There aren’t many places that you can experience the sublime beauty of old growth redwood trees. I highly recommend a visit to Muir Woods National Monument in Marin County California. Only 12 miles (19 km) from San Francisco you could experience pure bliss while hiking among the coastal redwoods.
Taking a Muir Woods hike is something you should put on your California bucket list. If you visit San Francisco be sure to make time for a day trip to Muir Woods and walk the trails.
Walking through the giant redwoods at Muir Woods is enchanting. You may find all your worries drop away and momentarily disappear. Nature is a wonderful elixir.
Before you know it, you will gaze up at the wondrous redwoods and feel the power of the outdoors to calm and relax your mind.
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I am in love with hiking and taking nature walks. Every day I try to get out and experience nature, observing and embracing each moment.
The park is named after conservationist John Muir, who was instrumental in getting President Theodore Roosevelt on board with preserving natural habitats in the United States. Muir is considered the Father of our National Parks in the United States.
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Muir Woods hiking trail through the coast redwood forest
Old Growth California Redwoods
Most of the redwoods at Muir Woods are between 500 and 800 years old, with the oldest at least 1,200 years old. The coast redwoods can live up to 1,800 years or more.
The coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) trees of Muir Woods are related to the giant sequoia of the Sierra Nevada.
You’ll notice their great height. Coastal redwoods are the tallest trees in the world, reaching heights over 350 ft (107 m) – amazing!
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Enormous lice of redwood tree from 1930 Muir Woods
Information on measuring the age of a tree – what the rings tell us
Sequoia sempervirens is the remaining living species of the genus Sequoia in the cypress family Cupressaceae.
You may notice there aren’t many birds at Muir Woods. This is because of the lack of insects. The tannin in the redwood trees repel insects. Tannin is also present in the cones of the redwoods.
Coast Redwoods start out life from a tiny seedling. The redwoods get much of their water from the fog in the bay area.
Even when there is drought in California the fog still forms, providing much needed hydration to the forest.
Tiny redwood seedling Muir Woods California
Take note there is NO Cell phone service at Muir Woods or around Muir Woods. Heavenly :)
Just remember to print your parking reservation or take a screen shot before you get to Muir Woods.
Where is Muir Woods?
Muir Woods is in Marin County, 12 miles (19 km) north of San Francisco. It is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is managed by the US National Park Service. Muir Woods was declared a National Monument in 1908.
Getting to Muir Woods
IMPORTANT: If you are driving to Muir Woods you must obtain a reservation for parking at Muir Woods
Parking Reservation or Shuttle Reservation
Parking reservations are required in advance of your visit to Muir Woods. Or you can take the shuttle bus to Muir Woods – this also requires a reservation in advance of your visit. Visitors arriving on foot, bicycle, or tour bus are not required to make a reservation.
Visit GoMuirWoods.com to book your parking reservation at Muir Woods or call 1-800-410-2419.
- Parking costs $9 and the shuttle bus costs $3.50 per person aged 16 and older (children 15 and younger ride for free)
- Book you parking or shuttle up to 90 days in advance
- If you cancel your reservation more than 72 hours in advance you will receive a full refund
- There are approximately 232 parking spaces at Muir Woods. You won’t get a specific spot but a parking attendant will guide you to an available spot
- The shuttle bus is ADA accessible
- The shuttle does not run every day
Check the schedule online, during most of the year the shuttle runs on weekends and holidays only. From early June to early August the shuttle also operates on weekdays.
Shuttle bus pickup locations
- Pohono Street Park & Ride Lot
- Sausalito Ferry Terminal
- Marin City Hub
Muir Woods hiking trails map
Muir Woods Hike
There are several trails to choose from at Muir Woods. All are wonderful!
- Bohemian Grove Trail is a nice short 2 miles that follows a stream that is lined with redwoods.
- Canopy View Trail connects with Lost Trail and Fern Creek to form a 3.4 mile (5.5 km) loop trail.
- Sun Trail is a scenic loop of 4.7 miles (7.5 km) and joins up with the Bohemian Grove Trail.
- Ben Johnson Trail is another loop trail at 5.2 miles (8.3 km) This hike starts with a long uphill section to a grassy ridge, then descends through old growth redwoods forest to the Bohemian Grove Trail.
Get a map of Muir Woods hiking trails
Muir Woods hiking trails are well marked – even the Lost Trail
Accessibility at Muir Woods
Have a look at the hiking trails map for Muir Woods (also available: Braille Trail Map) and you will notice there is a boardwalk on the Muir Woods Main Loop Trail. This accessible boardwalk continues a few hundred feet to the Pinchot Tree Area.
Muir Woods also provides accessible parking stalls, accessible restrooms, and several accessible benches in the entry plaza.
Visiting Muir Woods California redwoods and walking the boardwalk trail
Visitor Info Muir Woods
- Address: 1 Muir Woods Road, Mill Valley CA
- Phone: 415-561-2850
Can I camp at Muir Woods?
Sorry, no camping allowed at Muir Woods, but the closest campgrounds are also in the Golden Gate National Recreation area.
Check the schedule and attend one of the informative talks at Muir Woods
Campgrounds near Muir Woods
- Bicentennial Campground $20 fee tent camping only
- Hawk Campground – FREE tent camping only
- Haypress Campground – FREE tent camping only
- Kirby Cove Campground $30 fee tent camping only
Important info
- Leave no Trace – There are no trash or recycling bins at Muir Woods parking – you must pack out everything that you pack into the park
- REMEMBER: NO Cell phone service at Muir Woods or around Muir Woods
- Open 365 days a year from 9 am to 6 pm daily
- $15 per person aged 16 and older
- No dogs allowed other than service animals
- Visitor Center closes 30 minutes before Muir Woods is closed. The Muir Woods gift shop and café close 1 hour before Muir woods is closed
- Muir Beach, the Muir Beach Overlook, and Stinson Beach all close 1 hour after sunset
- Muir Woods operating hours change with the seasons
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