State park
Van Damme State Park
Van Damme State Park is a state park in Mendocino County, California. Hours: 6 AM to Sunset.
Van Damme State Park map
Van Damme State Park boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
Common questions
- Van Damme State Park has 6 developed campgrounds. Sites can be reserved in advance.
- Hours: 6 AM to Sunset.
- No, day use at Van Damme State Park does not need a reservation; pay the entry fee on arrival.
- Yes, dogs are allowed at Van Damme State Park.
Before you go
Day use needs no reservation; pay the entry fee on arrival.
Camping at Van Damme State Park
Van Damme State Park has 6 developed campgrounds. Sites can be reserved in advance.
Trails
- Pygmy Forest Trail Wheelchair-accessible boardwalk to stunted cypress and pine
- Fern Canyon Trail Lush canyon along Little River through ferns and redwoods
- Old Logging Road Trail Fire-road route linking pygmy forest and Fern Canyon
- Pygmy Forest and Fern Canyon Loop Samples pygmy forest, upland forest, and Fern Canyon; 300 ft gain
What to see
- Feature Pygmy Forest Mature cone-bearing cypress and pine only 6 inches to 8 feet tall
- Feature Fern Canyon Sword-fern hillsides and redwoods along Little River
- Feature Van Damme Beach Kayak launch cove popular for diving and tide-pool tours
Public lands next to Van Damme State Park
- BLM unitVan Damme State Park borders California Coastal National Monument.
- State parkVan Damme State Park borders Mendocino Headlands State Park.
- State parkRussian Gulch State Park is 2.2 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
- State parkNavarro River Redwoods State Park is 2.7 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
- https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=433 (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_state_parks (accessed 2026-09-28)