheeler Gorge have?
89 sites in total, of which 66 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Wheeler Gorge?
45 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Wheeler Gorge?
Yes, pets are allowed at Wheeler Gorge.

Also listed by

Wheeler Gorge also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Wheeler Gorge's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • Single site (6-8 people) $35/night. Double site $60/night. Extra vehicle fee $10.00/night. Day use parking within the campground is $10.00 per vehicle. Call (805) 646-4348 or (805) 968-6640 Monday-Friday, 8-4:30 for more information.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Wheeler Gorge

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.