CAMPANAC.
U.S. Forest Service · Los Padres National Forest · CA

Wheeler Gorge

Wheeler WaterPhoto · PMC
Not publishedStatus
ReservableAccess
89Sites
45 ftMax rig

The place

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. Keep reading

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.

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

The sites · 89

LoopSiteTypeMax rigElectricADA
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXXmanagement45 ft—
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXX1management——
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXX10management——
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXX11management——
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXX12management——
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXX13management——
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXX14management——
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXX15management——
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXX16management——
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXX17management——
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXX18management——
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXX19management——
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXX2management——
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXX20management——
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXX21management——
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXX3management——
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXX4management——
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXX5management——
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXX6management——
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXX7management——
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXX8management——
AREA WHEELER GORGEXXX9management——
WHEE001management28 ft—
WHEE002standard nonelectric26 ft—yes
WHEE003standard nonelectric20 ft—
WHEE004/005standard nonelectric25 ft—
WHEE006standard nonelectric30 ft—
WHEE007standard nonelectric20 ft—
WHEE008standard nonelectric22 ft—
WHEE009/010standard nonelectric30 ft—
WHEE011standard nonelectric32 ft—
WHEE012standard nonelectric20 ft—
WHEE013standard nonelectric20 ft—
WHEE014standard nonelectric20 ft—
WHEE015standard nonelectric20 ft—yes
WHEE016standard nonelectric20 ft—yes
WHEE017standard nonelectric15 ft—
WHEE018standard nonelectric40 ft—
WHEE019standard nonelectric20 ft—
WHEE020standard nonelectric15 ft—
WHEE021standard nonelectric20 ft—
WHEE022standard nonelectric25 ft—
WHEE023standard nonelectric30 ft—
WHEE024standard nonelectric25 ft—
WHEE025standard nonelectric25 ft—
WHEE026standard nonelectric25 ft—
WHEE027standard nonelectric25 ft—
WHEE028standard nonelectric25 ft—
WHEE029standard nonelectric15 ft—
WHEE031standard nonelectric25 ft—
WHEE032standard nonelectric25 ft—
WHEE033standard nonelectric25 ft—
WHEE034standard nonelectric20 ft—
WHEE035standard nonelectric20 ft—
WHEE036standard nonelectric20 ft—
WHEE038standard nonelectric20 ft—
WHEE039standard nonelectric30 ft—
WHEE040standard nonelectric20 ft—
WHEE041standard nonelectric24 ft—
WHEE042standard nonelectric22 ft—

SHOWING 60 OF 89 SITES

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Booking

183 daysBooking window before arrival

Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.

Book on recreation.gov
SRC · Rules verified against recreation.gov · 2026-08-24

Fees

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.
SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Your representative

This campground sits in CA-26. This member’s public-lands record →

SRC · U.S. Census TIGER · MTJP Scorecard