Facilities

Club House

Laundry Room

Swimming Pool

Hot Tub

Fitness Center

Game Room

Rec Hall

Pavilion

Exercise Room

Restroom/Shower

Restroom Only

Shower Only

Restaurant

Groceries

RV Supplies

ATM Machine

WiFi

Dog Park

Cocktail Lounge

Dog Washing Station

Pit Toilet

Snack Bar

Play Ground

Sites

Water

20 Amp

30 Amp

50 Amp

Sewer

Cable TV

Services

Escort to Site

Self-Service RV Wash

Metered LP Gas

Firewood

Fishing Supplies

Pet Supplies

Onsite Rentals

Worship Services

Golf Carts

Fishing Guides

Onsite RV Service

Staffed RV Wash

Fishing Licenses

Complimentary Breakfast

Recreational activities in or near the park

Recreational Activities

Archery Range

ATV Riding

Biking

Boating

Body Of Water

Casino

Climbing

Dock

Driving Range

Fishing

Golf

Heated Pool

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Horseshoes

Kayaking

Lawn Bowling

Mini Golf

Paddle Boats

Pickle Ball

Putting Green

Ramp

Sauna

Shuffleboard

Snow Sports

Splash Pad

Swimming

Tennis

Wading Pool

Water Slide

Water Sports

Water Umbrella

Whitewater Rafting

Policies

RV Age Restrictions

Pets Welcome

Pet Restrictions

Pet Restriction on Quantity

Pet Restriction on Breed

Pet Restriction on Size

No Pets

Tent Camping Allowed

Folding Tent Campers Allowed

No Tents

No Overnight Guests

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Van Damme State Park offers a serene coastal retreat tucked away in a lush, fern-filled canyon along the Mendocino coast. This destination provides a quiet, nature-focused experience rather than the typical resort-style atmosphere. RVers can expect a <strong>rustic and peaceful setting</strong> under a dense canopy of trees. It is an ideal spot for those looking to disconnect from the noise of modern life and fully immerse themselves in the rugged beauty of Northern California.</p><h2>Location & Surroundings</h2><p>Situated just south of the town of Mendocino, this park serves as a gateway to the dramatic cliffs and tide pools of the Pacific shoreline. The park is characterized by its <strong>proximity to the Little River</strong> and the expansive woodlands that surround the campsite. Travelers will find themselves nestled in a protected canyon, which helps shield the area from coastal winds, making it a comfortable base for exploring the surrounding Mendocino Headlands.</p><h2>Amenities & Park Features</h2><p>The campground is designed primarily for tent and smaller RV camping, offering a more intimate experience than larger commercial parks. While the park provides essential amenities, it is important to note that <strong>hookups are not available</strong> on-site. Visitors have access to potable water, flush toilets, and coin-operated showers. The layout features <strong>well-spaced campsites</strong> that offer a high degree of privacy, allowing guests to enjoy the natural forest environment without being right on top of their neighbors.</p><h2>Nearby Attractions & Things to Do</h2><p>Outdoor enthusiasts will find endless opportunities for recreation in the immediate area. The park is famous for its <strong>extensive network of hiking trails</strong>, which wind through pygmy forests and canyon bottoms. During the warmer months, the protected cove is a popular destination for kayakers and divers exploring the underwater life. Additionally, the historic village of Mendocino is only a short drive away, offering charming boutiques, art galleries, and local dining experiences for those looking to explore the town.</p><h2>Who This Park Is Best For</h2><p>Van Damme State Park is perfect for self-contained RV travelers who value natural beauty and tranquility over full-facility luxury. It is an <strong>excellent choice for nature photographers</strong>, hikers, and kayakers who want to be steps away from the water and forest trails. If you are seeking a quiet, scenic escape where the primary activity is exploring the great outdoors, this park will meet your expectations for a memorable coastal California getaway.</p>



Van Damme State Park is a state park located in Mendocino County, California. It is located on the northern coast of California, just south of the town of Little River. The park is named after the nearby Van Damme family, who were among the first settlers in the area. The park is known for its rugged coastline, lush redwood forests, and abundant wildlife. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, and beachcombing. The park also offers a variety of educational programs, such as guided nature walks and interpretive talks.

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Van Damme

Experience nature at Van Damme State Park in Mendocino, CA. Enjoy a quiet, forest-canyon setting perfect for hiking and kayaking on the scenic Pacific coast.

Van Damme State Park: RV Camping in Mendocino, CA

We absolutely loved this mystical park. The scenery is beautiful. We stayed here at the group campsite and plan to come back again next year. The kids absolutely loved riding their bikes on all the fun trails. There are so many trails! We also loved that there's hot showers and the vibe is just so calm and peaceful. It's not crowded here either. If you want to really get away, I would go here. This is a very calm and serene place to be.

