Emma Wood State Beach Campground California
Emma Wood State Beach Overview
Emma Wood State Beach campground has 90 beach-front primitive campsites and all have beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands. All campsites are for self-contained vehicles only (no tent or car camping allowed). The campsites are not too level and may contact a mixture of asphalt, dirt, rocks and debris; but hey – you can’t beat the beachfront property! The maximum trailer/RV length ranges from 40 to 52 feet. Campsites can have up to 3 vehicles and 8 people.
This is a primitive campground and there is no water, dump station, electricity, phones or tables. There are about 6 vault toilets located at the check in station. You can make reservations from mid-May through Labor Day. After that it is first-come, first-serve. Keep in mind that high-tides may close the campground at any time (elevation is only a few feet).
Group and hike/bike camping are also available at Emma Wood Group and Ventura River Group Camps. 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. Facilities include restrooms, water (no hook-ups), fire rings, tables, and a lighted parking lot.
Emma Wood State Beach – Area Recreation
Emma Wood State Beach has a moderate climate and is popular for surf fishing, swimming (although the water is chilly), biking, beach combing, photography, whale watching and wildlife viewing. A freshwater marsh at the southwest end of the beach attract raccoons, songbirds and red-tailed hawks. The beach also features the crumbling ruins of a World War II coastal artillery site. Day use parking is available along Pacific Coast Highway (1) just north of the campground.
Faria Beach County Park campground is just a few miles up the coast. And you may also like Lake Casitas Recreation Area.
Make a Reservation for Emma Wood State Beach
Amenities
- Fire Rings
- Group Camping
- Pets OK
- Restrooms (Vault Toilets)
Activities
- Beach
- Beach Access
- Beach Combing
- Biking
- Bird Watching
- Creek
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historic Sites
- Iron Ranger
- Kayaking
- Kite Surfing
- Mountain Biking
- Nature Trails
- Ocean
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Stargazing
- Surf Fish
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Walking Trails
- Whale Watching
- Wildlife Viewing
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Take your pick - all are beachfront!
Regions
Campsite Types
- ADA
- Group
- Primitive
- RV
- Trailer
# of Campsites:
90
Campsite Vehicle Size:
40 to 52 feet
Season:
Year Round
Elevation:
4
Emma Wood State Beach Photos & Video
Emma Wood State Beach Comments & Reviews
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We were wondering what the fee to camp at Emma Woods Beach is and how long can we stay. Thank you!
HI Diane,
Camping at Emma Wood State Beach is $40 per night (peak season) and $30 per night (off season). There’s also a $7.99 reservation fee. You can stay up to 14 consecutive days at Emma Woods State Beach campground. You can click on the ‘Make A Reservation’ button to check availablity, pricing and make reservations.
Do you offer Day passes?
Hi Sonia,
You can park right next to Emma Wood State Beach and you don’t need a day pass. You do need a reservation to enter the campground area.
What section of campgrounds are back up to ocean and not parallel with the ocean. Thanks.
Hi Jamie,
I’d say 90% of the campsites at Emma Wood State Beach campground are back in. You can get an idea from the photos.
Would a small tent be allowed next to our RV for our grandson?
Hi Christiane,
Emma Wood State Beach campground only allows self-contained RVs or Trailers. Tent camping is not allowed. Sorry about that.
does Emma Wood State Beach gave any portable toilets
Yes, Emma Wood State Beach has vault toilets down by the check in station/kiosk under the bridge.
We have a van, two service animals’ and a pop up toilet tent. Would this work here?
Hi Amy,
Not sure if the host/park ranger will allow. I recommend you give them a call to check at: 805 968-1033
Hello,
I am planning to try and get a couple nights in at Emma Woods North beach with a RV on a first come first serve basis. I have never done this before. Is it as simple as driving up and finding a spot and parking and then paying the park Ranger? Or do you pull up to a gate and they tell you if there is space and which spaces? Lastly, what is the earliest time you can show for first come first serve? Thank you and stay safe.
