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Matilija Camp South Los Padres National Forest

  • Camp Type: Wilderness Trail Camp
  • Topo Map Link: Old Man Mountain
  • Elevation: 1700 feet
  • Wilderness Area: Matilija
  • County: Ventura County
  • Ranger District: Ojai Ranger District
  • Longitude: -119.3804338
  • Latitude: 34.51554796
  • Water Sources: Upper North Fork of the Matilija Creek
  • Length of Stay: 14 Days
  • Reservations: Wilderness Trail Camp

Recent Water Reports:

Date Surveyor Water Report
10-22-2022Jon BainFlowing
02-25-2022Adam DonaldFlowing
04-19-2021Ryan FreemanFlowing
11-08-2020Nancy AguilarFlowing
03-25-2020Trevor Cooper Flowing
12-29-2019Christopher P. LordFlowing
12-29-2019Antonio Calderon Flowing
05-04-2019Barry MortensonFlowing
02-16-2019Los Padres Forest AssociationFlowing
01-30-2019Michelle MacgilfreyFlowing
11-25-2017Hugh WarrenFlowing
11-11-2017Oh ThreeFlowing
07-15-2017Anonymous SurveyorFlowing
05-28-2017AndrewFlowing
03-05-2017Craig R. CareyFlowing
11-24-2016Anonymous SurveyorFlowing
11-15-2016Jasonn BeckstrandFlowing
10-17-2016Anonymous SurveyorFlowing
08-15-2016Anonymous SurveyorFlowing
05-21-2016Anonymous SurveyorFlowing
05-07-2016Jake NonnemakerFlowing
03-12-2016cupariusFlowing
01-14-2016Craig R. CareyFlowing
11-27-2015Koert DuBoisFlowing
11-13-2015Rick KaylorFlowing
11-09-2014Los Padres Forest AssociationFlowing
07-31-2014Los Padres Forest AssociationFlowing

Photo By: Christopher P Lord - Website Link
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Survey This Camp

Description:

Matilija Camp is a small trail camp located on the North Fork Matilija Trail (23W07)in the Matilija Wilderness

Recent Uploads:

Survey Photos:


  • Los Padres Forest Association - 07-31-2014

  • Craig R. Carey - 01-14-2016

  • cuparius - 03-12-2016
    Pool directly below upper site

  • Jasonn Beckstrand - 11-15-2016

  • Craig R. Carey - 03-05-2017
    Lower Matilija; courtesy Sr Avila

  • Craig R. Carey - 03-05-2017
    Lower Matilija; courtesy Sr Avila

  • Michelle Macgilfrey - 01-30-2019

  • Michelle Macgilfrey - 01-30-2019

  • Michelle Macgilfrey - 01-30-2019

  • Los Padres Forest Association - 02-16-2019
    This is the creek just above the camp, more appropriate for tubing

  • Barry Mortenson - 05-04-2019

  • Barry Mortenson - 05-04-2019

  • Barry Mortenson - 05-04-2019

  • Christopher P. Lord - 12-29-2019
    User created Site #1

  • Christopher P. Lord - 12-29-2019
    Main lower site #2

  • Christopher P. Lord - 12-29-2019
    Matilija Camp (original site) #3

  • Christopher P. Lord - 12-29-2019
    user created site #4

  • Christopher P. Lord - 12-29-2019
    Good water flow

  • Christopher P. Lord - 12-29-2019
    Fire ring at the main lower site

  • Antonio Calderon - 12-29-2019

  • Antonio Calderon - 12-29-2019

  • Nancy Aguilar - 11-08-2020
    creek before reaching the Falls

  • Nancy Aguilar - 11-08-2020
    Matilija Falls

  • Nancy Aguilar - 11-08-2020
    Cool rock formations

  • Ryan Freeman - 04-19-2021
    Camp

  • Ryan Freeman - 04-19-2021
    Water Source

  • Adam Donald - 02-25-2022
    Camp

Submitted Camp Reports

Matilija Camp Survey - 10-22-2022 - by Jon Bain
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 10-22-2022
Surveyor Name:Jon Bain
Camp Description:Stayed at the large site under the large flat rock.  Camp was incredibly clean, we searched for trash and really found none.  Scoped out to the "overflow site" around the bend (at 1.7 mi from parking lot), and that site was also clean and clear.  


Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Stayed at what Christophe Lord calls camp #2, the one under the big flat rock. Water was flowing next to camp, maybe 5" deep and a little silty, but 100 ft up stream, at the mini falls, some deeper pools (1&2ft) and good flow, clear tasty water.
Weather Conditions:Mid 60s day, 49 night. Overcast. Some wind gusts around late after
Matilija Camp Survey - 02-25-2022 - by Adam Donald
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 02-25-2022
Surveyor Name:Adam Donald
Camp Description:Nice pleasant open camp with lots of space (as we saw the day after we left when a whole scout troop squeezed in).  Shade under the oaks or sun on the rocks.  Easy access to the creek, which was flowing well.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:Clear, 35F at night 70F in the day
Images:

Camp
Matilija Camp Survey - 04-19-2021 - by Ryan Freeman
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 04-19-2021
Surveyor Name:Ryan Freeman
Camp Description:Spent a couple nights here. Beautiful campsite with a small waterfall nearby. Lots of shade and a good rock ring for fires. The creek has a good flow and is less than 50 feet away. Nice oak trees make hammock camping easy. Camp is close to the trail which gets crowded with day hikers. Watch out for poison oak! 
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Good flow
Weather Conditions:Sunny and breezy, 88 degrees high, 50 degrees low
Images:

Camp

Water Source
Matilija Camp Survey - 11-08-2020 - by Nancy Aguilar
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 11-08-2020
Surveyor Name:Nancy Aguilar
Camp Description:A nice hike after the rain the day before. The creek at the start was easy to pass. It was low enough to step over rocks and not get wet. Day was brisk. The trail crossed the creek several times. We had to climb over rocks but nothing difficult. Solid 9.5 mile hike
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Creek had water throughout the hike. The Fall was flowing beautifully. The pools were all clean, clear and deep.
Weather Conditions:start in the 40's and got up to about 60
Images:

creek before reaching the Falls

Matilija Falls


Cool rock formations
Matilija Camp Survey - 03-25-2020 - by Trevor Cooper
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 03-25-2020
Surveyor Name:Trevor Cooper
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Steady, clear flow. About ankle deep
Weather Conditions:
Matilija Camp Survey - 12-29-2019 - by Christopher P. Lord
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 12-29-2019
Surveyor Name:Christopher P. Lord
Camp Description:Good water flowing at the Camp right now. The lower main site is definitely seeing the most action as the original FS site has quite a bit of rubble strewn about. Trail is in fine shape from the Matilija Trailhead into Camp. As of this writing there are 4 different locations one can stay all in the general vicinity. (see attached photos)

Site #1 (primitive user created) N34° 30' 54.6" W119° 22' 49.4"
Site #2 (popular main lower site) N34° 30' 59.5" W119° 22' 48.0"
Site #3 (Original Matilija Site) N34° 31' 02.9" W119° 22' 47.6"
Site #4 (primitive user created) N34° 30' 59.4" W119° 22' 40.0"

For further details please see the link below:

Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:Chilly 50's storm was coming in
Images:

User created Site #1

Main lower site #2


Matilija Camp (original site) #3

user created site #4


Good water flow
Matilija Camp Survey - 12-29-2019 - by Antonio Calderon
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 12-29-2019
Surveyor Name:Antonio Calderon
Camp Description:Would make for a good small backpacking trip. Plenty of room for several tents with a nice size fire ring. Sits right next to the creek which was flowing good. The original site with the grill is in bad shape with lots of storm debris. 
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Cold with good flow
Weather Conditions:Cold in the lower 50s
Images:


Matilija Camp Survey - 05-04-2019 - by Barry Mortenson
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 05-04-2019
Surveyor Name:Barry Mortenson
Camp Description:Upper larger campground area is left with just a couple flat tent spots after the rain washed away most of the camping area. The lower smaller spot was still in great shape our cub scouts group was able to fit 5 tents comfortably. Water crossings were more challenging than they have been the in the past few years.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Plenty of water as always
Weather Conditions:70/53
Images:




Matilija Camp Survey - 02-16-2019 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 02-16-2019
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:The main camp remains covered in the side canyon spew from the Jan 9, 2018 debris flow storm - no on is camping there.  The user-built lower camp is in good shape.  Would be good to build a few other sites as this is a popular camp.

Trail to the camp was in good shape, crossings treacherous.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Water crossing above and below Matilija were flowing fast and furious.
Weather Conditions:Cold, breezy, sunny - windbreaker and keep moving weather
Images:

This is the creek just above the camp, more appropriate for tubing
Matilija Camp Survey - 01-30-2019 - by Michelle Macgilfrey
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 01-30-2019
Surveyor Name:Michelle Macgilfrey
Camp Description:Part of camp in good shape and part of camp needing clearing and work sue to wash out. Creek was in good flow ankle to knee deep and clear.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Images:




Matilija Camp Survey - 11-25-2017 - by Hugh Warren
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 11-25-2017
Surveyor Name:Hugh Warren
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:The next camp up, at elevation 2026, also has flowing water.
Weather Conditions:clear and mid seventies at noon.
Matilija Camp Survey - 11-11-2017 - by Oh Three
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 11-11-2017
Surveyor Name:Oh Three
Camp Description:
We passed this camp on the way out, hiking downhill from the north. Plenty of water. Unfortunately, because it's so close to the south end, plenty of people also. Lots of day hikers passing through, and lots of "backpackers" carrying their gear the 30 minutes from their car to this site. So if you like crowds, this camp is for you!
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Matilija Camp Survey - 07-15-2017 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 07-15-2017
Surveyor Name:Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:I camped here last year in September, and the water level was noticeably higher this weekend. Was a scorching hot weekend, but we decided to hike the newly opened Matilija Falls trail and enjoyed basking in the swimming holes between treks.

