Campground No. The upper Matilija area has been a popular recreation area since the late 1800s, with many hikers making the trip up Matilija Creek to camp, fish and hunt in the canyons. Let the massive old-growth oaks and sycamore shade your tent, RV, or trailer. Murietta Camp is east of Matilija creek approximately .5 mile up Murietta Canyon. Ojai is the nearest town, about 15 miles from the campground. Campground No. ... North Fork Matilija Creek … 1 was located on the opposite side of the river from Matilija Canyon Road. Water is available at several stream crossings. It is a scenic hike through Matilija Creek with many great turtle ponds, swimming holes, and two waterfalls. The campground was originally built by Boy Scouts nearly a century ago, as well as a historical stone home that is also on-site. It is heavily shaded and the Matilija Creek runs nearby. Sam Houston National Forest allows dispersed camping anywhere along the trail except from September 15 – February 1 when you can only camp in designated areas. Trail, Roads and Campground Information . Campground surprises. Santa Barbara Ranger District. The larger city of Ventura is about 20 miles south of the campground. Phone: (805) 448-3648 (phones answered Mon-Fri 8-430) 3505 Paradise Rd. Matilija Camp, Middle Matilija, and Maple Camp are approximately .5, 3, and 6 miles up the Upper North Fork. MEET THE AUTHORS. Murietta Trail (24W07) Length: 2.4 miles Difficulty: moderate. Over the years, almost all of it has eroded and what’s left has been overgrown with vegetation. Trail, Road, Campground and OHV Information . Peter Moyle is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology and Associate Director of the Center for Watershed Sciences, at UC Davis. The campground lines both sides of the North Fork Matilija Creek, which offers respite from the area’s triple-digit summer heat. Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Read more about the Lone Star Trail. Ojai Ranger District. Choose your distance: 1 mile to Lower Camp, 3.5 miles to Middle Camp, and 5 miles to Upper Camp. Phone: (805) 448-3648 (phones answered Mon-Fri 8-430) 3505 Paradise Rd. Trail, Road, Campground and OHV Information . The campground is adjacent to Matilija Creek, and is bordered by a mixed forest of oak and sycamore trees and evergreen shrubbery. 2 was completely washed away by the 1978 flooding. And as a bonus you’ll be pitching your tent along a creek that’s still got water. The campground is situated at the bottom of Live Oak Canyon at an elevation of 2,120 feet. Drive up Matilija Canyon Road to a locked gate and park along the road. Santa Barbara Ranger District. About half of that campground was eroded away by the flooding. The three first-come, first-served campgrounds along the Upper North Fork Matilija Creek Trail in Los Padres National Forest can be reached only by foot. Head 8 miles north, and you land at Wheeler Gorge Campground. Greg Casperson The 9-mile (14.5 km) trail to Matilija Falls has an elevation gain of 950 ft (290 m) and is moderate to difficult. Phone: (805) 448-4710 (phones answered Mon-Fri 8-430) 1190 E. Ojai Ave. Ojai, CA 93023. Ojai Ranger District. Nearby Attractions. Trail, Roads and Campground Information . BYO drinking water and firewood. It’s nestled in the southern end of the Los Padres National Forest where the Matilija Creek flows. Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Phone: (805) 448-4710 (phones answered Mon-Fri 8-430) 1190 E. Ojai Ave. Ojai, CA 93023. The nearby Matilija Hot Springs, first discovered in 1873, became a public resort in 1877 and passed through many owners before being closed in 1988. Most sites are shaded and summer temperatures reach up to 95 degrees. 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