7 am - Sunset
Emma Wood State Beach
2/23/2023 UPDATE:
Emma Wood State Beach - North Beach: The park will reopen Friday, February 3rd, 2023, for Day Use and Camping on a first-come, first-served basis.
The campground will remain partially closed as we continue our debris clearing and repairs.
Emma Wood State Beach - Group Camp: Initial damage assessments revealed that roads and trails have been severely compromised and, in some cases, have severe erosion and cannot be accessed due to these unsafe conditions.
The entry road, campground, and day use facilities require significant debris and sediment removal.
Infrastructure was destroyed in the floods, particularly drainage systems that allow water to be removed from the park’s facilities.
State Parks is engaged with local, State and Federal Emergency Operations to acquire the resources necessary for repairing these damages.
Channel Coast District staff is receiving support from around the state, and all efforts are being prioritized to bring back access to these beloved State Parks.
Please visit our Facebook page for progress updates.
Emma Wood State Beach - North Beach: The park will reopen Friday, February 3rd, 2023, for Day Use and Camping on a first-come, first-served basis.
The campground will remain partially closed as we continue our debris clearing and repairs.
Emma Wood State Beach - Group Camp: Initial damage assessments revealed that roads and trails have been severely compromised and, in some cases, have severe erosion and cannot be accessed due to these unsafe conditions.
The entry road, campground, and day use facilities require significant debris and sediment removal.
Infrastructure was destroyed in the floods, particularly drainage systems that allow water to be removed from the park’s facilities.
State Parks is engaged with local, State and Federal Emergency Operations to acquire the resources necessary for repairing these damages.
Channel Coast District staff is receiving support from around the state, and all efforts are being prioritized to bring back access to these beloved State Parks.
Please visit our Facebook page for progress updates.
Phone Number
(805) 585-1850
Max. Trailer Lengths
Trailer: Up to 45 Feet
Camper/Motorhome: Up to 45 Feet
Park Hours
Dogs Allowed?
Yes
Dogs allowed in campground and day-use area. Dogs not allowed on beach.
E-Bike LocationsDriving Directions to Emma Wood SB
The beach is two miles west of Ventura. North Beach is reached via Highway 101. The group camp’s entrance is at the west end of Main Street in Ventura.Visitors will be able to reserve campsites and lodging six months in advance from the current date. Bookings may extend from the arrival date to the desired departure date – based on availability and the park’s maximum stay rules.
Upcoming Park Events
No events scheduled at this moment.
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES
Family Campsites
Group Campsites
Hike or Bike Campsites
Primitive Camping
RV Access
Family Campsites
Group Campsites
Hike or Bike Campsites
Primitive Camping
RV Access
TRAIL USE
Bike Trails
Bike Trails
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Picnic Areas
Fishing
Beach Area
Swimming
Windsurfing/Surfing
Picnic Areas
Fishing
Beach Area
Swimming
Windsurfing/Surfing
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Parking
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.