Matilija Wilderness
[2] The wilderness is located about 12 miles (19 km) northwest of Ojai[3] in the Santa Ynez Mountains and spans most of the watershed of Matilija Creek, the main tributary of the Ventura River.[5] The area is extremely remote and rugged and is characterized by rock outcrops, crumbling slopes and steep canyons filled with brushy vegetation, with some gentler terrain in the northern part of the wilderness.[8] Wildlife found in this area include black bear, deer, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, quail, rabbits, raccoons and squirrels.[11] The Upper North Fork of Matilija Creek, today a recreational trail, was historically a mail route between inland and coastal parts of Ventura County before the construction of Highway 33 bypassed this area.[18] A coalition of environmental groups and hikers reached a settlement in 2016 for a public easement through the Bonsall ranch, in return for relocating part of the trail east of Matilija Creek and putting up signs to discourage trespassing off-trail.
IUCN categorywilderness areaVenturaSanta BarbaraCaliforniaOjai, CaliforniaU.S. Forest ServiceSouthernLos Padres National ForestDick Smith WildernessSespe WildernessCalifornia condorSanta Ynez MountainsMatilija CreekVentura RiverSespe CreekSanta Clara RiverRiparian zonesMatilija poppyVentureñoChumashApocynum cannabinumCalifornia Gold RushJoaquin MurrietaPiru CreekHighway 33Matilija Hot SpringssteelheadMatilija DamLyons SpringsLos Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act of 1992National Wild and Scenic Rivers SystemeasementThomas FireMatilija FireList of U.S. Wilderness AreasVentura County Historic Landmarks & Points of InterestGeographic Names Information SystemUnited States Geological SurveyUnited States Department of the InteriorCoyote CreekCasitas SpringsMeiners OaksMira MonteOak ViewOrtonvilleWheeler SpringsCalifornia State Route 33Casitas DamEmma Wood State BeachLake CasitasRancho Cañada Larga o VerdeRancho Cañada de San MiguelitoRancho OjaiRancho Santa AnaSan Buenaventura Mission AqueductTopatopa MountainsVentura and Ojai Valley RailroadVentura Oil FieldVentura River Parkway TrailProtected areas of CaliforniaNational Park SystemChannel IslandsDeath ValleyJoshua TreeKings CanyonLassen VolcanicPinnaclesRedwoodSequoiaYosemiteMojaveCabrilloCastle MountainsCésar E. ChávezDevils PostpileLava BedsMuir WoodsTule LakePoint ReyesRosie the Riveter World War II Home FrontSan Francisco MaritimeEugene O'NeillFort PointJohn MuirManzanarPort Chicago Naval MagazineGolden GateSanta Monica MountainsWhiskeytown–Shasta–TrinityCalifornia State ParksAhjumawi Lava SpringsAndrew MoleraAngel IslandAño NuevoAnza-Borrego DesertArthur B. Ripley Desert WoodlandBidwell–Sacramento RiverBig Basin RedwoodsBorder FieldBothe-Napa ValleyBurton CreekButanoCalaveras Big TreesCastle CragsCastle RockCaswell MemorialChina CampChino HillsClear LakeCoast DairiesCrystal CoveCuyamaca RanchoD. L. BlissDel Norte Coast RedwoodsDonner MemorialDos RiosEd Z'berg Sugar Pine PointEmerald BayThe Forest of Nisene MarksFort Ord DunesFremont PeakGarrapataGaviotaGreat Valley GrasslandsGrizzly Creek Redwoods