Wheeler Gorge
Wheeler Gorge is a national forest campground in California. Hookups: no hookups.
- Type
- National forest campground
- Location
- California
- Coordinates
- 34.51194, -119.27361
- Hookups
- No hookups
- Activities
- Biking, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Swimming Site
- Map
- Open in OpenStreetMap
- Phone
- 805-434-1996
Amenities
- Reservable sites
Only amenities a source confirms are listed; an amenity missing here is unknown, not absent.
About Wheeler Gorge
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 shru
Cell coverage
No coverage data for this location yet.
Nearby RV services
- Dump station
- Lake Casitas Recreation Area · 7.5 mi
- Water fill
- None mapped within 50 mi
- Propane
- Don's Gas / Market · 28 mi
- Low clearances
- None mapped within 10 mi
- Off-road routes
- 18 designated routes (63 mi) within 10 mi
Other places to stay nearby
| Name | Type | Distance | Fee | Hookups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeler Gorge Campground | Private campground | under 0.1 mi | — | — |
| Holiday Group Campground | National forest group campground | 0.4 mi | — | No hookups |
| Holiday Group Campground | Private campground | 0.4 mi | — | — |
| Middle Matilija Camp | Private campground | 4.6 mi | — | — |
| Rose Valley Campground | Private campground | 5.4 mi | — | — |
| Rose Valley Campground | National forest campground | 5.4 mi | — | No hookups |
Open Wheeler Gorge in DryRig
Save it offline, check your rig's clearance on the drive in, and see what's nearby on the map.
Sources. USFS and BLM recreation sites, USFS and BLM recreation sites, Recreation.gov (RIDB). Updated June 2026. Facility facts only; DryRig does not publish ratings or reviews on this page.