Sure, you’ve heard of the Northern California Redwoods that tower higher than any other tree on earth, but have you heard of the miniature forest that grows in their midst? The pygmy forest in Van Damme State Park features stunted trees growing right alongside the giant redwoods. It’s a sight you have to see to believe.
Compared to other forests throughout the country, this pygmy forest might not seem that small. Keep in mind that it is located side by side with the mighty redwoods, however.
Flickr/ J. Maughn
The Van Damme state park is located 3 miles south of Mendocino on Highway 1. In addition to the pygmy forest, visitors come for the beautiful beaches, lush ferns, and year round opportunities to go camping.
Flickr/ J. Maughn
The pygmy forest is weird, wonderful, and features plenty of interpretive signs along a .25 mile accessible boardwalk trail. Wheelchairs should have no problem traversing the wooden planks.
Flickr/ mlhradio
The trees that grow in this stunted forest are likely at least a hundred years old, but their growth was restricted by poor soil fertility. The wetness of the soil restricts the growth of vegetation and induces a dwarf condition in many of the plants.
Flickr/ mlhradio
The vegetation has taken hold in this inhospitable soil, but it definitely doesn’t flourish here.
Flickr/ mlhradio
Nearby in richer soil, the lush ferns and dramatic redwoods prosper, which proves the theory that the soil is the root cause of the pygmy trees’ lack of growth over the years. In this photo, one of the many trails in Van Damme takes you away from the pygmy forest and back into a more lush part of the park.
Flickr/ mlhradio Leaving the pygmy forest behind, returning back along the Old Logging Road Trail.
For an easy 4 mile hike that allows you to view both the pygmy forest and the redwoods all in one go, follow these directions: Drive out Airport Road. After walking 0.25 miles around the pygmy forest boardwalk loop, head down the fire road for 0.2 miles to a fork in the trail. Take Old Logging Road Trail (the left fork) downhill for 1.2 miles to a junction with the Fern Canyon Trail. There’s a good picnic site there. Then turn right and uphill onto the single-track portion of Fern Canyon Trail. In 2.3 miles, after following the Little River through the heart of a lushly vegetated canyon, you’ll switchback up through a drier forest. In another 0.2 miles on the fire road you came in on, you’ll be back at your car.
Flickr/ mlhradio
You will be surprised and amazed by the contrast between the two extremes. Have fun exploring this biological wonder and be sure to let us know what you think of Van Damme State Park!
Flickr/ David Berry
What do you think of this stunted little forest? For more Northern California natural sights worth seeing, check out the 12 Very Best Day Trips You Can Take In Northern California.
Flickr/ J. Maughn
Flickr/ mlhradio
Leaving the pygmy forest behind, returning back along the Old Logging Road Trail.
Flickr/ David Berry
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