Muir Woods
National Monument

The Muir Woods home page includes information about four areas managed by the National Park Service: Muir Woods National Monument, Muir Beach and Muir Beach Overlook, Stinson Beach, and Olema Valley


Muir Woods National Monument:

"This is the best tree-lovers monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world," declared conservationist John Muir when describing this grove of majestic coastal redwoods. The tranquility of the forest of towering trees and canyon ferns is accessible to nearly everyone. View the redwood forest, Redwood Creek, wildflowers, and forest wildlife.

Muir Beach: This semi-circular cove offers a chance to relax and enjoy the California coastal scenery. The Muir Beach overlook provides a dramatic view of the California coastline to the north.

Stinson Beach: The beach stretches beneath steep hills rising to Mount Tamalpais with vistas out to sea and up into the hills. Swimming is advised only from late May to mid-September when lifeguards are on duty.

Olema Valley: This pastoral landscape is a hiker's paradise of forested canyons, tree-lined ridges, open grassy slopes, and historic farm buildings. Most trails are long and many are steep, ascending to ridgetops for ocean views.


NATURE NOTEBOOK SECTION:

Pacific Salmon at Muir Woods

Redwood Forest Ecology

Seasonal Guide to Muir Woods

Muir Woods History


VISITATION:
Muir Woods is visited by over 1.5 million people each year. Visitation is highest in summer months with an average daily attendance of 8,000 to 10,000 visitors. Visitation is lowest in winter months and on weekdays.
To avoid summer crowds, early morning or late afternoon is best.

LOCATION:
Located 156 feet above sea level at the visitor center, Muir Woods is a 560-acre national monument in Marin County, California, about one-half hour drive north of San Francisco. Muir Woods is a unit of the
Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is surrounded by Mt. Tamalpais State Park.

ADDRESS:
Muir Woods National Monument
Mill Valley, CA 94941

TELEPHONE:
(415) 388-2595 (Includes Nature Hotline)
(415) 389-6957 (Fax)

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
The park is open  from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., including holidays.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
The park is cool, shaded and moist year-round, due to summer coastal fog, and winter storms. Daytime temperatures at Muir Woods average between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit with an annual rainfall of about 40 inches, usually in the winter and spring months. Jackets, layered clothing, and walking shoes are advised.

DIRECTIONS:
Muir Woods is located 12 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge and can be reached by U.S. 101 and California 1. Roads to the park are steep and winding; vehicles over 35' long are prohibited.

Map to Muirwoods

TRANSPORTATION:
No public transportation serves the park; commercial tours are available from San Francisco.  Golden Gate Transit Bus #63 which runs weekends and holidays only, makes a stop at the Mountain Home Inn on the Panoramic Highway, from there it is a steep 1.8 mile hike down into Muir Woods.  Call Golden Gate Transit for their bus schedule at (415) 923-2000.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:
Admission of $2.00 for those 17 and older.
Donations are also accepted near the information booth.

FEDERAL RECREATION PASSPORT PROGRAMS:
Muir Woods Pass
is $15, good for 12 months and admits the pass holder and all accompanying passengers in a private vehicle to Muir Woods National Monument.   It may be purchased at Muir Woods.  Golden Eagle Passport is $50, good for 12 months and admits pass holder and all accompanying passengers in a private vehicle to most national parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas and national wildlife refuges.  It may be purchased at any federal area where an entrance fee is charged.  Golden Age Passport is $10 for those residents of the US who are 62 and better, good for life and admits the pass holder and all accompanying passengers in a private vehicle to most federal areas.  It may be purchased at any federal area which charges an entrance fee.  Golden Access Passport at no charge for those residents of the US who are blind or permanently disabled.  It may be obtained at any federal area where an entrance fee is charged by showing proof of  medically determined permanent disability.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Parking:
Parking space is very limited and fills quickly on most days. There are no RV parking facilities.

