Park At Tar Creeks Ranch

100%

40 reviews

· Ojai, Ventura, California · 13 acres

Hosted by Peter D.

RV/tent site

· 4 guests max

Near Channel Islands National Park

Within a 60-minute drive from the Channel Islands Visitor Center.

Peter is a Star Host

Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.

Welcome to our tranquil ranch nestled among oak and pine trees, offering a serene getaway with stunning views of the Topatopa bluffs. Our site is the perfect place to disconnect and immerse yourself in nature, with five ephemeral creeks meandering through the 13-acre property. As a Leave No Trace environment, we ask that all guests come fully self-contained. While we don't yet have a compost toilet set up, we do provide a potable water hookup for your convenience. Please be mindful of your impact on the land and practice responsible camping during your stay. There are 4 permanent residents on the land, including me, who are in and out of the ranch daily, and our driveway passes near your campsite. So while you have privacy in the trees, you may have smile-and-wave distance interaction with other humans during your stay. A one-mile trail winds through the property that you are welcome to enjoy. Let me know if you are interested and I will show you were to find the trailhead. The path leads you to fascinating sites such as the caldera of a tar volcano, ancient Chumash cupules and mortars on boulders, and a tar marsh where wildlife thrives. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, botanist, birder, hiker, or simply seeking peace, this land offers something for you. We welcome guests to stay for a maximum of three days, but we're open to accommodating longer stays upon request. Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with the beauty of the natural world. We look forward to hosting you!Get off the highway and park safely in a quiet grove of oak and pine trees, and wake up to a view of the 6,300-foot Topatopa bluffs. I don't yet have my compost toilet set up (yet), so this is a Leave No Trace situation. Please only book this site if you are fully self-contained! I have a potable water hookup. Five ephemeral creeks cross the land, which is partly on the valley floor and partly in the foothills of Sulphur Mountain. Stretch your legs on the a one-mile trail that visits sites of interest on the 13-acres, including the caldera of a tar volcano, a boulder with Chumash cupules and mortars, and a tar marsh where you can often find animal skeletons. Guests have access to a water spigot within hose distance of your camping site as well as access to a 1-mile hiking trail on the back acres. Less than a mile from Sisar Canyon hiking trail and three miles from Santa Paula Canyon, both of which flow most of the year—most years, and a quarter mile from The Summit burger stand and amenities at The Stagecoach General Store.

RV details

Travel trailers, Pop-up campers, Class B RVs, Campervans, and Cars allowed

Vehicles under 20 feet allowed

Pull-in site

Surface type: Grass or field

Surface levelness: Flat

No Fifth wheels, Toy haulers, Class A RVs, and Class C RVs

Doesn't accommodate slideouts

Water hookup available

On-site hookup

No electrical hookup

No sewage hookup

No TV hookup

Generators not allowed

What to expect

RV/tent site

You'll have this Hipcamp all to yourself.

4 guests max

Pets allowed

On leash. Please only bring well-behaved dogs

No campfires

No toilet; campers must bring camp toilets

Potable water available

Spigot, hose

No showers

Pack it out

Cooking equipment absent

Picnic table absent

No wifi

Laundry absent

Hot Tub absent

No playground

Things to know

Getting there

Check in: After 2:00 PM

Check out: Before 12:00 PM

On arrival: Meet with Host

Cancellation policy: Moderate

Minimum nights: 1 night

Accepts bookings: 3 months out

Park at listing

No wheelchair access

Max 1 vehicle

2WD accessible

During your trip

Follow the

Leave it better

Inclusion policyWe have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp. We are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper communities be inclusive.

ExtrasAvailable at checkout

Guided nature walkexperience

$20.00

A one-mile guided walk on the land with your host, Peter—a writer/teacher and environmental non-profit executive director—who will take you through the geomorphology, climatology, and ethnobotanical history of the Ojai Valley. Day or night walk options available depending on Peter's schedule.

Reviews

100% Recommend47 ratings · 40 reviews

Jen W.

3 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· March 2025

Exceptional, Wondrous Experience

Tent

This is a comfortable, safe, and peaceful camping location close to nature yet within easy enough reach of downtown Ojai to start to feel like glamping. Loved staring at the stars at night, and hearing the surround-sound of frogs at dusk, coyotes in the evening, and all sorts of birds going about their business in the daytime. Peter is super warm, engaging, and at ease. He’s also responsive and was accommodating when I initially rescheduled my reservation. Highly recommend the guided nature hike, which is easily what made the trip unique and memorable. There is so much diversity and Peter’s knowledge and reverence of the land, flora and habitats, and Native American culture connect you with the rare specialness and vulnerability of the area.

David E.

2 reviews

Recommends

· March 2025

18 ft travel trailer

It's a nice quiet spot. Peter was super friendly. I wouldn't hesitate to stay again.

Eva D.

4 reviews

Recommends

· March 2025

Safe & beautiful location

20 ft campervan

This place was beautiful! Even better than expected. Caught a stunning pink sunset over the mountains, and heard frogs and coyotes and a great horned owl at dusk. As a solo female traveler, felt super safe in a private spot under the oaks but with people nearby in case I needed anything. 10/10 would recommend!

Paul W.

2 reviews

Recommends

· February 2025

20 ft Class B

Peter, the host was very friendly and helpful. Safe, quiet and peaceful. Highly recommended.

Megan M.

2 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· February 2025

12 ft campervan

Great spot! We didn’t meet Peter but communication was good & close to Ojai!

Sam S.

3 reviews

Recommends

· January 2025

Highly recommend!

15 ft campervan

This was the perfect spot for my solo overnight in Ojai! I felt so safe and Peter’s place is beautiful. Stunning view of the mountains, sunset, and sunrise. I felt very rejuvenated leaving this spot!

Location

Ojai, Ventura, California, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Chumash and Ventureño Chumash First Nations according to

Native Land Digital.

To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking