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Muir Woods National Monument is a federally protected forest in Marin County, California, roughly 12 miles north of San Francisco. It preserves one of the last remaining stands of old-growth coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) in the Bay Area, with trees that can exceed 250 feet in height and hundreds of years in age.
The monument was established in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt and named in honor of naturalist John Muir. It sits within the Mount Tamalpais watershed and is administered by the National Park Service as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Visitors walk a network of paved and unpaved trails through cathedral-like groves, alongside Redwood Creek, and up into the surrounding hillsides. Despite its relatively compact size — about 554 acres — the monument sees over a million visitors annually, making advance planning essential.
Before You Go
Reservations Are Required
Muir Woods operates a timed-entry reservation system for both parking and shuttle access during peak periods (typically weekends and holidays, and often extended into busier seasons). Reservations must be made in advance through the official Recreation.gov platform. Walk-up entry is not guaranteed. Verify current reservation requirements and pricing on the official National Park Service site or Recreation.gov before your visit.
Admission
There is an entrance fee for adults; children under a certain age typically enter free. The America the Beautiful pass (annual interagency pass) is accepted. Confirm current fee levels at nps.gov/muwo or at the entrance station.
What to Bring
- Layers: the forest is cool and often damp year-round; fog is common even in summer
- Sturdy, closed-toe footwear — some trails have uneven, rooted terrain
- Water and snacks; food options inside the monument are limited
- No pets are permitted on trails (service animals excepted)
- No bikes, drones, or campfires are allowed within the monument
Getting There
By Shuttle (Recommended)
The Muir Woods Shuttle operates seasonally from Sausalito and the Marin City Hub, connecting with Golden Gate Ferry and Golden Gate Transit services from San Francisco. The shuttle is the most environmentally friendly and logistically straightforward option, and it sidesteps the limited and reservation-required parking. Verify current schedules and fares with Marin Transit before your visit.
By Car
Muir Woods is accessed via Highway 101 north from San Francisco, exiting toward Mill Valley, then following Muir Woods Road (Highway 1 turnoff via Panoramic Highway or Frank Valley Road). The road is narrow and winding. Parking inside the monument is extremely limited, requires a separate reservation, and fills quickly — do not assume you can park on roadside pullouts, as this is prohibited and enforced.
By Bicycle
Experienced cyclists can ride to the monument via the Marin bike network. The final approach on Muir Woods Road is steep and narrow, so confident road cycling ability is needed. Bikes must be walked inside the monument.
From San Francisco
The Golden Gate Ferry from the Ferry Building to Sausalito, combined with the shuttle, is a popular and scenic route. Confirm ferry timetables with the Golden Gate Ferry service.
Getting Around
The monument's main trail corridor follows the flat, paved Main Trail along Redwood Creek, which is accessible to most visitors including those with strollers or mobility considerations. The round-trip to Cathedral Grove and back covers roughly 2 miles on this path.
Several unpaved loop trails — including the Fern Creek Trail, Camp Eastwood Trail, and connections to the Dipsea Trail and Mount Tamalpais State Park — branch off into hillside terrain for those seeking a longer, more strenuous hike. Trail maps are available at the visitor center and on the NPS website.
All trails are well-signed. Distances are short enough that no internal transport is needed; the visitor center, gift shop, and café are near the main entrance.
Things to See & Do
Walking the Redwood Groves
The primary draw is simply walking among the old-growth trees. Cathedral Grove, roughly a mile from the entrance, contains some of the tallest and oldest specimens. Interpretive signs along the Main Trail explain the ecology, history, and conservation significance of the forest.
Longer Hiking into Mount Tamalpais
Connecting trails lead out of the monument and into the broader Mount Tamalpais State Park, offering options ranging from moderate woodland loops to strenuous ridge hikes with Bay Area panoramas. The Dipsea Trail, one of the oldest foot-race trails in the US, passes through the area.
Ranger Programs
The National Park Service periodically offers guided walks and interpretive programs. Check the NPS website for current schedules, as programming varies by season.
Photography
The interplay of filtered light, towering canopy, and the creek makes Muir Woods a compelling subject for photographers. Morning and overcast days generally provide the most even, diffused light in the dense forest.
Food & Drink
Food options inside the monument are limited to a small café at the visitor center near the entrance, which typically offers coffee, light snacks, and packaged items. It is not a full-service restaurant. Verify current offerings on the official site or upon arrival.
Most visitors bring their own food. Picnicking is permitted in designated areas near the entrance but not on the trails themselves. There are no food or drink outlets on the trails.
For a fuller meal before or after your visit, the nearby town of Mill Valley has a good range of cafés, bakeries, and restaurants. Sausalito, reachable by ferry or shuttle, also offers waterfront dining options.
Practical Information
Facilities
The visitor center near the entrance includes restrooms, a gift shop, and exhibits on the monument's ecology and history. There are no restrooms on the trails beyond the entrance area.
Accessibility
The main paved trail is largely accessible to visitors using wheelchairs or pushing strollers, though some sections may have slight grades. The NPS publishes an accessibility guide — verify current conditions at nps.gov/muwo.
Cell Service
Cell service inside the forest is unreliable. Download offline maps and the NPS app before you arrive.
Emergency Contact
In case of an emergency on-site, notify park staff immediately. For life-threatening emergencies, dial 911. The nearest hospitals are in San Rafael and San Francisco — verify exact locations before your visit.
Dogs
Pets are not permitted on any trails within Muir Woods. They may be left in a vehicle but never unattended in warm weather. Consider leaving pets at your accommodation.
Safety
Muir Woods is a safe, well-managed site with no significant wildlife hazards for day visitors who stay on marked trails. Mountain lions and coyotes are present in the broader Marin Headlands area but encounters are rare.
The main practical risks are slipping on wet or rooted trail surfaces — wear appropriate footwear — and becoming cold and damp unexpectedly, as coastal fog can roll in quickly even on sunny days. Carry an extra layer year-round.
Do not leave valuables visible in parked vehicles; car break-ins have been reported in Marin County trailhead areas. Use the trunk or take valuables with you.
