Ojai Ranger District

Photo of the Ojai Ranger Station sign in front of the ranger station and parking lot

Know Before You Go!

Date: January 31, 2025

Hwy 33 is open. Check the Caltrans website for updates.

  • For information, please call (805) 646-4348. Phone calls are answered Thursday - Saturday, 9:00am - 2:00pm
  • The Ojai Ranger Station/District Office is now open Thursday through Saturday from 9:00am - 2:00pm. Closed Sun-Wed
  • The Piedra Blanca Trailhead, Rose Valley Campground and Middle Lion Campground are open.
  • Dough Flat Rd to the trailhead to the Alder Creek Trail is open to a seasonally locked gate. Hike approx. 2 miles to the trailhead from the gate
  • Matilija Trailhead is currently closed due to storm damage.
  • Pine Mountain/Reyes Peak Rd is closed for the winter season. The Reyes Peak and Pine Mountain Campgrounds are closed for the winter season
  • Wheeler Gorge Campground is open.

Volunteer Opportunities on the Ojai Ranger District

Join the team at Los Padres National Forest! The Ojai Ranger District is currently seeking motivated volunteers that want to be a part of a great team serving  visitors at a beautiful and unique Forest.

Volunteers will work indoors at the Ojai Ranger Station's Visitor Center and outdoors in the Forest. This position is focused on visitor services. Volunteers will answer questions, provide brochures and information, assist with cash register sales, and support day-to-day operations in the visitor center. Training and orientation will be provided.

If you are interested in volunteering, please send an email to: sm.fs.apply_ojai@usda.gov.

Nordhoff Ridge Permit Reservation Information/Instructions

Closed for the winter season. No permits issued at this time. Will re-open in early May 2025.

Reservations for a permit are required for accessing Nordhoff Ridge Road. Send an email to sm.fs.nordhoff_rdg@usda.gov. Allow at least 5 business days in advance for the Forest Service to review your request, deny or approve it, and issue a permit. Please read the Nordhoff Ridge Rd instructions and usage guidelines before sending an email request for a permit. Thank you!

Parking Pass Information for the Piedra Blanca Trailhead

An Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Interagency National Park Pass is required for parking at the Piedra Blanca Trailhead. These passes are not available at the trailhead. Adventure Passes can be purchased at any Southern California Big 5 Sporting Goods Stores.They sell Day Passes for $5 or Annual Passes for $30. Adventure Passes are also sold at the Ojai Ranger Station Thursday - Saturday from 9:00am - 2:00pm. The Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center also sells Adventure Passes on Weekends from 9:00am - 3:00pm.

America the Beautiful Passes can be obtained online through USGS.gov or at National Park Entrance Stations or Visitor Centers. They are currently not available at the Ojai Ranger Station.

Forest Orders

Special Forest Order - Storm Damage Recovery 05-07-55-24-15

Effective: July 19, 2024 through July 18, 2025

Ojai Ranger District - Special Closure Forest Order 05-07-55-24-15

Forest Order 05-07-00-25-13 Fire Use Restrictions: This Order is effective from January 31, 2025, through March 31, 2025.

Occupancy and Use Forest Order 5-07-00-24-02 effective February 6, 2024 through February 5, 2026

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.S0(a), and to provide for public safety and protect natural resources, the following act is prohibited within the Los Padres National Forest. This Order is effective from February 6, 2024, through February 5, 2026.

1. Camping:

a. in a developed campground, for a period longer than 14 consecutive days or for more than 28 days during a calendar year; or

b. anywhere other than a developed campground, for a period longer than seven consecutive days or for more than 21 days during a calendar year.

36 C.F.R. § 261.58(a).

Sespe Condor Sanctuary Occupancy and Use Restrictions

Forest Order 05-07-55-23-14 Sespe Condor Sanctuary Occupancy and Use Restriction Forest Closure Order

Effective September 14, 2023 - September 13, 2025.

Tar Creek is closed. Public entry is prohibited.

Open Roads

  • Rose Valley/Sespe Rd to the Rose Valley area and Piedra Blanca Trailhead
  • Dough Flat Rd is open to a seasonally locked gate. Hike approx. 2 miles to the trailhead from the gate. 4WD is recommended - this is a rough road

Closed Roads

  • Matilija Canyon Rd
  • Nordhoff Ridge Rd - Closed for the winter season
  • Pine Mountain/Reyes Peak Rd - Closed for the winter season
  • Portrero Seco Rd
  • Cherry Creek Rd

Trail Status

Front Country Trails

  • Cozy Dell - Open
  • Horn Canyon Trail - Open
  • Pratt - Open
  • Gridley - Open
  • Santa Paula Canyon Trail (Punchbowls) - Open

Backcountry Trails

  • Reyes Peak Trail (Pine Mountain area) - No vehicle access to the trailhead. The road is closed for the winter season
  • The Sespe Creek Trail from the Piedra Blanca Trailhead - Open - See parking pass information above
  • Rose Valley Falls Trail - Open
  • Rose-Lion Connector Trail - Open
  • Lion Canyon Trail - Open
  • Howard Creek - Open
  • Chorro Grande Trail - Open
  • Potrero John Trail - Open
  • ​Dough Flat Trailhead - Alder Creek Trail to the Sespe River Trail - open. Park at the seasonally locked gate and hike approx. 2 miles to the trailhead
  • Pothole Trail (from Piru Lake) - Open
  • Agua Blanca Trail (from Piru Lake) - Open

Other Hiking Opportunities in the Ojai Area

Trail Closures - Forest Closure Order 05-07-55-24-15

Closed through July 18, 2025

  • Matilija Wilderness - North Fork Matilija Trail
  • 24W07 / Murietta Trail

Campgrounds

Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends and holidays and can be made through Rec.gov



Alerts & Warnings

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