Matilija Wilderness
Steep and brushy, overgrown with alder and maple in the canyons with a few stands of conifers in the higher country, the Matilija Wilderness includes the scenic canyons of Matilija Creek, as well as its North Fork. Sixteen miles of the creek have been nominated for Wild and Scenic designation. The creek flows year-round and drains southward, and the elevation climbs steadily and steeply as you hike north. Look for the majestic Matilija poppy, which grows in clumps up to two feet high. You may see black bears, deer, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, hawks, eagles, and California condors. Only one trail exists.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | U.S. Forest Service |
| State | California |
| Size | 29,207 acres |
| Designated | 1992, by Congress |
| Center point | 34.56° N, 119.40° W |
| Night sky | About as dark as the ground gets (Black Marble reading 16) |
Boundary map
Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees Federal campground
The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.
Weather by month
Large units span more than one climate. The station stands in for the center point, and the outer parts of the boundary can be warmer or colder.
Where to camp
None of the 8 federal campgrounds within ten miles sit inside the boundary. Nearest first. Distances are from the campground point to the boundary edge, from the Campsite Atlas index.
Trails
1 named Forest Service trail enters this wilderness, 8 miles in all.
| Trail | Miles | Allowed uses |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Matilija ↗ | 8.2 |
Lengths and allowed uses come from the Forest Service trail layer by way of Trailhead Atlas. This trail list was copied from Trailhead Atlas on November 1, 2026 and is copied again on each weekly run. Trails in plain text have no page there yet.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- 5.6 miPratt, Charles M., House ↗Ojai, CA
- 6.5 miSt. Thomas Aquinas Chapel ↗Ojai, CA
- 6.6 miIsis Theater ↗Ojai, CA
- 9.2 miMadulce Guard Station and Site ↗Santa Barbara, CA
- 11.4 miSan Buenaventura Mission Aqueduct ↗Ventura, CA
- 11.8 miAcacia Lodge ↗Santa Barbara, CA
- 12.2 miVal Verde ↗Santa Barbara, CA
- 14.3 miRattlesnake Canyon Bridge ↗Santa Barbara, CA
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Guidebooks for California
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Matilija Wilderness?
29,207 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Matilija Wilderness?
The U.S. Forest Service.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Matilija Wilderness in?
California.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Matilija Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1992.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Can I camp at Matilija Wilderness?
Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from roads, with no facilities, and the managing agency page has the permit rules. The federal campgrounds within ten miles are listed under Where to camp.
Source: Where to camp
How do I get to Matilija Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 34.555° N, 119.404° W. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Are there historic places near Matilija Wilderness?
The National Register has 10 listings within 15 miles, including Pratt, Charles M., House and St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel.
Source: Register Atlas
Sources
- Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
- Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
- Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
- Trails: the Trailhead Atlas open-data file of Forest Service trails, matched on the wilderness each trail enters.
- Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
- Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.