Located just 8 miles north from Ojai on beautiful Highway 33 at Wheeler Gorge, the gateway to the southern Los Padres National Forest, the Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center is the first dedicated visitor center in the almost 100 year history of the Forest. The Center operates under a permit from the Forest Service. Since opening in June, 2001, the Center has served over 15,000 visitors.

The Center providespublic information about Los Padres National Forest. In addition to the sale of maps, trail guides, Forest-related books, Adventure Pass, and other items to the public. Our trained staff can help guide you to the many and varied recreational and educational experiences available in the Forest. We can also help with extended backcountry trip planning for our local wilderness areas.

A Wheeler Visitor Center also serves as a hub for interpretive and educational activities and programs. These include membership functions, presenters about the resources and issues of Los Padres National Forest and such programs as our Introduction to Backpacking course.

We consider ourselves a community center that integrates the local communities of Ojai, Oak View, Santa Paula and Ventura/Oxnard into the Forest. The Center facility has a kitchen, classroom, library, audiovisual equipment, large parking area, outside picnic areas, and tools/equipment storage. The Center will also serve as a staging area for forest projects, such as trail work and campsite maintenance in the southern Los Padres National Forest.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Center is presently staffed entirely with volunteers. We need more volunteers to expand the hours of operation and the services provided to the public. In addition to helping provide an important public service, volunteering at the Center is a great way to learn more about the Forest and is a wonderful, fun, relaxing way to spend a day. All Center volunteers attend an initial 3 hour orientation which are offered monthly. After the orientation, you will work with an experienced staff member for more “on-the-job” training.

Volunteers are also needed to help maintain the grounds, make repairs and improvements to the facility and for programs and activities. Be a member of the Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center Committee. We are organizing a committee now to help with the ongoing development of the Center. There are so many exciting ways for the Center to grow and become a truly vibrant part of our Forest community. We hope you can join us!
Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center
17017 Maricopa Highway
Ojai, CA 93023
Telephone: (805) 640-9060
Fax: (805) 640-9059

Directions

From the “Y” intersection in Ojai (by the Vons Shopping Center) head north up Highway 33 for 8 miles. The Center is located on Highway 33 just past the last tunnel and across from the Wheeler Gorge Campground in the old Forest Service Fire Station.

Hours of Operation

The Wheeler Gorge(ous) Visitor Center is currently opened from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. We are preparing to open 7 days a week starting in Summer 2003 from June 21 to Labor Day.

The Future

We are currently developing a master plan for the Wheeler Gorge area, in collaboration with the Forest Service and the Wheeler Gorge Campground concessionaire, to realize the full potential of the Center. The master plan includes such items as an amphitheater, public restrooms, outdoor kitchen and BBQ area, enhancement and expansion of Wheeler Gorge Nature Trail, trail restoration in the Wheeler Gorge including a loop trail to Nordhoff Ridge and restoration of the historic stone cabin for use as interpretive center and museum. We are also working to expand the retail sales to include camping and other recreational supplies.

WHEELER GORGE VISITOR CENTER

Teaching others how to take care of the forest.