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 the majestic coast redwoods of Muir Woods.

Until the 1800's, many northern California coastal valleys were covered with coast redwood trees similar to those now found in Muir Woods National Monument. The forest along Redwood Creek in today's Muir Woods was spared from logging because it was hard to get to. Noting that Redwood Creek contained one of the San Francisco Bay Area's last uncut stands of old-growth redwood, Congressman William Kent and his wife, Elizabeth Thacher Kent, bought 295 acres here for $45,000 in 1905. To protect the redwoods the Kents donated the land to the United States Federal Government and, in 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt declared it a national monument. Roosevelt suggested naming the area after Kent, but Kent wanted it named for conservationist John Muir.

Muir Woods National Monument
Mill Valley, CA 94941-2696
(415) 388-2595 - Visitor Information
(415) 388-2596 - Headquarters
(415) 556-2766 - Information For Hearing Impaired

By Car
Muir Woods is located 12 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Take Highway 101 to the Highway 1/ Muir Woods Exit. Follow the signs to Muir Woods. Roads to the park are steep and winding. Vehicles over 35' long are prohibited. Parking space is very limited and fills quickly on most days. There are no RV parking facilities.

By Plane
No public transportation directly serves the park. Golden Gate Transit (415-923-2000) bus #63 runs on weekends and holidays and makes stops at the Mountain Home Inn, Pantoll, and Bootjack on Panoramic Highway. From any of these stops it is a 1-1.8 mile hike down to Muir Woods.

Getting Around
There are 6 miles of trails in Muir Woods. There is a 1/2 hour loop, a 1 hour loop, and a 1 1/2 hour loop. All of these walks afford views of thousands of old-growth coast redwoods, the tallest living things in the world.

The park is cool, shaded and moist year round. Daytime temperatures at Muir Woods average between 40 and 70 degrees Farenheit.

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.

• Educational Programs
• Hiking
• Bird Watching
• Nature Walks

Recommended Activities
There are also more park events listings on our ParkNEWS Online, otherwise you can visit these areas of the park.

Muir Woods canyon is a place to walk and enjoy the forest. The primary trails along the canyon floor are level and paved. Bridges along Redwood Creek create leisurely 1/2 hour, 1 hour, or 1 1/2 hour loops. All of these walks take you on a journey beneath 1000 year old old-growth coast redwood trees.

Muir Woods is visited by over 1 million people each year. Visitation is highest in summer months, so park staff recommend visiting Muir Woods from 8am-10pm or from 5pm to close.

The redwood forest is usually cool. Jackets, layered clothing, and walking shoes are advised.

Picnicking is not allowed in Muir Woods, but there are picnic facilities nearby at Muir Beach and Muir Beach Overlook.

All pets, including dogs, are prohibited in Muir Woods and Mt. Tamalpais State Park. Guide dogs and working dogs are allowed in Muir Woods.

Bikes are not allowed in Muir Woods. They are allowed on designated fire roads surrounding Muir Woods.

Smoking is prohibited on trails. Portable radios are also prohibited.

Click on image to enlarge.