McGrath State Beach Camping

McGrath State Beach

Flooding Caution

Campgrounds at McGrath State Beach have had flooding problems since 2013. As of December 2018 one unit of the campground is open for first-come, first-served camping. Check the McGrath State Beach website before making camping plans.

McGrath State Beach

Campground Information

Campground reservations are not site specific. You will be assigned a site upon arrival. As with other state park, sites are limited to 8 people. Additional vehicles require an additional fee, with a maximum of 3 vehicles per site.

Dogs must be kept on leash in the campground and in closed vehicle or tent at night. Fires are limited to the provided fire rings. The dump station closes at sunset and the main gate at 10:00 PM. The campground is about 400 yards from the beach.

Suggestions and Comments from Previous Campers

1. Cover your food when not around to protect it from seagulls.
2. Campsites closest to the beach are the best.
3. Hot water showers require quarters. Bring shower sandals.
4. Restrooms were upgraded in 2012.

Camping at Nearby State Beaches

Emma Wood State Beach
North Beach Campground

Just north of Ventura, Emma Wood State Beach's North Beach Campground has 86 ocean-front camping for self-contained RVs or trailers. No tents are permitted. The sites are dirt parking spaces along the ocean side of State Beach Access Road off Highway 101. Some of the spaces have uneven surfaces. There are no facilities other than a portable chemical toilet. Most sites have rocks already assembled into a campfire circle.

High tides during the winter months often close the campground. Reservations are available for camping dates from mid-May through Labor Day weekend. At other times the sites are first come, first served.

The size of the sites vary. In general they range from 20 feet up to 45 feet. Most are back-in sites. The state park website states that RVs are limited to 40 feet because of the small turn-around area. Peak season is from May 15 to September 15.

Emma Wood's Ventura River Group Camp has tent and RV sites for groups as large as 50 as well as Enroute RV sites and Hike and Bike sites.

Campground Fees and Reservations

• North Beach Campground - $40 peak season, $30 off season
• Ventura River Group Camps A, B, C, D - $130
• Ventura River Primitive Group Camp - $360
• Ventura River Group Camp Enroute sites - $30
• Hike and Bike Sites - $10
• Reservations: ReserveCalifornia - Emma Wood State Beach

Ventura River Group Campground

Group Tent Sites A - D

Within the Ventura River Group Campground, there are four group tent sites. Each site accommodates a minimum of 9 people and a maximum of 30, along with 5 vehicles (including trailers). Camping equipment must be carried a short distance from the parking lot to the site.

The sites each have a campfire ring and several tables. Water is available from a central faucet. The group camps share a centralized restroom and cold water shower. Reservations are required for camping dates from mid-March through Labor Day weekend.

Group RV Site

The Group RV Site has a capacity of 20 self-contained vehicles and up to 50 people. Parking is on a gravel surface. Reservations are required for camping dates from mid-March through Labor Day weekend.

Enroute Camping Site

The Enroute site is for self-contained RVs or trailers arriving late in the day. Occupants of these sites must vacate them by 9:00 AM the following morning.

Hike and Bike Campsites

Hike and Bike campsites are intended for people without a vehicle who are hiking or biking. Hike and Bike sites are usually primitive, some without any facilities. At Ventura River Group Campground there are restrooms and outdoor cold showers. The Hike and Bike campsites are on a first come, first served basis. Check-in time is 4:00 PM and check-out is at 9:00 AM. Length of stay is limited to one night.

Nearby RV Campgrounds

Ventura Beach RV Resort

800 West Main Street, Ventura, CA
(805) 643-9137
Ventura Beach RV Resort
RV Sites: 144 sites with full hook-ups (30/50 amp)
WiFi, picnic table, fire ring, grass, shade
Tent Sites: 36 sites with water and electricity, 34 sites without hook-ups
Amenities: 24-hour on-site security, general store, bike rentals, pool, spa, showers, restrooms, laundry, playground, sports and games
Rates: $$

Ventura Oaks RV Park

255 Burnham Rd., Oak View, CA
(805) 649-9103
Ventura Oaks RV Park
RV Sites: 60 RV sites, WiFi, full hook-Ups
Amenities: Laundry, hot showers, restrooms, picnic area

Evergreen RV Park

2135 North Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard, CA
(805) 485-1936
Evergreen RV Park
RV Sites: 94 sites with full hook-ups (20/30/50 amp), up to 42', WiFi
Amenities: Reading room and lounge, laundry, soda machine, restrooms, hot showers, picnic area
Rates: $$