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A dark green Toyota pickup with a roof tent parked in tall dry grass as mist closes in.

Forest Service campground

Rose Valley Campground

Forest Service campground in Los Padres National Forest, Ventura County, California. 3,405 feet. 6.8 miles from Ojai.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service Los Padres National Forest
Elevation
3,405 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
9 9 standard non-electric
Longest rig
20 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Ventura County

Overview

Break free from reality and take a scenic cruise along fabulous Highway 33 for a short drive from Ojai to Rose Valley Campground and Day Use Area. Whether you're day-tripping or camping, you can explore the running creek, visit the waterfalls, take a dip and hike the nearby trails and enjoy the local wildlife. Wildflowers and shady areas under cottonwood trees invite you to indulge in a rejuvenating nap.

Removed just far enough from civilization, the night sky here is fantastic, especially when gazing north, a perfect place to view meteor showers, satellites, comets and other celestial phenomenon.

Recreation

Rose Valley Falls is the principal attraction to this section of the Sespe. The trail to the falls begins at the southwest area of the campground between Campsites 4 and 5. Follow it for a half-mile and you will be at the base of the falls. The cliffs at the falls are arkosic sandstone and crumble easily, so tread lightly.

Rose Valley Falls is the tallest waterfall in the range. While it is an easy hike to the base of the 100-foot tall lower tier of the waterfall (0.8 miles round trip with 150 feet of elevation gain), it is an adventure to reach the more impressive upper tier. Please do not climb around on steep sections or get close to the edge. If you are not camping, you will need to park outside of the campground to hike the trails; otherwise, the day use fee for parking in the campground is $10.00.

Facilities

Rose Valley Campground has nine campsites. The campsites are very spacious, level, well-marked and well equipped with a picnic table, fire pit and/or a separate BBQ. There are enclosed trash receptacles around the park and an unlit single pit style toilet. There is no drinking water at this site; you must bring your own water.

Natural Features

Rose Valley Campground is the entry point to the legendary Rose Valley Falls, a magnificent two-tier 300-foot waterfall located on the west end of the Topatopa Mountains in Los Padres National Forest. If you are lucky, you may see coyotes, deer, bobcats, mountain lions or bears, which all live in this area. Frogs and toads, or ducks swimming on the lake, are a frequent sight as are red-tailed hawks soaring high above. Vegetation includes chamise, sage and toyon; toyon is especially beautiful in the fall and winter with its bright red berries.

This area is amazing during the fall; as the trees change, you will find yourself luxuriously encased by vibrant colors. If you like wildflowers, Rose Valley offers wild rose and poppies in the spring.

Nearby Attractions

Hiking trails, biking, fishing, within 30 minutes. Day trips to the higher elevation mountains for snow play in the winter. One mile away on the Rose Valley Road (6N31) is the Piedra Blanca Trailhead where there are three trails to explore, all located across Sespe Creek. The Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca National Recreation Trail (22W03) in the Sespe Wilderness will lead you to nearby massive white rocks, called Piedra Blanca! It is an easy walk for the first three miles.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • camping

The land around Rose Valley Campground

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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