After one year in development, the County of Ventura Parks Department has just fielded a new online reservation system. The system, developed by Art Street Interactive, Inc., allows the public to look up details about camping and group use areas, view maps and campsite photos, check availability of sites open to reservation, make camping reservations, and pay for their stay, all via the internet.

Previously, all reservations had to be booked through the reservation desk. Camping customers will now be able to completely bypass that desk. Being web based, reservations can be booked on any device that has internet access. All County parks that have camping and group use areas are listed with flash maps showing the park layout. Although reservations are not accepted at beachfront parks, they are featured online, so that campers may check the availability of campsites, and review available services.

Holders of California State Parks Distinguished Veterans cards will be able to register on this system, which will then allow them to book reservations online and receive their discount automatically (field verification may still be required). As an added incentive to use the system, online only camping discounts of 5% to 10% are available Tuesday through Thursday in selected parks.

All current rules for making reservations and cancellations still apply. Group use reservations, large camping groups (10 or more sites), and youth camping, will still need to be booked through the reservation desk. We encourage these customers to check the availability of these sites/areas online before calling the reservation desk.

For more information about the Ventura County Parks, please call (805) 654-3951; visit our new website at http://gsa.countyofventura.org/parks or send an email to county.parks@ventura.org.