Sespe Wilderness, Nature reserve in Ventura County, United States

Sespe Wilderness is a 219,700-acre (88,900 ha) protected area in the eastern Topatopa and southern Sierra Pelona mountains of Los Padres National Forest, Ventura County. It is mostly chaparral with California oak woodland and riparian habitat. Sespe Creek, a 55-mile free-flowing tributary of the Santa Clara River, runs through it, and the terrain ranges from river valleys to steep sandstone cliffs.

The Sespe Wilderness was created by the United States Congress in 1992 under the Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act (Public Law 102-301). The same law established the Chumash, Garcia, Machesna Mountain, Matilija and Silver Peak wilderness areas. The Sespe Condor Sanctuary, set up to support the propagation of the California condor, lies inside the wilderness and is closed to the public.

The wilderness lies within the traditional lands of the Chumash people. Archaeological sites, petroglyphs and old village locations have been found there, and bands from Piru, Sespe and Mupu used the land for hunting, gathering, ceremonies and trade routes. Many Chumash still come here for cultural practices.

Trails reach the Sespe from Rose Valley Road off Highway 33, including the Sespe River Trail past Rose Valley Falls to the Piedra Blanca Trailhead. The Middle Sespe Trail runs 8 miles east to Rock Creek, and the Piedra Blanca Trail leads about 10 miles to Willet Hot Springs. The Sespe Condor Sanctuary is closed to the public.

The Sespe Condor Sanctuary lies inside the wilderness and is closed to the public, set aside to support the propagation and growth of the California condor. The same 1992 law that created the wilderness also established the Chumash, Garcia, Machesna Mountain, Matilija and Silver Peak wilderness areas.