Camping in Ventura County : MOUNTAIN CAMPING

If you’re looking for an easily accessible campsite that isn’t as packed as some of the ones along the coast, think about areas north of Ojai or along Sespe Creek. If finding a site off the beaten path is your goal, consider sites such as Bear Trap No. 1 or Reyes Peak, which are only accessible by hiking.

Amenities at the sites vary. Some, for example, have no potable water-so calling ahead is advisable.

1. Ozena Campground. Thirty-six miles north of Ojai, about 1.5 miles east of Highway 33 on Lockwood Valley Road. Campsites: 12 for tents or motor homes up to 22 feet long. Fireplaces and picnic tables provided, and vault toilets are available. There is no piped water, so bring your own. No reservations, no fee. Information: Los Padres National Forest Mt. Pinos Ranger District, 245-3731.

2. Reyes Creek. About 1.5 miles east of Ozena on Lockwood Valley Road. Campsites: 30 for tents only and six for tents or motor homes up to 22 feet long. Picnic tables and fireplaces provided, and vault toilets are available. Piped water is normally available, but there was none when we were there. No reservations. Fee: $5 per night; $12 per night for multi-families. Information: Mt. Pinos Ranger District.

3. Upper Reyes Creek. About 2.5 miles from Reyes Creek, the campsite, at 4,700-ft. elevation, is accessible only by hiking trail. Campsites: six for tents. No tables, pit toilets. Stream water available. No campfires; liquid fuels only. No reservations, no fees. Information: Mt. Pinos Ranger District.

4. Bear Trap No.1. Keep hiking about 1.5 miles past the Upper Reyes Creek campsite to the north side of Reyes Peak. Campsites: 2-3. No tables, no toilets. Advisable to carry water, although nearby Bear Trap Creek provides water once you’re there. No campfires; liquid fuels only. No reservations, no fees. Information: Mt. Pinos Ranger District.

5. Pine Mountain. Forty-five miles from Ojai and five miles off Highway 33 on Pine Mountain Road. Campsites: six tent sites at 6,000 ft. elevation. Tables and water are available; no toilets. Bring your own firewood. No reservations, no fees. Information: Mt. Pinos Ranger District.

6. Reyes Peak. About 1 mile from Pine Mountain. Campsites: six for tents. Tables available, no toilets. Bring your own water and firewood. No reservations, no fees. Information: Mt. Pinos Ranger District.

7. Raspberry. One mile’s walk down the canyon from Reyes Peak. Water is available, but purification tablets are advised. Campsites: six at 6,700 ft. elevation. No tables, no toilets. No reservations, no fees. Information: Mt. Pinos Ranger District,

8. Rose Valley. About 20 miles north of Wheeler Hot Springs, five miles east on Rose Valley Road. Campsites: seven tent or motorhome sites. Fee $6 per night. Potable water available. Tables, toilet available. No reservations. Information: Ojai Ranger District, 646-4348.

9. Lion’s Camp. At the end of Rose Valley 7 miles from Highway 33. Campsites: 35 tent and motorhome sites on Sespe Creek. Tables and toilets available. Water available. No reservations, $6 per night. Trailhead parking available into proposed Sespe Wilderness. Information: Ojai Ranger District.

10. Middle Lion’s Camp. Campsites: 10 on Lion’s Canyon Creek, which has year-round water. No potable water; drinking tablets advised. Tables and toilets available. No reservations, no fees. Hiking trail goes to Nordhoff Ridge, 5 miles away for a stunning view. Information: Ojai ranger District.

11. Cherry Creek. Take your boots off. You’ve arrived. About 7 miles from roadhead to Matilija is this quaint campsite. Probably, you won’t have much company. For conditions, see 11. Information: Ojai Ranger District.

12. Maple. Keep going. You can make it. A few miles past Middle Matilija is this tucked away campsite. Conditions similar to 12 and 13, but you’re even farther away. Information: Ojai Ranger District.

13. Middle Matilija. Two miles up trail, past Matilija. Conditions similar to Matilija. Information: Ojai Ranger District.

14. Matilija. South of Wheeler Hot Springs, off Matilija Road. Trail to campsite is approximately 2.5 miles. No tables, no toilets. Water is available from north fork of Matilija Creek, but purification tablets are advised. No reservations, no fees. Liquid fuels only. Information: Ojai Ranger District.

BEACH CAMPING

If you don’t need a shower, try the canyon campground area of Carrillo State Beach. If you want a phone jack along with your RV hookups, consider the Ventura Beach RV resort. Creature comforts vary widely--as do fees and reservation policies--at the many coastal camping areas in or near Ventura County.

State guidebooks and local authorities provided the information below. But park operators recommend that would-be campers do their own advance work by phone to gather further information about campsites.

15. Carpinteria State Beach. Ten miles south of Santa Barbara, off Interstate 101. Campsites: 162 for RVs up to 30 feet long; 100 for tents. Reservations recommended. Fees: $16 for tents, $20-$25 for RVs. Phone: 1-800-444-PARK for reservations; 684-2811 for information.

16. Hobson County Park. Nine miles northwest of Ventura off the Ventura Freeway. Campsites: 31, for tents or RVs up to 34 feet long. Reservations recommended. Fees $14. Phone: 654-3951.

17. Faria County Park. Seven miles northwest of Ventura off the Ventura Freeway. Campsites: 42, for tents or RVs up to 34 feet long. No reservations. Fees: $14. Phone: 654-3951.

18. Rincon Parkway. Six miles northwest of Ventura off the Ventura Freeway. Campsites: 100, for RVs up to 34 feet long only. No reservations. Fees: $9. Phone: 654-3951.

19. Emma Wood County Park. Three miles northwest of Ventura off the Ventura Freeway. Campsites: 95, for tents or RVs up to 40 feet long. Reservations recommended for groups. Fees: $9, another $1 for a pet. Phone: 654-3951.

20. Emma Wood State Beach. Two miles northwest of Ventura off the Ventura Freeway. Campsites: four for tents, each accommodating a group of 10-30 people; one for up to 20 RVs and up to 50 people. Reservations recommended. Fees: $45-$75 per night, per group site. Phone: 800-444-PARK for reservations; 654-4611 for information.

21. Ventura Beach RV Resort. Just northwest of Ventura, off Main Street. Campsites: 144 for RVs, some with phones; 24 for tents. Reservations recommended. Fees: Tents $16; RVs $22.50-$24.50. Phone: 643-9137.

22. McGrath State Beach. In coastal Ventura, off the Seaward/Harbor exit and four miles southwest on Harbor Boulevard. Campsites: 174, for tents or RVs up to 34 feet long. Reservations recommended. Fees: Tents $16, another $1 for a pet. Phone: 800-444-PARK for reservations; 654-4611 for information.

In Point Mugu State Park:

23. Thornhill Broome State Beach. Fifteen miles south of Oxnard on Highway 1. Campsites: 88, for tents or RVs up to 31 feet long. Reservations recommended through MISTIX. Fees: $9, another $1 for a pet. Phone: 800-444-PARK for reservations; 818-706-1310 for tickets.

24. Sycamore Canyon. Sixteen miles south of Oxnard, off Highway 1. Campsites: 56, for tents and RVs up to 31 feet long, up to half a mile inland. Reservations recommended. Fees: $16. Phone: 800-444-PARK for reservations; 818-706-1310 for tickets.

25. Leo Carrillo State Beach. Twenty miles south of Oxnard on Highway 1. Campsites: 32 in the “North Beach” area on the ocean; 100 in the canyon area up half a mile inland, for tents or RVs up to 31 feet long, and no taller than 8 feet. No reservations. Fees: $9 in canyon area, $16 at north beach, another $1 for a pet. Phone: 818-706-1310 for information.

SOURCES: County and state parks officials; the California RV & Camping Guide, published by the California Travel Parks Association; and California Camping, 1991-92 edition, by Tom Stienstra.