The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Van Damme State Park

Just past the Van Damme State Park campsites and a little less than a mile east of the Van Damme State Park Visitor Center and beach is the Fern Canyon Scenic Trail Trailhead. There is a parking area and two pit toilets, with additional restrooms in the nearby campsites. If the parking lot is full, you can park back at the beach and walk about a mile along the road. For this Fern Canyon Trail, you do not need a permit or to make a reservation (there is another one in a different part of northern California that shares the same name where you do need both of those things). From the trailhead you hike gradually uphill along an easy trail and over bridges, through a redwood forest, along Little River until you reach the pygmy forest. Fern Canyon can be quite wet, so shoes that you don't mind getting wet are a must!

A transformed pathway that once served as a logging road. It's an easy, well-marked route that conveniently links the scenic Fern Canyon Trail and Pygmy Discovery Trail. As you follow this trail, you'll find yourself immersed in a landscape that resembles prehistoric times, with lush ferns and towering trees all around.

The Fern Canyon Scenic Trail is a vibrant and fern-filled forest. It feels like stepping into a world from a time long ago as you look up at the towering giants of the forest and down at the lush fern-covered ground. Along the trail, you'll encounter charming bridges and the soothing sounds of the nearby creek.

Here you can enjoy views of the stunning Mendocino coast. Observe the rugged cliffs hugging the coastline and the powerful waves crashing below. It's a perfect spot to appreciate the coastal beauty and take a break.

Nestled between Mendocino and Little River, the entire area used to be a ranch. In 1996, a section of Spring Ranch was incorporated into Van Damme State Park. This addition, known as the Spring Ranch Coastal Preserve, spans 350 acres of meadows and forests along the ocean. It boasts several charming old barns, some dating back to 1864. These picturesque barns have been captured in the artwork of both local and visiting artists, showcasing their evocative settings in various paintings. The preserve offers several miles of flat trails and old road tracks for leisurely walks. As you wander, you'll stumble upon several small beaches along the coastal bluffs. Please be mindful of your safety near the cliff edges and avoid reaching beaches that may be hazardous.

Explore the Pygmy Forest Discovery Trail, a short 300-yard loop boardwalk at Van Damme's eastern end, just two miles inland from Highway One. Over the course of 300,000 years, the forces of nature, including poor acidic soil and hardpan, have created a miniature wonderland resembling a bonsai forest. As you stroll along the boardwalk, you'll encounter interpretive panels that reveal the fascinating story behind these diminutive trees. Here, you'll find Bollander pine (exclusive to the pygmy forest), bishop pine, dwarf manzanita, and Mendocino cypress. Trees that would typically grow over 100 feet tall elsewhere are only a few feet tall here, with trunks as thin as a quarter-inch. The boardwalk hovers just above the forest floor to protect the nutrient-rich lichen. In some spots, you'll be eye-level with these ancient, tiny treetops. Don't miss the chance to explore this living testament to nature's forces!