Los Padres National Forest

Pups are welcome at camp and on hiking trails

Driving to and sleeping at a campground

Ideal for first-timers

Soaking in Willett and Sespe hot springs in Los Padres National Forest

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Last updated

July 31, 2024

Trip · 3-day camping trip

For ·Families and returning campers

Vibe · Moderate and fun

Permits · You won't need a wilderness permit, but apply for a CA campfire permit online and buy an Adventure Pass to park at Piedra Blanca Trailhead‍

Drive · 2.5 hours from LA

Ideal dates · January to May (before it gets too hot!)

Pets · Welcome on trails and campgrounds

Los Padres National Forest (LPNF) boasts a whopping ten wilderness areas: Ventana, Silver Peak, Santa Lucia, Garcia, Machesna, San Rafael, Dick Smith, Matilija, Sespe, and Chumash. In total, the forest has a mind blowing 1.75 million acres. This trek takes you through Sespe Wilderness. The trailhead is accessible by driving along highway 33, a portion of which is considered a National Forest and State Scenic Byway. So whether it's the road trip or the hike itself, you'll witness beautiful natural landscapes in LPNF.

Official National Forest Website

Directions to Campground

Main image credit: Mary Hikes

Prep Itinerary Gear Food

Stuff to know

There are critters in the Sespe Wilderness. Make sure you pack up your food and scented items in the car or an animal proof container when they’re not in use.
Mosquitoes, horseflies, and ticks like to hang out during the summer. Bring yo' bug spray, or even better a bug net.
Watch out for poison oak, especially if you venture off-trail.
Make sure you check campfire restrictions before you go! Restrictions happen seasonally, depending on how high the wildfire risk is.
Practice Leave No Trace! That means packing out any trash and making sure you keep an eye out for litter.

Resources

Learn and practice Leave No Trace

Check the weather

Sespe Hot Springs in Los Padres National Forest

Where to camp

Wheeler Gorge Campground

Each campsite comes with a:

Picnic table
Fire pit
Space for up to 6 people
Two parking spots
Vault toilets & flushing toilets (on site)

Note: This campground does not have potable water. You will need to bring your own water for your camping trip. We recommend these 5 gallon collapsible water containers that you can fill prior to coming.

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.

Check-in: Noon · Check-out: Noon

Nightly Rate: $35

Reserve your campsite

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Itinerary

Day One

Wheeler Gorge Campground. Credit: Recreation.gov

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Leave LA as early as you can cuz' traffic

Last cheapish pit stop · Circle K - 11408 N Ventura Avenue in Ojai
Nearest grocery store · Vons - 1125 Maricopa Highway in Ojai - It's still a 45-minute drive from the campground so stock up on food before you arrive.

Arrive at the campground and get settled in

Check into your campsite, enjoy a quick lunch, and set up your tent.

Check out the nature center and become a junior ranger

The Wheeler Gorge visitor’s center is located next to the campground and runs hourly nature programs with forest rangers. These programs let you and your kids learn about the local area and trails.
Take a stroll on the easy 0.6 mile Wheeler Gorge Nature Trail loop to see the river and some nature.
Participants can earn their junior ranger’s badge after participating in three programs.

Relax and cook up dinner

Settle into your campsite for a relaxing night and some quality family time.
For lounging under the stars, we recommend this reclining camp chair for kids and adults.

The name Sespe can be traced back to a Chumash Indian village, called Cepsey, Sek-pe or S'eqpe' ("Kneecap") in the Chumash languag

Day Two

Rose Valley Falls. Source: Ventura County Star.

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Make brekkie and get ready for the day

Make a classic breakfast from childhood, like chocolate chip pancakes
Be sure to pack a lunch, plenty of water, snacks, and be prepared for wet feet
These packable camp towels are great for taking on hikes where you know you’ll get wet

Check out Rose Valley Falls

This easy 0.8 mile out and back trail takes you to breathtaking mountain waterfalls
The falls run seasonally and are most likely to be flowing after rainfall in the spring

Enjoy Lunch at Rose Valley Campground

Relax and enjoy your pack lunch

Take an afternoon hike on the Piedra Blanca Formations Trail

Further up the road, you’ll find the trailhead for Piedra Blanca Formations Trail
This easy 2.7 mile out and back trail is a longer one, but worth it
The trail takes you alongside a river and features some river crossings, so be prepared to get wet

Return to camp and enjoy dinner

Cook up your last dinner in Wheeler Gorge!
Unwind and enjoy your night at camp

Sespe Wilderness is also home to the Sespe Condor Sanctuary. It's not open to the public, but it was established to protect one of the most endangered animals in the world. What's a major threat to condors? Microtrash (i.e. bottle caps, broken glass).

DAY THREE

Ojai Pizza Company in Ojai. Source: Ojai Pizza Company.

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Pack up and leave camp around 10 AM

Cook up brekkie, pick up any random pieces of litter around camp and save some snacks for the return drive

Drive to Ojai Pizza Company in Ojai for a kid friendly lunch

Ojai Pizza Company is right along Ojai’s main drag and sure to please any picky eater
Located at 331 E Ojai Avenue in Ojai
Open daily from 11 AM to 9 PM