Van Damme Sp Campground

Open — The campground is currently open to existing reservations with a limited number of first-come, first-served sites available. A temporary 10-foot-wide bridge restricts access to sites east of Little River and requires careful maneuvering for trailers.

About

Van Damme State Park Campground is located along the scenic Mendocino Coast, three miles south of the town of Mendocino on Highway 1. The campground sits in a narrow, forested canyon along Little River, surrounded by coast redwoods, ferns, and lush coastal vegetation. With over 1,800 acres of beach and upland, the park offers diverse experiences from ocean kayaking to redwood forest exploration. The campground features more than 65 drive-in campsites spread through the canyon, plus 9 primitive hike-in environmental sites located 1.75 miles into Fern Canyon. Campsites are dry camping (no hookups) with potable water, flush toilets, coin-operated showers, picnic tables, fire rings, and food lockers provided. The park is accessible to RVs and trailers, though a temporary 10-foot-wide bridge limits access to some sites and requires maneuvering for larger rigs. Van Damme's trail system is exceptional. The 2.5-mile Fern Canyon Scenic Trail follows Little River through towering redwoods and a carpet of ferns on a relatively flat, stroller-friendly path. The Old Logging Road Trail connects to the unusual Pygmy Forest, where mature cypress and pine trees stand only inches to feet tall due to nutrient-poor soil. A wheelchair-accessible boardwalk loop allows visitors to explore this unique ecosystem. Beach access is directly across Highway 1, where visitors can launch kayaks in the protected cove, explore tide pools and sea caves, or dive in designated areas. The park's temperate climate features cool summers with morning fog and mild, rainy winters.

Directions

The park is located three miles south of the town of Mendocino on Highway 1. The campground entrance is on the east side of the highway, across from Van Damme Beach.

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