Description

This site campground has sites spread out along a river and a bog, and has easy access to trails leading to the coast and charming pygmy forest. There are 69 reservable sites as well as a few hike/bike sites, and while they are not the most spacious, they still make for a great spot to soak up the beautiful surroundings.
Campsite area
Tent or RV sites
69 sites
Up to 8 guests per site
Up to 6 vehicles
No wheelchair access
Essentials
Campfires allowed
Toilet available
Pets allowed
Amenities
Potable water available
Showers available
Picnic table available

Activities

Offered near the campground.

Biking

Van Damme State Park has some “Damme good rides!” Fern Canyon Trail provides some of the most beautiful riding in the area. “A ...Read more

Fishing

Van Damme is an amazing spot for spear fishing and diving. Depending on what you’re looking for, there are a variety of sites ...Read more

Hiking

Explore the parks 10 miles of trails which go across the Fern carpeted canyon of Little River .The number one hike is definitel...Read more

Paddling

One of the most popular things to do is kayaking; there really is no better way to explore the magnificent coastline! Kayak Me...Read more

Swimming

Van Damme is a good swimming spot, even better if you double as an abalone diver!

Terrain

Natural features you'll find at Van Damme Campground.

Beach
River, stream, or...
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11 Reviews

750
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Drop some Van Damme Campground knowledge on us.
Hipcamper Nancy
Nancy M.
doesn't recommend this listing.
April 7th, 2021

Campsite and tent were burglarized in middle of day. They stole equipment, food, clothing but were interrupted before taking the ENTIRE tent, they already had about half the stakes pulled.

There is a ticket booth upon entry but that gave me a false sense of security. We had to end trip that day since we no longer had clothes, sleeping bag etc

Hipcamper Sharen
Sharen S.
recommends this listing.
June 21st, 2019

Tent site 9 on the lower loop. Site 9 was 90% shaded and was closer to site 8 than I expected. (FYI-Site 8 is complete exposed). It was about 90% RVer's on the lower loop, which made for a lively background atmosphere. Everyone was respectful of the quiet hours. Locals say lower loop is the quieter spot.

Site 9 appeared to have some poison oak along the edge of the site. Stay in the maintained areas. There's a marsh directly behind the site, and a lot of mosquitos.

The grounds, bathrooms, and showers are very well taken of. Had hot water! Interactions with staff were good. We hiked a bit on Fern Canyon Trail. Would come here again to do more hiking but maybe would try for sites 14-30, which looked bigger and a little more private

Hipcamper Kim
Kim C.
recommends this listing.
November 2nd, 2018

Across from the ocean it has hiking and bike trails. Bring warm clothing even summers can be cold. Lock your ice chests up, especially Abalone season they disappear.

Hipcamper Candace
Candace S.
recommends this listing.
February 19th, 2018

Bring extra layers, you're in Northern California so it can get cold when the fog rolls in.

Hipcamper Nikki
Nikki T.
recommends this listing.
September 5th, 2017

This place is fantastic during the off-season.

Hipcamper Christina
Christina P.
didn't provide a recommendation.
January 13th, 2017

We stayed at site 11 in the lower loop with a dog. Unfortunately, they are not allowed on any of the trails though, so we only managed the short hike around the very overgrown Bog Trail. Sites with roomy with a food storage locker. I would like to stay in the upper loops if I went again. Beach accessible across the way filled with abalone divers but the green space just north of that has easy hiking we took the dog on down to the cliffs. We also drove up to Big River and the wide fire road there is dog friendly and beautiful by the river.

Hipcamper Alfredo
Alfredo R.
didn't provide a recommendation.
August 3rd, 2016

Beautiful spot located right across the street from the beach! Didn't even need much notice to get a spot :]

Hipcamper m
M M.
didn't provide a recommendation.
March 30th, 2016

The lower area is quieter, with nicely spaced sites along a creek. Watch out for mosquitos though. The upper area has a lot more action. Sites are a bit close together. The looping road and field in the middle provide great recreation space for kids to ride bikes, throw frisbees, etc. Weather is hit or miss in the summer. We've stayed on beautiful sunny days but also visited at times when it was cold and foggy the whole time. Overall, a great campground.

Hipcamper Aja
Aja P.
didn't provide a recommendation.
November 29th, 2015

Jonesing for a fire? Head 2.5 hours north of SF to the lovely, damp forest at Van Damme. Stop at Lemon's Market on 120 en route for pickled asparagus--this is non negotiable.

Sites are 35$ per night and there are over 60 of them, if you don't mind rubbing elbows with RVS and being lullabied to sleep by the sound of abalone divers pounding their catch for dinner. The park is dog friendly, but unfortunately you can't take your pet back to the environmental sites, which are like a backcountry dream only 3 miles from a parking lot.

There's even a pygmy forest complete with science-y fact boards for us nerds and you can pull a quick 9 mile loop through the trails and be back in time for s'mores (and asparagus).

Park
Van Damme State Park
State
California
Country
United States
Phone Number
(707) 937-5804
Directions
View on Google Maps
Official Website
View Website
Coordinates
39.275° N, 123.789° W
Unknown price
Tent Only: 5 Sites
(Up to 8 people per site)
Unknown price
Tent / RV / Trailer - Group: 1 Site
(Up to 50 people per site)
Unknown price
Tent / RV / Trailer: 63 Sites
(Up to 8 people per site)