Wheeler Gorge Campground - Ojai, California

Bryce H.

This was a pretty good camp trip, as some spots opened up at the last minute and I snagged whatever was available. There are many good sites for tent camp, with a couple of exceptions (there always are), and what I'd consider some decent small trailer sights (no way you get me to camp in a tent on that slope.

One half of the camp is closer to the highway, which didn't see heavy traffic, although we did get a couple of motorcyclists who played down the hammer on the straight aways during the day. This didn't bother me too much but I'd like to try a site on the other side of camp to see if it's less noticeable next trip.

It's a dry camp so it's pit toilets and bring your own water, which was not a problem for us. The bathrooms were cleaned regularly so I didn't encounter any problems there.

Camp host was a nice younger couple who we saw and spoke with several times, and they were selling wood bundles from their site.

Overall a gorgeous area, with a beautiful creek running through the middle, which I'm sure dries up later in the summer, but added a nice babbling brook background noise to camp. People were the water in camp and up and down the highway that parallels the creek/river bed.

My last thoughts here are that I could definitely see this place being way too hot in the summer. If Ojai is too hot in the upper 80's and into the 90's then it's probably going to be HOT up in the gorge, and also probably no camp fires. At that point what's the use of camping?

Our trip wasn't very "buggy", but come prepared with some spray or protection as I could see there might be times of the year it could be. Plus bring some protection since you could easily lose track of time hanging about camp or walking around, or at the creek, and get burned.

Also stay vigilant of poison oak, it's not everywhere but there were places it was patchy and could be a problem with pets or kids if they wandered "off trail" and didn't know what to look for.

Clark V.

We were at Wheeler Gorge from 5-18-25 thru 5-20-25. The location is amaxing. We loved the oaks, the creek and the whole feel of the location. Despite being close to hwy 33, the place had a quiet and tranquil vibe.

One word of caution, though. We made plans to meet some friends there with our trailer. We had never been there before so we checked out their site, which said they can accept up to 45'. This is not true. Our trailer is 34' and our friends trailer is 24'. We reserved spot 47 (beautiful spot), but we could not exit the campground without sustaining damage. The angle from the 47 loop and the exit pits you against a high oak overhang on the left and a tall forward rock on the right. I wouldnt recommend a trailer longer than 24' for comfirtable ingress or exit.

Despite the issues with our trailer, our trip was hivhlighted by the camp host Andrew. Andrew was exceedingly helpful and attentive. Great guy!

Sean M.

This was a great place to camp. There was a fun little trail. We were in spot 47 and it was quiet and close to the restroom and not far from the trail and stream. If i could choose again I would get spot 47

Angelina L.

I went the first week of February. It was extremely cold and windy so prepare properly if you plan on camping around then. l'd recommend extra stakes for your tent. The bathrooms smelled clean enough for being a campground bathroom. There were no lights or sinks in the bathrooms. The sites don’t have working spigots. They also sell fire wood at the sites.
Site 27 is bigger than the other sites, has easy access to the creek and a lot of shade. The site also comes with a fire pit grill and a bbq grill. It is however right next to the highway and a turn out so a lot of cars are constantly driving by and the site was uneven and there wasn’t much flat surface for a tent.

Tei T.

Great campground for a winter camping. Very quiet and warm. Has less fire restrictions than near by state parks. Was able to make wood fire. Select sites have decent design with accessible firering; however, majority of the sites have flaws including being too close to the road (all sites by the roads will have cars passing by them constantly), uneven ground, firering blocked by large boulder, and extremely small site.

Many sites do have great access to the river. I'd imagine it would be great for a family with kids if you can get those sites in the summer.

The campground have no running water. The bathrooms also don't have light even though they have a solar lights installed on every bathrooms, they are broken.

The camp host buys firewood by pallets and sells at $10 which is about 2 times the price so I suggest bringing your own.

Stephanie M.

We just came back from the most romantic and peaceful vacation ever. We were so lucky to have snagged camp site #13. Amazing creek right at our feet, huge site amd well maintained. Camp ranger was super helpful and accommodating, especially when we had decided to play hooky on Monday and stay and extra night. It was that wonderful of a place. Bathrooms were clean and plentiful. We can’t wait to return!

jan D.

A big shout out to the camp hosts Juana and Alex - they made our first stay at this camp spectacular!
The place was very clean and well maintained. We appreciated how welcoming and available the hosts were. In the evening they would come around with their cart full of firewood and they tried to accommodate the various campsite requests. The roads could use repair and I would have loved tap water- but the bathrooms were kept very clean and properly stocked. The location and stream running through camp is absolutely perfect! 💯 recommend this campground!

Kivanc B.

We stayed at this campground memorial day weekend, it was beautiful. Well kept campground, many sites by river or close to. First i thought no running water might be a problem but since there is a river i brought a container with me and filled from river for dishes and hand wash. Bring drinking water with you and you are good. Its pretty close to town incase you need anything. Its dog friendly and many families staying here when we visit, we felt safe.