Van Damme State Park consists of about 1,831 acres of land in Mendocino County, California, near the town of Little River on State Route 1. It was named for Charles Van Damme, who was born in the area and purchased the land that is now the park with profits from a San Francisco ferry business.
Three miles south of Mendocino on Highway One, Van Damme State Park offers a scenic beach, a lush fern-filled forest, and year-round camping. The highway runs through the park, separating the campground and the Fern Canyon trail head to the east from the beach and parking lot to the west. Visitors can launch a kayak in a protected cove. They can explore a pygmy forest. They can hike, jog, or bicycle the splendid Fern Canyon Scenic Trail beside Little River. Of all the park system's units along the Mendocino coast, Van Damme is perhaps the richest in terms of historical resources connected with the redwood lumber industry. Its story is a prime example of the struggles and eventual failures of a small, independent lumber operation.
Accessible parking is located next to the Pygmy Forest Boardwalk, with level access over to the 300-yard loop trail. The pleasant boardwalk winds around the dwarf forest filled with rhododendrons, huckleberry bushes, pine trees and manzanita. Interpretive exhibits detail the evolution of this chunk of land and explain the reasons for the stunted growth of the plants and shrubs.
About halfway along the boardwalk, there’s a ramp out to an old logging road. The left branch of the road leads back to the parking lot, but if you turn right you’ll end up at the Fern Canyon Loop trailhead. The logging road is doable in dry weather, and although there are some patches of gravel and a few ruts, they are easy to dodge.
Once you reach the trailhead of the 1.2-mile loop trail, proceed clockwise, as there are some obstructions in the counterclockwise direction. The trail winds along a fern-lined hillside, and heads slightly downhill at first; but after a half-mile it becomes too steep for most wheelchair-users and slow walkers. Be sure and keep an eye on the grade as you descend, as it’s easy to be distracted by the scenery and then end up unable to make it back uphill. It’s also important to note that there are no restrooms in this area of the park, so plan ahead. There also aren’t any picnic tables, but there are a few wide level spaces near logs along the trail. And if that’s a bit too rustic for you, there are also some benches along the boardwalk.
ACCESSIBLE FEATURES
Currently, campsites 7 and 10 are paved, have wheelchair-accessible tables, and are at least usable. A number of other sites are fairly level with hard dirt surfaces and may be usable in dry weather. A generally accessible combination toilet room/shower is located near campsite 11. Toilet permits front transfers, and assistance may be needed to reach shower controls from bench. Designated accessible parking is adjacent to the building. Pygmy forest has a self-guided nature boardwalk. A beach wheelchair is available upon request for use at California State Park beaches in the Mendocino coast area. Call (707) 937-5721 at least seven days in advance.
Pygmy forest: Located off Airport Road, this loop trail is generally accessible. Interpretive exhibits describing the forest features are accessible along the approximate 300-yard loop. A ramp from the far end of the loop leads to Old Logging Road Trail, which may be accessible in dry weather for a short distance. A paved parking lot with 8 spaces includes one van-accessible space. Accessibility in state parks is continually improving.
