Hours of Operation
The Wheeler Gorge(ous) Visitor Center is currently open from 9:00AM – 3:00PM Saturday and Sunday, except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center
17017 Maricopa Highway
Ojai, CA 93023
Telephone: (805) 640-9060
Fax: (805) 640-9059
Directions
From Ventura, take Highway 33 towards Ojai at the “Y” intersection (by the Vons shopping center) turn left on Hwy 33 for 8 miles. From Carpinteria, take Hwy 150 east until you connect with Hwy 33 and turn left at the intersection.
Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center is the first dedicated visitor center in the 100 year history of the forest. Since opening in June 2001, the center has served thousands of visitors to the Los Padres. The trained staff can help guide you to a variety of recreational activities and educational opportunities in the forest. Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center has educational programs between May and September each Saturday.
Summer Programs are TBD – check in later in the season!
Become a member of the Los Padres Forest Association, Ojai Chapter Committee, to help with our center programs and many other events throughout the year. We are always looking for help in any way that you can contribute. We hope to make the center available to local schools and youth groups during the weekdays. We look forward to the implementation of this program and many other additions to the center in the near future. Funding for the Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center and its programs comes from donations and sales at the center. Your support will help us continue to improve the center displays and programs.
Available at Wheeler:
- Information about the flora, fauna, geography, geology, natural history and trail/camp information of the Los Padres,
- Local hiking trail/ wilderness maps,
- Adventure Passes (annual, second vehicle and one day),
- Books and other interpretive information,
- Snacks, drinks and other forest related memorabilia
- Conference room/ classroom equipped with audiovisual equipment,
- Outdoor classroom under the trees,
- A large parking area and
- Outside picnic area.
- Contact INFO@LPFOREST.ORG if you would like more information
We consider the visitor center to be a community center for local communities such as the Ojai Valley, Ventura, Santa Paula, Camarillo, Oxnard and many outlying areas such as Simi Valley, Santa Clarita, and San Fernando Valley.
No matter if you’re a grizzled veteran of the Los Padres or just looking for a fun destination for the weekend, there is something exciting to learn at Wheeler Gorge. Bring your friends and family and we’ll see you at the Gorge!