Van Damme State Park

Van Damme State Park is a protected coastal area in California with forests, beach access, and hiking paths along Little River. The property covers hundreds of acres and connects multiple ecosystems, from pine-covered ridges to rocky coves and sandy shores.

The park was established in 1934 when Charles F. Van Damme donated his coastal property, which he had purchased using profits from his San Francisco ferry business. His contribution created a protected space that has remained open to the public for nearly a century.

The park is named after the businessman who donated the land, and his legacy remains embedded in how the space functions today. People come here to experience how nature adapts to harsh sandy soil, where plants grow differently than in typical forests.

The park offers designated camping areas and a parking lot with direct access to Little River Beach and trailheads. Paths vary in difficulty, with some routes passing through dense vegetation that can be muddy after rain.

The park contains pygmy forest areas where poor sandy soil produces unusually small cypress and pine trees. These miniature forests are rare ecosystems that surprise many visitors, as it seems impossible that trees could be so stunted.

Location: Mendocino County

Inception: 1934

Operator: California Department of Parks and Recreation

Phone: +17079375804

Website: https://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=433

GPS coordinates: 39.27500,-123.76700

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:40