Trails:
Muir Wood's Redwood Canyon is a place to walk and enjoy the forest. The park's 560 acres includes six miles of walking trails. The primary trails along the canyon floor are level and paved. Bridges along Redwood Creek make short loop walks possible. Unpaved trails lead up out of the canyon and connect with 60 miles of trails in Mt. Tamalpais State Park, or to the Pacific Ocean.

Programs, Activities, Park Use:
Walking and hiking are the two most popular activities at Muir Woods.  Visitors also enjoy learning about the forest on the self-guided nature trail, viewing wildlife and studying nature.  Ranger talks are scheduled in Muir Woods year round. Educational programs for schools and educational groups are given year round and reservations are required.  Reservations for educational programs should be made 3 weeks in advance by calling (415) 388-2596.

Visitor Center/Exhibits:
The Visitor Center, located at the entrance, is a good place to begin a visit at Muir Woods.  The Visitor Center contains exhibits, helpful staff members, and array of interpretive and educational merchandise, including books, postcards, posters, maps and area information.  The Muir Woods park brochure is available in German, Spanish, French and Japanese for $1.  The self-guided nature tour guide is available for $1. The visitor center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Food, Supplies, Concessions:
The nearest gasoline and grocery stores are in Mill Valley, five miles away. A gift shop just inside the entrance offers snacks and souvenirs. Hours for the snack bar and gift shop are from 9:00am to 5:00pm. 

Lodging and Camping Facilities:
No lodging, camping facilities or RV facilities are available at Muir Woods however there are Hostels and Camping opportunities within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. A variety of lodging and camping is also available in the surrounding area to include Mt. Tamalpais State Park, (415) 388-2070.

RULES AND REGULATIONS:
Picnicking
is not allowed in Muir Woods, but picnic areas are available nearby at Muir Beach and Muir Beach Overlook.  All pets, including dogs, are not allowed on trails inside Muir Woods or Mt. Tamalpais State Park.  Bikes are allowed on designated trails in Mt. Tamalpais State Park.  Bikes are not allowed in Muir Woods.  Smoking is not permitted on trails.

Help protect your park.  Muir Woods National Monument is a natural area.   Please help us preserve and protect it.  Stay on trails and do not climb fences.  Trampling kills plants and compacts the soil.  Do not mar or remove flowers, trees and other natural features.  Do not throw coins in the creek; they are unsightly and toxic to aquatic life.  Portable radios are prohibited.

DANGERS:
Poison oak and stinging nettle are common.
Proceed with caution during high winds when branches or trees may fall.

Volunteer Opportunities

Special Needs:
Wheelchair access
All paved trails are wheelchair accessible. Handicap parking is available in the main parking lot.
Wheelchairs, and strollers are available at no cost, at the visitor center.

SPECIAL USE PERMITS:
For information concerning special use or commercial filming permits, call (415) 556-1070.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
A minimum of one to two hours is recommended to visit Muir Woods. Two to three days are recommended to visit the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, including Alcatraz Island, Presidio Visitor Information Center, (415) 561-4323
Fort Point Visitor Information Center, (415) 556-1693

SPECIAL EVENTS/PROGRAMS:
January - Earth Day (celebrated in January to coincide with the best season for habitat restoration planting)
June - Summer Solstice Celebration
December - Winter Solstice Celebration
The Summer Calendar of Events for all GGNRA sites is provided here:

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Alcatraz Island, Cliff House, Fort Funston, Marin Headlands,
Fort Point , (415) 556-1693, Ocean Beach, Presidio of San Francisco, (415) 561-4323 , the Golden Gate Bridge,
Mt. Tamalpais State Park, Muir Beach, Stinson Beach, John Muir National Historic Site.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Write to :
Muir Woods National Monument
Mill Valley, CA 94941
or call (415) 388-2596.

E-mail comments about this page to Cy Bogumill

E-mail questions about the park, to our information center


Last updated on June 28, 1999
By; Cy Bogumill, (Webperson)
Photos by; Brenda Tharp