Emma Wood State Beach

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.

Special Events

Emma Wood State Beach hosts two separate camping areas for recreation and special events: Emma Wood North Beach and Ventura River Group Camp. Moderate temperatures make Emma Wood State Beach popular for swimming, surfing, and fishing. 

On the downcoast end of the iconic Rincon Parkway, North Beach provides a long, beautiful stretch of sand that is popular for all ocean activities. The beachfront campground runs along the historic Roosevelt Highway, offering unparalleled ocean views but no permanent amenities. 

At the Ventura River mouth is Ventura River Group Camp, which provides 5 group campsites, day use parking, and beach access. The offshore Channel Islands can be seen from the beach. The large open, coastal space provides an excellent staging area for large events or sites can be combined for a unique group camping experience. Group campsites will be available year-round by online reservations beginning January 2023.

Omer Rains Coastal Bike Trail

Emma Wood State Beach is located along the Omer Rains Coastal Bike Trail, which runs from San Buenaventura State Beach to west of Emma Wood State Beach.

Please submit an inquiry for the quickest response. For additional questions, contact Ventura.SpecialEvents@parks.ca.gov or call (805) 746-7095 to speak with the Special Event Coordinator about your event at Emma Wood State Beach.