Van Damme State Park
Park Rd, Little River, CA 95456
Overview
If you love the river banks and relaxation for you is being around the water, and going on day hikes on trails, then your next getaway should be at the Van Damme State Park.
The campground is located three miles south of the town of Mendocino on Highway 1. This campground has 69 campsites that are spread out along the river. There are 63 standard campsites, 5 tent-only campsites, and 1 group campsite.
There are RV and trailer sites that can accommodate vehicles with a maximum length of 35 feet. There is only one group tent campsite for between 9 and 50 people and up to 15 vehicles, or 10 cars and 4 RVs. The maximum vehicle length for the group site is 27 feet.
Pets are allowed at this campground but not on the trails, dirt roads, or hike-in sites. When in the campground, they must be kept on a leash and not be left unattended at any time.
This campground is open all year round although the group site is only open for use from late March through November. Although there are no designated accessible sites, some sites do have accessible features.
Best Campsites at Van Damme State Park
Below are Power Camper’s recommended sites if you want to have the best experience at Van Damme State Park Campground.
Campsites 1, 2, 3 & 4
- 1 is close to RV sanitation and picnic area
- Proximity to the visitor center
Campsites 19, 20, 22
- Proximity to showers, restrooms
- Campsite 22 is a hike/bike campsite
Campsites 42, 43, 48, 49, 53
- Proximity to campground host, showers, and restrooms
Campsites 21, 22, 23, 25, 26
- Proximity to campfire center
- Are on the Fern Canyon trail
- Campsite 21 is a group camping site
Campsite 70, 71, 72, 73, 74
- Proximity to restrooms and showers
- Proximity to the campground host
Unique Experiences
- Explore the Glass Beach around Fort Bragg.
- Give yourself an adrenaline boost when you go biking along dirt roads.
- See Africa and a variety of Africa’s hoofed animals at the B.Bryan Preserve.
- Visit the Point Arena Lighthouse and take a lighthouse tour.
- Give your legs a much-needed stretch when you go hiking around the Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands, Pygmy Forest, Fern Canyon Lollapalooza, and down to Bowling Ball Beach.
- Explore the thrill of kayaking, scuba diving, and a range of other water activities on the Mendocino coast.
- Experience scenic beauty at the Jug Handle State Natural Reserve and Van Damme State Park.
Van Damme State Park Campground Rules
Max Trailer/RV Length
35 FeetMax People per Site
50Max Vehicles per Site
15Fires allowed?
Only in designated fire ringsPets allowed?
YesVan Damme State Park Reservation Information
Reservations Allowed?
Reservations Required?
YesCampsites 1-13 are available for reservation all year round. All other campsites can be reserved on a first-come-first-served basis. The campground gets full from late March through to early September so be sure to make a reservation!
Reservations can be made between 7 months and 48 hours from the day of your arrival.
You can make reservations online at www.parks.ca.gov or by calling (800) 444-7275 between 8 AM and 6 PM.
A night at Van Damme costs $45 per night for standard campsites, $5 for the hike and bike site, and $160 per night for the group campsite. The 9 primitive sites that are a few miles in from the main campground cost $35.
Ensure you have the following information to make a reservation:
- Park selections
- Date you wish to start camping
- Type and size of camping equipment
- Number of people that will occupy the campsite
- Number of nights you wish to camp
- Alternative park and camping date choices
- Your phone number and area code
- Method of payment/Credit card number and expiration date
- Mailing address
Group Camping Reservations
The Van Damme Campground has 1 group campsite which can accommodate between 9 to 50 people and 15 vehicles. A night at this group campsite costs $160, and the site is only available from late March to early November.
You can make any campsite reservations through ReserveCalifornia or by phone: 1-800-444-PARK (7275).
Campsite Reservation Cancellations
All year round and 2 days before your day of arrival, you can make your reservations through ReserveCalifornia or by phone: 1-800-444-PARK (7275). There is a $7.99 cancellation fee.
Van Damme State Park Campground Cost
Standard Campsite
$45Primitive Site
$35Group Campsite
$160Activities
Fishing
Bike Trails
Scuba Diving
Photography
Canoeing / Kayaking
Hiking
Amenities
RV/Trailers
Hookups
Pull Through Spots
Pet Friendly
ADA Sites
Showers
Wifi
Cell Service
Campfire Rings
Grills
Visitors/Rec Center
Campground Host
Amphitheater
Picnic Tables
Wood for Sale
Directions
FAQs
Nearby Campgrounds to Van Damme State Park
MacKerricher State Park
The MacKerricher State Park campground is a larger one than Van Damme, offering a range of habitats like a beach bluff, headland, forest, and wetland. While the Van Damme Campground has a reserve where you can see wildlife, MacKerricher tilts more towards seals and birds.
This park also has three different camping areas as opposed to Van Damme’s one. It also has 114 campsites as opposed to Van Damme’s 68 campsites. However, just like Van Damme, MacKerricher has no hook-ups. Both campgrounds have potable water and hot showers.
Russian Gulch State Park
Russian Gulch State Park is way smaller than the Van Damme Campground having only 26 campsites. Despite this, you’ll find many similarities between the campground and the park.
They both have no hookups and have similar features to be enjoyed such as bird watching, hiking, diving, kayaking, and incredible scenery. However, there are horses and equestrian campsites with corrals at Russian Gulch.
It costs the same $140 for the group campsite and $45 per night to stay at the Russian Gulch State Park Group Campsite and Van Damme Campground. Russian Gulch is open only from 1 May to September, while Van Damme is open all year round.
Mendocino Grove
Mendocino Grove is a modern, glamping campground with 60 spacious, luxury Safari-style tents with comfortable beds and warm, down comforters. Each of their tents is situated on a platform with chairs on the deck.
Most tents sleep 2, while some sleep 4 or 6. Not all of Mendocino Grove’s tent sites allow dogs, while in Van Damme, pets are allowed anywhere within the campground as long as they are kept on a leash.
This campground is for you if you want to enjoy the outdoors yet skip the traditional RV and tent camping that Van Damme offers. The luxe campground also offers additional activities on the grounds such as bocce ball, hammocks, books, games, and a private hiking trail.
Albion River Campground
The Albion River Campground is a waterside camp, sitting between the Albion River and the Pacific Ocean, unlike Van Damme which is nestled inland along a river.
Albion River also has full hookups for their guests in RVs, while Van Damme doesn’t. They are larger and have a total of 107 sites compared to Van Damme’s 68, and their sites cost $60 per night ($50 in the off-season) compared to Van Damme’s $45.
