Skip to content
Wheeler Gorge Campground in California
Moderate to BookNational Forest

Wheeler Gorge Campground

Los Padres National Forest, California

Sold out? We check Wheeler Gorge Campground for cancellations and email you the moment a site opens.

Sold out for your dates?

Free to start. Email alerts included.

As of October 2026, Wheeler Gorge Campground is a campground in Los Padres National Forest, California with 63 campsites. Wheeler Gorge Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Wheeler Gorge Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • Wheeler Gorge Campground is located at 34.5119ยฐ N, 119.2736ยฐ W.
people allowed on 59 of 63 sites
8
people allowed on each of the 4 largest sites
16

Wheeler Gorge Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Next Available Dates

Oct 2 (4 sites)Oct 3 (4 sites)Oct 4 (43 sites)

4 sites open on Oct 2 at Wheeler Gorge Campground. Book one now, or pick your dates above and get an alert when a site opens.

As of 30 September 2026, 06:03 UTC.

Stay and booking rules

  • Maximum consecutive stay: 15 consecutive days

Published by Recreation.gov for Wheeler Gorge Campground, read on September 29, 2026.

Campsites at Wheeler Gorge Campground

  • Standard 63
  • Accessible 4

What an RV fits

  • 15 ft5 sites
  • 20 ft28 sites
  • 22 ft2 sites
  • 24 ft1 site
  • 25 ft13 sites
  • 26 ft1 site
  • 30 ft9 sites
  • 32 ft1 site
  • 40 ft1 site
  • 45 ft2 sites

Amenities

  • restrooms
  • potable water

At a glance: Setting: Mountain ยท Access: Paved road.

Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, photography.

All sites at Wheeler Gorge Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Every site is in the WHEE loop.

SiteTypeSleepsMax RVAccess
002Standard826 ftAccessible
003Standard820 ft-
004/005Standard1625 ft-
006Standard830 ft-
007Standard820 ft-
008Standard822 ft-
009/010Standard1630 ft-
011Standard832 ft-
012Standard820 ft-
013Standard820 ft-
014Standard820 ft-
015Standard820 ftAccessible
016Standard820 ftAccessible
017Standard815 ft-
018Standard840 ft-
019Standard820 ft-
020Standard815 ft-
021Standard820 ft-
022Standard825 ft-
023Standard830 ft-
024Standard825 ft-
025Standard825 ft-
026Standard825 ft-
027Standard825 ft-
028Standard825 ft-
029Standard815 ft-
031Standard1625 ft-
035Standard820 ft-
036Standard1620 ft-
038Standard820 ft-
039Standard830 ft-
040Standard820 ft-
SiteTypeSleepsMax RVAccess
041Standard824 ft-
042Standard822 ft-
043Standard820 ft-
044Standard825 ft-
045Standard830 ft-
046Standard820 ft-
047Standard845 ft-
048Standard820 ft-
049Standard830 ft-
050Standard830 ft-
051Standard825 ft-
052Standard825 ft-
053Standard820 ft-
054Standard820 ft-
055Standard820 ftAccessible
056Standard815 ft-
057Standard820 ft-
058Standard825 ft-
059Standard820 ft-
060Standard815 ft-
061Standard845 ft-
062Standard830 ft-
063Standard820 ft-
064Standard830 ft-
065Standard820 ft-
066Standard820 ft-
067Standard820 ft-
068Standard820 ft-
069Standard820 ft-
070Standard825 ft-
071Standard820 ft-

About Wheeler Gorge Campground

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.

Rules and notices at Wheeler Gorge Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 29, 2026. Check Wheeler Gorge Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

In order to contact our offices, please use the email: customerservice@pmcparks.com or view our website: CampOne.Com for answers to frequently asked questions.

No water is not available at the campground. Please bring all the drinking and washing water you will need for the length of your stay. There is also no wifi or cell service.

Poison oak may be present in the area

Use of bug spray is encouraged on warm summer days

Gate is locked at 10 p.m.; campsite check-in must be completed prior to closure

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).

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.

Click here for more information on the Los Padres National Forest

Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.

Wheeler Gorge Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Wheeler Gorge Campground?

Wheeler Gorge Campground is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 63 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Wheeler Gorge Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Wheeler Gorge Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Wheeler Gorge Campground have?

Wheeler Gorge Campground has 63 campsites.

More campgrounds in Los Padres National Forest

Same forest, same drive. Set an alert on any of them alongside this one.

All 31 Los Padres National Forest campgrounds

Campgrounds

Browse Campsites

Monitor campsite availability across federal and state parks. Get alerts when sites open up at sold-out campgrounds.

One tick helps us more than youโ€™d think

Google lets you pick the sites it highlights for you. Add PermitSnag and our campground pages get marked as one of yours in AI Overviews and AI Mode.

Add PermitSnag in Google

Takes less than a minute.