Van Damme State Park
High Traffic Alert
This park experiences heavy crowds, especially on weekends.
Check out the similar parks below for a better experience
Very crowded, parking fills up early
Best: Visit in off-season or try alternatives
Famous for its unique Pygmy Forest - an ecological staircase where acidic soil creates a forest of stunted, centuries-old trees only a few feet tall. The Little River canyon shelters towering redwoods and ferns, offering a stark contrast to the pygmy forest on the marine terrace above. The Fern Canyon Trail follows the scenic river through lush forest. Kayakers and divers explore the underwater park at the beach, where a kelp forest and reef teem with marine life.
Accepted Passes
Try These Instead
These parks offer similar experiences with fewer crowds
Russian Gulch State Park
Mendocino Coast gem with Devil's Punchbowl sea cave, waterfall, and redwood canyon.
Why go: Similar coastal scenery, hiking, forest experience
Around 4 miles away
