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.
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.
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.
Special Needs:
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 questions about the park, to our
information center