Ojai Ranger District

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

Know Before You Go!

Date: April 17, 2024

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

Hwy 150 Alert - Is closed from 3.6 mi east of Ojai /at Nordhoff Rd/ to Stonegate Rd /in Santa Paula/ (Ventura Co) - Due to a mudslide - Motorists are advised to use an alternate route. There is currently no acces to Ojai from Santa Paula because of the mudslide. Access only from Hwy 33 from Hwy 101.

ALERT - due to significant rainfall most river crossings are at high levels. Please use your best judgment and proceed at your own risk.

  • 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.
  • There is now access to the Rose Valley area and the Piedra Blanca Trailhead.
  • Santa Paula Canyon Trail is open.
  • Dough Flat Rd to the trailhead to the Alder Creek Trail is open to the locked gate three miles below the trailhead. Park at the locked gate. The portion of the road from the locked gate to the trailhead will reopend in May 2024.
  • Matilija Trailhead is currently closed.
  • Pine Mountain campgrounds and trailheads are closed for the winter season. This area will reopen in May 2024.
  • Nordhoff Ridge Rd is closed for the winter season. Will reopen in May 2024.
  • Wheeler Gorge, Rose Valley and Holiday Group Campground are now open.

Forest Orders

Forest Order 05-07-00-24-01 Special Forest Closure - Public Health and Safety:

Effective: January 27, 2024 through August 31, 2024

Forest Order 05-07-00-24-01

Many of the areas that were closed for public health and safety concerns following powerful winter storms that inflicted significant damage across the Forest have reopened.

Two new Forest orders are now in place that will keep severely compromised roads, trails, campgrounds, and day-use sites closed to the public while Forest engineers, partner groups, volunteers, and contractors work on repairs as funding becomes available. Road crews and resources from other national forests in California have been assisting with road clearing and maintenance projects to reopen additional areas once they have been repaired.

Target Shooting Prohibition

Firearms Prohibition Forest Order: Effective February 15, 2023 through December 31, 2024

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 locked gate three miles south of the trailhead. 4WD is recommended - this is a rough road. Park at the locked gate. The portion of the road from the locked gate up to the trailhead will reopen in May 2024.

Closed Roads

Closed for the winter season - will re-open May 2024

  • Pine Mountain/Reyes Peak Rd
  • Nordhoff Ridge Rd

Trail Status

ALERT - due to significant rainfall most river crossings are at high levels (chest to waist deep). Please use your best judgment and proceed at your own risk.

Front Country Trails

  • Cozy Dell - Open
  • Horn Canyon Trail - Open
  • Pratt - Open
  • Gridley - Open
  • Santa Paula Canyon Trail (Punchbowls) - **Alert - Due to the closure of Hwy 150 from a mudslide, access is only from Ojai. No access coming from Santa Paula.

Backcountry Trails

  • The Sespe Creek Trail from the Piedra Blanca Trailhead - Open - ALERT - river crossings are currently at high levels
  • 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 - Winter gate locked three miles below Trailhead - park near gate. - Open
  • 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 05-07-00-24-01

Closed through August 31, 2024

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

Open Campgrounds

Campground Closures



Alerts & Warnings

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