Van Damme State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Van Damme State Park is situated on the Mendocino Coast. It is located in Little River, but it is also fairly close to Mendocino. This area has fairly moderate temperatures all year, with average highs and lows in the 50s during the winter, spring, summer, and fall. In the winter, you may experience rain, and the summer tends to come with early morning fog. This morning moisture is ideal for the redwoods that grow in the area.
Spring 42-75 F
Summer 50-81 F
Fall 39-73 F
Winter 40-63 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Van Damme State Park
When you travel to visit state parks like this one, there is nothing better than exploring the area and staying in your RV right in the park. If you don’t have an RV of your own, you can always explore RVshare to find a rental that works for your needs.
Caspar Beach RV Park Campground
Caspar Beach RV Park Campground is located right on a beach in Mendocino, so if you enjoy nature, you will enjoy staying here. There is also the option to fish and enjoy boating on the water, and water equipment can be rented at the campground. Pets are welcome here, and full hookups are available at the RV sites. Rates for full-hookup sites start at $48 a night. Wi-Fi is available at the campground as well.
Fort Bragg Leisure Time RV Park
Fort Bragg Leisure Time RV Park is a very scenic option that is located north of Van Damme State Park. Visiting this campground between November and April can enable you to see the California gray whales migrating. There is a total of 70 RV sites, and 36 of them are full hookup. These sites are $40 a night, and there is a monthly fee of $600 for those who would like to stay for a while. Pets are welcome, and Wi-Fi is available at this park.
Albion River Campground
Albion River Campground is located off Highway 1 south of Mendocino and Van Damme State Park. It is located on Albion Cove, which is right where the Albion River connects to the Pacific Ocean. Pets are welcome at this location, and there is Wi-Fi available as well. Full-hookup sites are $50 a night from January 2 through March 30 and $60 a night from March 31 to January 1.
What to Do at
Van Damme State Park
Inside Van Damme State Park
Van Damme State Park is a location that offers a lot within its gates. There are water activities to enjoy as well as plenty of trails that you can explore. Fern Canyon, which is 5 miles to walk, is an area full of young redwood and other trees. The hills are covered with ferns, and there are wooden bridges arching over the river as you explore the trail.
Outside Van Damme State Park
In this area of California, there is no shortage of things to do outside of Van Damme State Park. When you want to explore, there are several restaurants, shops, and other attractions that you can visit. No matter who you are, there is something that everyone can enjoy in the area.
Restaurants
Luna Trattoria
At Luna Trattoria in Mendocino, you can enjoy authentic Northern Italian cuisine. The pasta is all made fresh for your meal, and the tiramisu is to die for.
Type: Northern Italian
Location: Mendocino, CA
Café Beaujolais
Café Beaujolais is a French restaurant that has been open in Mendocino since 1969. The eatery is in an elegant Victorian farmhouse, and free-range and organically grown food is used to prepare your meals. If you have room for dessert, the house-made honey lavender ice cream is delightful.
Type: French
Location: Mendocino, CA
Goodlife Café and Bakery
The Goodlife Café and Bakery is a place that you can stop by for breakfast or a simple snack during the day. They have plenty of gluten-free selections, and the bagels and pastries are exquisite. This Mendocino restaurant also has a large coffee and tea selection to sample.
Type: Breakfast
Location: Mendocino, CA
Frankie’s Pizza and Ice Cream Parlor
Frankie’s Pizza and Ice Cream Parlor is a family-owned Mendocino business that locals adore. They use all organic ingredients to make their pizzas, and the dough and sauce are vegan. In addition to pizza and ice cream, they serve falafels, which taste amazing.
Type: Pizza
Location: Mendocino, CA
Patterson’s Pub
Patterson’s Pub has a variety of food options that will make you feel satisfied. You can get classic Irish favorites like shepherd's pie and American favorites like a burger and fries. To keep the Irish traditions alive, this Mendocino restaurant has 28 beers on tap.
Type: Irish and American
Location: Mendocino, CA
Shopping
Out of This World
Out of This World in Mendocino is a shop where you can find educational toys, including science-themed puzzles, gadgets, games, and sets. The shop has a large selection of optics that will help you see the stars or something too small for the naked eye to see. Children will love exploring Out of This World.
Location: Mendocino, CA
Mendocino Jams & Preserves
If you enjoy homemade jams and condiments, then Mendocino Jams & Preserves is a great place to visit near Van Damme State Park. They have a large assortment of jams, jellies, chutneys, and mustards, but they also make dessert sauces, gourmet candies, and teas. The products can also be ordered online once you leave the area.
Location: Mendocino, CA
Highlight Gallery
The Highlight Gallery is a great place to go shopping for art pieces in Mendocino. You can also find exquisite wooden furniture as well as sculptures. The work of over 200 artists is represented in this building.
Location: Mendocino, CA
Sightseeing
Mendocino Coast
The Mendocino Coast offers a breathtaking view of the coast of Northern California. If you’re here during the right season, you will see the gray whales along the coast. There are lighthouses and fishing villages to explore in the area as well.
Location: Mendocino, CA
Ford House Visitor Center and Museum
This visitor center was once the home of Jerome Bursley Ford, the founder of Mendocino. It’s a lovely mid-19th-century Mendocino home, and inside you can learn a lot about the history of the town.
Location: Mendocino, CA
Point Cabrillo Light
If lighthouses interest you, then this one near Mendocino is a must-see stop. The lighthouse itself is convenient to access, and there is a gorgeous view of the coast. It is an excellent stop for a family with kids, and there is a gift shop inside the lighthouse for souvenirs.
Location: Mendocino, CA
Ross Ranch
Ross Ranch is a location where you can rent horses to take out on the beach or along mountain trails in the Mendocino area. It is a memorable experience that even inexperienced riders will enjoy. The horses are gentle, and the view from the beach is simply stunning.
Location: Mendocino, CA
How to Get to
Van Damme State Park
Van Damme State Park is located about 3 miles south of Mendocino. To get to the park, simply take Highway 1, which runs straight down the park, separating the Fern Canyon Trail from the beach.
By Car
Entering Van Damme State Park
Van Damme State Park is open daily year-round from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Camping is available by reservation, which you can make by calling (800) 444-7275.
Van Damme State Park Per-person daily fee : $5.0
RVshare loves the fact that you are planning a trip to Van Damme State Park. No matter what you do, you are likely to have a blast. Make sure to take lots of pictures so that you can remember your time here, and if you get some great images, make sure that you tag RVshare in them on social media or share them with the site at [email protected] The team at RVshare would love to hear about your time at Van Damme State Park and all of your fun experiences. If RVshare loves the picture that you send in, the site may even feature it on a social media channel or one of its blogs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Van Damme State Park
The summer months are a great time to visit Van Damme State Park since they provide access to beach activities like swimming and kayaking and the opportunity to explore magnificent natural routes bordered by forests.
The park has a moderate climate all year round. Summers are warm, but summer fog appears once in a while. Winter rains are common in the area, so carry winter clothing. Overall, be ready for unpredictable weather.
You will have a blast observing native bird species at Van Damme State park, including the belted kingfisher, northern spotted owl, and yellow warbler. These areas are intriguing to search for species because of redwood forests and wetlands.
More than 65 drive-in campsites are available at this state park, five of which are for tent-only camping and can hold RVs up to 35 feet long. You will have access to a dump station, toilets, showers, and drinking water.
Dogs are prohibited on Van Damme State Park trails or hike-in locations like the Pygmy Forest Trail and Fern Canyon Trail. They are permitted at the campgrounds, but at night they must be on a leash.