Mendocino coast camping.
Abalone, pygmy forest, sea caves.

Van Damme State Park occupies a sheltered canyon that opens onto a rocky Mendocino cove, three miles south of the village of Mendocino. The park is a trailhead for the pygmy forest, a rare ecological phenomenon where ancient, nutrient-poor soils produce century-old cypress and pine trees just a few feet tall.

The cove offers kayak access to sea caves and abalone diving with a license. The Mendocino coast draws wine-country weekenders from the Bay Area, and Van Damme is their camping base.

Weekend sites are extremely competitive all summer. Dibs on Dirt monitors them continuously.