A diverse coastal reserve where a sheltered beach meets fern-filled river canyons, redwood groves, and a rare pygmy forest shaped by centuries of unique soil conditions.
Some facilities such as visitor centers operate limited seasonal hours
Camping and special use fees vary depending on site and season
How to Get There
From Mendocino (3 mi): Drive south on CA-1 for about 3 miles into Little River, where the park entrance sits along the highway with beach access on the west side and inland trails extending to the east.
Overview
Van Damme State Park is a California state park of about 1,800 acres on the Mendocino Coast, where a sheltered beach at the mouth of Little River meets a fern-filled canyon, redwood and second-growth forest, and a rare pygmy forest. The park is named for Charles F. Van Damme (1881–1934), who was born in the area and whose land became part of the state park system after his death. Its most unusual feature is the pygmy forest, where acidic, nutrient-poor soil over a hardpan layer keeps cypress and pine trees only a few feet tall despite their age. People come to hike Fern Canyon, kayak and dive in the cove and nearby sea caves, tour the pygmy forest on an accessible boardwalk, and camp near the ocean.
Access
The park is on Highway 1 at Little River, about 3 miles south of Mendocino. The beach and its parking lot are on the west side of the highway, while the campgrounds, Fern Canyon trailhead and most trails lie to the east. The pygmy forest is reached by a separate road off Airport Road, with a small parking lot of about eight spaces. Nearly all visitors arrive by car, and large trailers should check current road and bridge conditions with the park before arriving. Dogs are allowed in the campground and on the beach but not on the Fern Canyon, Old Logging Road or Pygmy Forest trails.
Seasons
The climate is temperate year-round, with morning fog in summer that often clears by midday. Late spring through early fall is the most popular time, when the weather is best, the campgrounds fill, and the visitor center and summer programs operate. Spring brings greener trails and the canyon at its lushest, while fall often has calm, clear days. Winter is wet and quiet, with storm surf on the coast, muddy trails, and a seasonal closure of some facilities. Reservations for camping are strongly recommended from spring through fall.
Things to Do
Hike Fern Canyon
The Fern Canyon trail system follows Little River through a narrow, shaded canyon of ferns and second-growth redwoods, with options for shorter or longer loops.
Walk the Pygmy Forest Boardwalk
A short, flat boardwalk loop passes through the stunted cypress and pine of the pygmy forest and is wheelchair accessible.
Kayak and Dive at Little River Beach
The calm cove is a popular launch site for kayaking and diving, and local outfitters offer rentals and summer tours of nearby sea caves and tide pools.
Camp and Join Ranger Programs
In summer the park hosts interpretive hikes and campfire programs, and the campgrounds make a good base for exploring the Mendocino Coast.
Top Trails
Fern Canyon Trail
Length: 5.6 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Not published
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
This trail follows the Little River up a lush canyon beneath redwoods and ferns, and shorter or longer loops are possible. Dogs are not permitted on this trail.
Pygmy Forest Trail
Length: 0.25 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
This flat, wheelchair-accessible boardwalk leads through the dwarf forest, with interpretive signs about its unusual soils. It is reached from a separate parking lot off Airport Road.
Visitor Centers
The park visitor center occupies a 1930s building that once served as a Civilian Conservation Corps recreation hall. It has interpretive exhibits and is open seasonally, so call (707) 937-4016 for current hours. The entrance kiosk is also staffed seasonally, and trail maps and information are available there and on the California State Parks website.
Camping and Lodging
The park has two campgrounds with more than 65 drive-in sites, including standard sites, tent-only sites and a group site; reservations are strongly recommended from spring through fall and can be made up to six months ahead through ReserveCalifornia. Hike-in sites along Fern Canyon have been listed as closed for maintenance. Inns, bed and breakfasts and restaurants are found in Little River (1 mile), Mendocino (3 miles) and Fort Bragg, a short drive north. Other state park campgrounds nearby include Russian Gulch State Park and MacKerricher State Park. Lodging on the coast fills quickly in summer and on holiday weekends.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Van Damme State Park, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0. Additional information from California State Parks.