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Van Damme State Park is such a peaceful mix of forest and coast. You get these beautiful fern covered trails that feel almost magical, and then suddenly you’re right by the ocean. The pygmy forest was especially interesting , it’s not something you see every day. Everything feels quiet, fresh, and untouched, which makes it perfect if you just want to slow down and enjoy nature for a bit. Definitely one of those underrated stops along the Mendocino coast.

Nice, interesting beach; mostly large boulders, cobblestones, gravel. Shells, but none intact. Great tidepools at negative tide. Seaweed, kelp, etc makes progress slow, as it is all over rock and extremely slippery.  Frequented by kayaking groups. Adequate parking and restrooms available.

My husband likes to ride his bicycle long distances, so he will ride from Santa Rosa, CA to Van Damme State Campground in about 12 hours. I drive there & set up camp for us. We've been to Van Damme State Campground 5 or 6 x's. We Love it there. Our favorite Campsite is #18. There's a pretty little creek behind the site, they put in a New Bigger Metal Bear Box with a place to put a lock- it was awesome. We were able to put so much of our stuff in it. There was still the old wood bear box also. There was a large fire pit with an attached grill. You can buy firewood from the Rangers or Camp Hosts. As of 4/30/26 one bag cost $12- lasted about 1-1/2days AND was Cheaper than purchasing at big grocery stores, in town of Mendocino or Fort Bragg.
The bathrooms were about 50-60 feet away- have flushing toilets & showers. It costs $1.00 for 5 minutes (only quarters or you can buy Tokens from Camp Host or Rangers).
Generators can run from 8am-8pm. We don't use them, so it kinda sucks when they're on, but there is a part of the Campground that doesn't allow Generators. Next time I'd like to try a campsite in that area!
The weather changes from day to day- the 2nd day was sunny and beautiful (5/1/26) and we set up on Van Damme Beach, had lunch, relaxed & just enjoyed the beautiful view. The 3rd & 4th day were overcast & cool, needed a light jacket or sweatshirt & pants.
Rangers, hosts and people visiting in general are nice & friendly. We'll be going back in the next 6 months.
Just be sure to make reservations way in advance! The Campground fills up quickly, especially in the peak seasons!

We visited Van Damme State Park on Saturday with our two kids (ages 3 and 6). We decided to go for a hike, and we were told the trail would be kid-friendly — which turned out to be absolutely true.

We only had to cross a small stream twice, but it didn’t make things difficult at all. The trail itself was pleasant and easy to walk. There isn’t a clear final destination, though — after about two miles we reached a fork and decided to continue another mile and a half toward a different parking area.

Overall, it was a nice and interesting hike. I wouldn’t say it’s the most scenic trail, but the weather was great, the air felt fresh, and we all enjoyed the experience.

Gorgeous camping area in Mendocino Co. Beautiful fairly easy hike. Parts are paved. Lush green everywhere. The sound of running water next to us was so nice. Only drawbacks some areas, muddy to hike through.

The employees here are incredibly kind and helpful. They clean the bathrooms every morning and patrol the campsites to keep it relatively quiet. The campground itself is very cool with some sites up a hill that feels very secluded from the highway. I left my shoes behind and they were so helpful in getting them back and everyone I talked to was very understanding and kind. I don't recommend leaving your things behind, but I definitely appreciate all of the staff members at Van Damme. Thank you park staff for all that you do!

Nice experience of trails , picnic spots . Dwarf garden though took the trouble of visiting from the other end was not so good looks wise but very interesting. We need to book for picnic spots and for a day drive just buy a pass for $10. The Kayaking beach in front of the park is interesting.

Everything was beautiful and breathtaking people everywhere were kind and with a smile. Park rangers were very attentive and made us feel safe Always! Been going for 4 yrs now and never tire. We saw deer raccoons & even Mr skunk stopping by to say hello. Can't wait to come back again.

One of the prettiest places I've ever been! The campground is gorgeous, with a nice mix of open grassy spots and more private ones. There's plenty of room for kids to run around, and they have showers.
There's a beautiful hike from the end of the campground up a canyon, or you can drive up to the other end of the trail and go down. At the upper trailhead there's a short loop trail through a pygmy first of old but tiny trees, with good interpretive signs.
Not part of the park itself, but right across the road there's a state beach with lagoons and rocks, along with short drives to several other beaches and sea caves

The park has a parking lot and bathrooms. Yes, I did start with the essential information on this review, your welcome. This beach has a lot of sand, rocks, sea shells, and drift wood. You can walk along the coast, sit on the edge of the parking lot, or sit on the tree logs in the back of the beach. The state park is divided by Hwy 1. There is a beach side and across the street is the park side. This is a nice place to collect special items, come watch the sunset, meditate, do yoga, or just relax.

Reviews

Van Damme