It was pretty buggy, lots of flies in the morning and evening that liked to buzz around your face. There was a fair amount of red angry poison oak along the edges of the trail and dispersed through the camps so you definitely had to watch your footing. Gorgeous scenery and barely anyone else on the trails.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:95 daytime, 65 nighttime
Matilija Camp Survey - 05-28-2017 - by Andrew
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 05-28-2017
Surveyor Name:Andrew
Camp Description:This was a nice campsite, but bring bug spray or nets because it was fly and mosquito heavy at times. We stayed at the first campsite (the one without a grill) and enjoyed listening to the creek at night. There's a place for your hammock also. It's an easy 20-30 minute hike from the parking lot if you know where you're going so I would recommend this place to people looking for an introduction to backpacking.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:water was moving along and with enough volume to make some crossings challenging. it was easy to fill water and the quality was very good. However, it has decreased some from a couple months ago.
Weather Conditions:50 - 75 degrees F and clear
Matilija Camp Survey - 03-05-2017 - by Craig R. Carey
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 03-05-2017
Surveyor Name:Craig R. Carey
Camp Description:The intrepid mountain men of Boy Scout Troop 111 (Ventura) backpacked the length of the Upper North Fork (from Cherry Creek Road at Hwy 33 to lower Matilija TH) Friday 3/3 to Sunday 3/5.

Boys spent Sunday lunch at lower Matilija. Great water.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Fast and clear!
Weather Conditions:Drizzle
Images:

Lower Matilija; courtesy Sr Avila

Lower Matilija; courtesy Sr Avila
Matilija Camp Survey - 11-24-2016 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 11-24-2016
Surveyor Name:Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:Quite a few nice spots to camp. We chose to stay right by the river, unique spot. Short and easy hike from the parking spot just before walking through a gated ranch. 
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Matilija Camp Survey - 11-15-2016 - by Jasonn Beckstrand
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 11-15-2016
Surveyor Name:Jasonn Beckstrand
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:water flowing and nice pools to dunk in
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Matilija Camp Survey - 10-17-2016 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 10-17-2016
Surveyor Name:Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:plenty of water flow, some parts deep enough to take a dip
Weather Conditions:
Matilija Camp Survey - 08-15-2016 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 08-15-2016
Surveyor Name:Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Nice pools and plenty of flow
Weather Conditions:
Matilija Camp Survey - 05-21-2016 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 05-21-2016
Surveyor Name:Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Clear, cool water in creek. Flowing at campsite.
Weather Conditions:Cloudy 65 degrees during the day, Clear 45 degrees at night
Matilija Camp Survey - 05-07-2016 - by Jake Nonnemaker
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 05-07-2016
Surveyor Name:Jake Nonnemaker
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Good steady flow. Crossings over the water on the rocks was very easy.
Weather Conditions:cloudy, lows around 50, highs in mid/low 60s
Matilija Camp Survey - 03-12-2016 - by cuparius
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 03-12-2016
Surveyor Name:cuparius
Camp Description:The creek is flowing and some of the pools near camp are 4-5 feet deep.  Camp is in good shape, but unfortunately someone trashed the lower site.  There was litter strewn about everywhere: broken glass, aluminum cans, plastic wrappers, and even empty Primus Power Gas canisters.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Pool directly below upper site
Matilija Camp Survey - 01-14-2016 - by Craig R. Carey
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 01-14-2016
Surveyor Name:Craig R. Carey
Camp Description:The Cubs of Pack 3179 had a great (soggy) hike from Matilija TH to Middle Matilija, with an extended rock-hopping break at Matilija camp. Camp in good shape after the rains, good water.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:High 40s, drizzle.
Images:

Matilija Camp Survey - 11-27-2015 - by Koert DuBois
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 11-27-2015
Surveyor Name:Koert DuBois
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Water is flowing well but disappears underground in many sections
Weather Conditions:Sunny and Clear, About 60° Days, Below Freezing at Night
Matilija Camp Survey - 11-13-2015 - by Rick Kaylor
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 11-13-2015
Surveyor Name:Rick Kaylor
Camp Description:The hike to the camp is very easy and is relatively flat.  This camp is just a short hike so it is fairly over used.  It was dusty when I visited.  Good shade.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:The water was flowing well for mid-November.
Weather Conditions:Clear day with temperature around 56 degrees at 7:30 a.m..
Matilija Camp Survey - 11-09-2014 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 11-09-2014
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Matilija Camp Survey - 07-31-2014 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Matilija Camp
Date: 07-31-2014
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:Small fish visible in the creek as well
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:2 foot deep poole and water flowing nicely!
Weather Conditions:High reached 100Ëš
Images:


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Last Updated: Friday, March 27, 2015

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