Ojai Ranger District

The Ojai area includes the Matilija Wilderness and part of the Sespe Wilderness. The Sespe Creek Wild and Scenic River crosses this area.

At a Glance

Fees:	An Adventure Pass is needed to park at the Piedra Blanca Trailhead. The Adventure Pass is sold at most Big 5 Sporting Goods stores and other outdoor recreation stores in Southern California. The campgrounds on the Ojai Ranger District are managed by the Parks Management Management Company for the Forest Service. Fees for campsites are $30/night. More information about the Parks Management Company. Reservations are highly recommended for weekends, holidays and summer months. Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov.
Information Center:	Ojai Ranger Station (805) 646-4348.

Fees:

An Adventure Pass is needed to park at the Piedra Blanca Trailhead. The Adventure Pass is sold at most Big 5 Sporting Goods stores and other outdoor recreation stores in Southern California. The campgrounds on the Ojai Ranger District are managed by the Parks Management Management Company for the Forest Service. Fees for campsites are $30/night. More information about the Parks Management Company. Reservations are highly recommended for weekends, holidays and summer months. Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov.

Information Center:

Ojai Ranger Station (805) 646-4348.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Campground Camping

Areas for Campground Camping at Ojai Ranger District

Group Camping

Areas for Group Camping at Ojai Ranger District

Holiday Group Campground

River and Stream Fishing

Areas for River and Stream Fishing at Ojai Ranger District

Day Hiking

Areas for Day Hiking at Ojai Ranger District

Backpacking

Areas for Backpacking at Ojai Ranger District

Big Game Hunting

Small Game Hunting

OHV Camping

Areas for OHV Camping at Ojai Ranger District

Nordhoff Ridge Road

OHV Open Area Riding

Areas for OHV Open Area Riding at Ojai Ranger District

Nordhoff Ridge Road

OHV Road Riding

Areas for OHV Road Riding at Ojai Ranger District

Nordhoff Ridge Road

Visitor Centers

The Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center is located 8 miles north of Ojai on Highway 33 and is the first dedicated Visitor Center in the almost 100 year history of the Los Padres National Forest. Since opening in June 2001, the center has served over 15,000 visitors.

The Visitor Center provides public information about Los Padres National Forest and also sells maps, trail guides, forest-related books, Adventure Passes and other items.

Trained staff can help guide you to the many and varied recreational and educational experiences available in the forest and can also help with extended backcountry trip planning for the local wilderness areas.

Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center also serves as a hub for interpretive and educational activities and programs. These include membership functions and presentations about the resources and issues of Los Padres National Forest. One of the more popular programs is the Introduction to Backpacking course.

For information about scheduled hours of operation and current programs, please visit https://lpforest.org/wheeler/.

The Visitor Center is currently open from 9:00am - 3:00pm on Saturdays and 9:00am - 2:00pm on Sundays. Telephone: (805) 640-9060

Areas for Visitor Centers at Ojai Ranger District

Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center

Picnicking

Areas for Picnicking at Ojai Ranger District

Piedra Blanca Trailhead (Rose Valley Area) Ojai

Scenic Driving

The Jacinto Reyes Scenic Byway traverses the Ojai Ranger District and part of Mt. Pinos Ranger District of the Los Padres NF and is entirely within Ventura County. The byway is bordered by 30 miles of national forest and 7 miles of private land within the forest boundary. About .75 mile of byway is outside the national forest.

Location and General Description

The byway travels through some of the most picturesque and diverse terrain in southern California. Spectacular vistas greet you along the entire route, and yet you are also treated to "close encounters" with beautiful cliffs, rock formations, and lush riparian areas. The unique geology, geomorphology, plant, and animal life of the area captures the interest and imagination of the casual recreationist and scientist alike. The corridor provides access to four Congressional designated wildernesses.

Highway 33 is a state highway, maintained by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
Highway 33 is both a National Forest Scenic Byway, and a State Scenic Highway. This means that it traverses a scenic corridor of outstanding aesthetic, cultural, historic, and interpretive values.

More Byway Information.........

Areas for Scenic Driving at Ojai Ranger District