Your Guide to Van Damme State Park

Just a few miles from Mendocino, you’ll find the wild yet beautiful Van Damme State Park.

For many, the beach may take center stage, while others feel the fern-filled canyon or unique pygmy forest are the main draws.

Launch a kayak into the cove, tackle one of the trails, set up a tent at the campsite, or visit dramatic coastal rock formations at Van Damme State Park!

Van Damme State Beach

Van Damme State Beach may not spread for miles along the shore, but what it does offer is a protected pocket of sand, surrounded by rocky points and deep green trees.

Like most cove-like beaches, Van Damme State Beach is protected from the worst of the winds and waves, making it a nice spot for kayaking and diving.

Sitting on the sand, you could easily spend the whole day relaxing and gazing out at the crazy sea stacks and rock arches—Try to stay for sunset!

Trails at Van Damme State Park

• No dogs allowed in Van Damme State Park
• There is an entry fee of $8 per car to enter the park or display your state park pass.

Blowhole Trail

Distance: 0.3 miles
Type of Trail: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 39 feet

There is a very cool gem of a trail in the park that is definitely worth checking out. It leads you to a cool natural wonder – a punchbowl!

The hike can be a little tricky to find, but essentially, if you find yourself walking through a little cemetery, you are in the right place.

Take some time to gaze in awe as the water crashes into the hole, and read the interpretive signs that explain that although the name ‘blow hole’ has stuck, it is actually a punchbowl.

The site is most impressive at high tide, so try to time it right if you can.

TIP: It is not safe to descend into the bowl as the rocks are very slippery and steep.

Pygmy Forest Discovery Trail

Distance: 0.2 miles
Type of Trail: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 3 feet

More a gentle stroll than a hike, the Pygmy Forest Discovery Trail is a fun little trail that takes you along an easy boardwalk through the forest of tiny stunted trees.

As you walk, you can learn all about how the harsh conditions have caused the forests to simply not reach a height higher than a few feet, whereas somewhere with better conditions, they would be towering high.

We had a great time reading the little information signs and learning more about the fact that this whole area used to be under the sea.

Old Logging Road Fern Canyon Loop

Distance: 4.4 miles
Type of Trail: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 479 feet

You can get to this trail by continuing from the Pygmy Forest and heading deeper into the fern-covered woods.

You’ll feel like you have stepped back to prehistoric times as you go through the dripping forest filled with towering redwoods and some of the biggest ferns you have ever seen.

There are several bridge crossings along the way that takes you over small streams, in fact, some people have dubbed the path ‘the Trail of 10 Bridges’.

For the most part, you’ll be following the water as it winds its way through the forest in Van Damme State Park.

Spring Ranch

Distance: 4.2 miles
Type of Trail: Out & Back
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 49 feet

Take this easy trail for stunning views of the coast of Van Damme State Park.

You’ll start by walking through a clearing before getting closer and closer to the bluffs, and soon the wide expanse of ocean will open up before you. You’ll walk directly along the cliffs from here, with the waves pounding the rocks below.

Keep your eye out for seals who love to lounge on the rocks here, especially at low tide, when they haul themselves out of the water. Depending on the time of your visit, you may also see migrating whales further out into the ocean.

There are plenty of benches to sit and take in the views and a few sections that take you inland slightly for a little variety.

TIP: Parking can be a little tricky to find, but we parked on a corner of the street on Peterson Lane across from an inn.

Camping at Van Damme State Park

With so many cool trails in Van Damme State Park, you will want more than a day to explore them all, and luckily, there are 74 campsites available.

Some sites are located along the Little River, while others can be found on higher ground, on a ridge called Highland Meadow.

Some are tent-only, some are primitive, while others are also set for trailers and RVs, so pick your site wisely.

When it comes to amenities, you’ll be ready for a comfy stay, with picnic tables, food lockers, fire rings, a dump station, toilets, and showers. However, there are no hookups available on any site, so this is something to consider.

Nearby state parks that are also worth checking out:

• Russian Gulch State Park: The Prettiest Pitstop?!
• Navarro River Redwoods State Park: Redwoods With ZERO Crowds!

Check out the other awesome northern California Coast beaches or our favorite California Coast State Parks!

Have fun exploring Van Damme State Park!

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