Paul
Hi Paul,
Great question! If a ranger is on duty, you’ll check in with them first to see what first-come, first-serve campsites are available at Emma Wood State Beach. If there isn’t a ranger on duty (self-pay), you can go pick any that are not occupied and/or reserved. Thanksgiving weekend will probably be busy – maybe sold out, but midweek and other weekends (November – May) should have a good amount of campsites available. Check in is 2pm, but you can get there around 11am and see if any sites are available. If you’re planning on the Thanksgiving weekend – I’d advise trying to get there on Tuesday or Wednesday to try and get a site. Hope this helps. Best of luck and have fun!
Will spot 80 work for a 29″ class A?
Hi Ricky,
Campsite #80 is listed with a pad length of 28 feet. With that said – there’s some overhang area and room to angle your trailer if needed. It should fit fine.
I know we are allowed 2 vehicles with extra charge, is there room for 2 cars at the campsite?
Hi Kimberly,
It depends on the campsite, but most all of the campsites at Emma Wood State Beach can fit two vehicles.
Hello,
Is there a gate that closes at a certain time? I am wondering if I arrive after hours if I’ll be able to get to my reserved spot.
Hi Mary,
As far as I know, the gate remains open when the campground is open.
Which spot would be better for a 32 foot RV, site 16 or site 85?
Hi Kim,
Campsite #16 lists a parking pad length of 26 feet. Campsite #84 has a parking pad length of 45 feet.
Are you allowed to pull a motor home straight in for a better view out the front? My site is #10
Hi R.C.
Yes – you can!
will spot 1 fit one trailer and 2 vehicles? how many people max?
Hi Jody,
The list campsite #2 has having a parking spur that is 12 feet long/deep and 24 feet wide. You can have up to three vehicles and 8 people per site, but not sure if you can fit a trailer and 2 vehicles on site #1. There is another 4-5 feet (deep) of dirt off the back. All wheels need to be on the paved are though.
We booked this place with a trailer and tow vehicle. However we want to bring a second vehicle and it happens to be a TINY truck camper, is that going to be ok? Like it’s a Tacoma with a tiny camper on the truck bed. I don’t know if they would allow that as the second vehicle? It’s small and doesn’t take up space like a regular trailer but maybe they would say it’s a trailer and you can’t have two trailers in one spot???? We booked site #60 which I know has a lot of room.
Hi Jody,
You can have up to 3 vehicles and 8 people per site at Emma Wood State Beach campsites. A trailer counts as a vehicle. So you can have any combo of tow vehicles and trailers as long as you don’t exceed 3.
Does having a truck camper with a cassette toilet count as self contained? Are they going to want to see it?
Hi Marbella,
Not positive, but that may work. The ranger/host may ask to see your set up.
Where is the closest dump site if needed?
Hi Michael,
Probably the nearest dump station to Emma Wood State Beach would be the Ventura Beach RV Resort. They will charge of cours – 800 W Main St, Ventura, CA 93001
can I go to Emma beach for the day only and if so what time is it available.
Hi Martha,
Yes – you can visit Emma Wood State Beach anytime during the day. Day use parking is available along Pacific Coast Highway (1) just north of the campground. Parking is free (no overnight camping allowed in day use).
What’s the difference between upper and lower?
Hi Dale,
I’m not familiar with ‘upper and lower’ and Emma Wood State Beach . . .
I drive a pickup truck with camper shell. Does this qualify as ‘fully contained” ? It does not have a bathroom, but I camp in the back frequently.
Hi Johnny,
The ‘fully contained’ definition includes having a bathroom.
Can you make reservations for Group Camping (Ventura River Group Camp) OTHER than online? The reservation portal shows all days after Labor Day as “walk in”. Kind of tough to bring a group in on a standby basis. Suggestions are welcome. Thank you!
Good question Mark.
And I’m unsure. If ReserveCalifornia indicates the group sites are walk-in, then you probably can’t make reservations. You could try calling ReserveCalifornia to double check (1-800-444-7275), or Emma Wood State Beach: 805 968-1033.