Emma Wood State Beach
*HEAT ALERT: With temperatures set to exceed 110 degrees throughout much of the state this week, California is urging everyone to take extra precautions as they celebrate the Fourth of July. Governor Newsom has directed the Office of Emergency Services to activate its State Operations Center. Read about how California is preparing for this heatwave. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for parts of California from 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 2, through Sunday, July 7, at 8 p.m. PDT. Please be sure to take extra precautions when heading outdoors and know before you go by checking the park’s webpage ahead of time. Visit our safety tips webpage and get the latest on the weather at weather.gov.
The Park is currently OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS IN SERVICES AND/OR FACILITIES.
4/25/2024 - Emma Wood State Beach Park Closures
- Emma Wood State Beach – North Beach is closed until further notice. Due to major damaged to the entrance road, the park will remain fully closed for repairs. All reservations through June 24th, 2024, will be cancelled and affected parties will be contacted accordingly. There is no anticipated date of reopening at this time.
- Emma Wood State Beach - Group Camp is open.
Park Facilities
Trailer: 45 Feet
Camper/Motorhome: 45 Feet
Camper/Motorhome: 45 Feet
Family Campsites
Group Campsites
Hike or Bike Campsites
Primitive Camping
RV Access
Group Campsites
Hike or Bike Campsites
Primitive Camping
RV Access
Parking
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Moderate temperatures help make Emma Wood State Beach popular for swimming, surfing and fishing. Catches include perch, bass, cabezon and corbina. The Ventura River estuary is at the mouth of the Ventura River at the southeast end of the park. It attracts a variety of wildlife including raccoons, songbirds and great blue herons. Dolphins are occasionally seen just offshore. The park also features the crumbling ruins of a World War II coastal artillery site. The offshore Channel Islands can be seen from the beach.
Emma Wood State Beach offers family camping for self-contained vehicles only and group camping is available at Ventura River Group Camp.
Emma Wood State Beach offers primitive camping for fully self-contained vehicles ONLY. Tents are not permitted. No water, restrooms, electricity, fire rings, or phones or dump station are available. There are 90 campsites, which are not level and may contain a mixture of asphalt, dirt, cobble and ocean debris. Maximum vehicle length is 40 feet, due to small turnaround areas.
High tides may close the campground at any time. Railroad tracks and Highway 101 are adjacent to the campground which can be noisy. Leashed dogs are permitted in the campground only, and are prohibited on the beach.
Group camping is available at Ventura River Group Camp, with reservations required year around. This group campground is separated by 2 freeway miles from Emma Wood State Beach. The group sites offer developed tent camping for groups of up to 30 people and primitive RV camping for groups up to 50 people and 20 vehicles. The maximum length for an RV is 45 feet.
Notice: For the latest Ocean Water Quality Advisory click here or call Ventura County's Environmental Health Hotline at (805) 662-6555.
Now Hiring!
Ventura River Group Camp offers four developed group campsites, each with a capacity of 30 people. Groups may reserve one or more campsites, subject to availability. Camping gear must be carried a short distance from the parking lot to the campsites. Facilities include restrooms, water (no hook-ups), fire rings, tables, and a lighted parking lot.
A primitive RV camping area is also available for groups up to 50 people and a maximum RV length of 45'.
Reservations are required year-round for all camping at Ventura River Group Camp.
There is a day use area in the park, and beach access is available. A bike path connects the park to nearby Ventura and also to the coast highway to the north.
