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Muir Woods is a day-use area. The park is open from 8 am to sunset, every day of the year, including holidays. Muir Woods Visitor Center is open every day from 9 AM to one half hour before the closing of the park. Bear in mind that the park closes at sunset and that this time varies with the seasons. Muir Woods does have both a bookstore and gift shop where souvenirs may be purchased. None of the items sold in these shops are collected in the park. The bookstore, located in the visitor center, contains educational and interpretive materials about Muir Woods, John Muir, redwoods, and much more, including a large children’s selection. It is operated by their park partners, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. Call for more information: (415) 388-7368.The Gift Shop carries souvenirs, T-shirts, post cards, redwood seeds and seedlings, film, snacks and more. It is operated by the park concessionaire, Aramark.

January 9, 1908 saw the proclamation of Muir Woods National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt, consisting of 295 acres. Today more than 800,000 people from all over the world come to visit each year. GGNRA was established in 1972 and contains 75,398 acres that extend from Tomales Bay in Marin County to San Mateo County in the south, encompassing 59 miles of shoreline – one of the nation’s largest coastal preserves.

Muir Woods has a rich and varied history, from its use by the Coast Miwok people, to its early days of tourism, to an era of conservation, to modern preservation. In each era, the forest has been affected by the actions of humans, for better or for worse.

Until the 1800s, 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. Redwood Creek contained one of the Bay Area’s last uncut stands of old-growth redwood. Congressman William Kent and his wife, Elizabeth Thacher Kent, bought 611 acres here for $45,000 in 1905. To protect the redwoods, the Kent’s donated 295 acres of the land to the 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.

John Muir was a philosopher, scientist, and author. Young John Muir’s family emigrated from Scotland to Wisconsin in 1848. Muir had a lively interest in nature and after brief studies at the University of Wisconsin he left school for what he would call “the University of the Wilderness.” On his lengthy wanderings Muir contemplated man’s relationship to nature, concluding that all life forms have inherent significance and the right to exist. Humans, Muir decided, are no greater or lesser than other forms of life. Muir eventually won public acceptance of conservation as an environmental ethic and inspired generations of wilderness advocates.

On May 1, 1910, a commemorative plaque was placed and a redwood tree was dedicated to Gifford Pinchot, Head of the U.S. Forest Service and one of the men instrumental in the founding of Muir Woods National Monument.

On July, 1925 the Muir Woods Toll Road Company began construction on a new road to the Monument. Initially called the Frank Valley Toll Road, it was carved from an old pack-mule trail, which snaked down the lower, southwest slope of Mt. Tamalpais until it descended into Frank Valley. In 1939, the State took over administration and maintenance of this road, and the toll was removed. Today, this is the most popular route used to access the park.

October 1933, often called the “busiest month” in the history of Muir Woods, this month saw the arrival of the Civilian Conservation Corps, or the CCC, to the park. Up to 200 men were stationed at this new camp, initially called Muir Woods Camp NM-3. The “NM” stood for National Monument. The camp was later changed to Camp Mt. Tamalpais SP-23, with the “SP” referring to State Park.

The men began work in Muir Woods and the surrounding Tamalpais State Park. Projects included a revetment (rockwork stream banks) in Redwood Creek; construction of a stone-faced concrete bridge on Fern Creek; construction of utility buildings and benches; and the construction of the Sidney B. Cushing Memorial Amphitheater (the “Mountain Theater”), near Rock Springs, on Mt. Tamalpais. The CCC completed its last project in Muir Woods in May 1941, and was disbanded shortly thereafter.

Fires over the centuries can hollow out a redwood, burning out a cave in the trunk of the living tree. Commonly called ‘goose pens’, pioneers used these burnt out caves to corral livestock.

On July 8th, 1996 an 800 year old redwood tree toppled in the Cathedral Grove of Muir Woods National Monument. About 50 awestruck visitors watched as the 200-feet-tall, 12-feet-wide redwood monarch fell with a roar that could be heard all the way to the parking lot, almost one half mile away.

The tree, which toppled gracefully up-slope caused no damage and required no clean up. The tree will remain where it fell, providing nutrients to the soil, nesting for birds, bedding for plants and water for everything. It can be viewed today in its final resting place just to the left of the United Nations plaque honoring Franklin D. Roosevelt, in the Cathedral Grove of Muir Woods.

The incredible diversity of flora and fauna at Muir Woods can be daunting some times, elusive at other times. The redwoods themselves dominate the scene. Muir Woods is the only old-growth coastal redwood forest in the Bay Area and one of the last on the planet. It is estimated that nearly 2 million acres of forest just like Muir Woods once covered a narrow strip along the coasts of California and Oregon. Today, 97% of this has been impaired or altered and most coastal redwoods now grow on protected second and third growth forests or managed timber plantations. Thanks to William Kent’s preservation efforts, Muir Woods was spared this fate and remains as a very accessible yet prime example of an old-growth forest.

The term old-growth is difficult to define. Old-growth cannot solely be determined by size or age of the trees within a forest because these qualities vary widely with species. However, there are four characteristics that slowly develop through time, and together define an old-growth forest. They are Large Live Trees, Multi-layered Structure, Dead Trees and Interdependent Communities.

The large live trees of an old-growth forest not only stand testimony to the amount of time required to develop into old-growth but also largely determine the structure of the forest. The large trees in Muir Woods are the coastal redwoods, the tallest of all living things, and some scattered Douglas firs. The tallest coastal redwood at Muir Woods is about 258 feet, approximately the height of a six-foot person stacked head to toe 45 times. Further north, these trees can reach heights up to 379 feet, 74 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty. The average age of the coastal redwoods at Muir Woods is between 600 to 800 years, with the oldest being at least 1200 years old. This is still young for redwoods as they can live up to 2200 years. Being long-lived and large in size, they play a significant role in carbon, nutrient, and water cycling in the forest, helping to support an abundance of plant and animal life. Other trees seen are tanoak trees.

Besides being a collection of immense trees, Muir Woods is a rich community of other interesting plants. An old-growth forest commonly has three distinct layers: Herbaceous, Understory, and Canopy. To better understand this, think of an old-growth forest as a human home: the herbaceous layer is similar to the carpet, the understory like the furniture, and the leafy canopy similar to the roof. Each of these three layers support a different community of plants and each one is well adapted to its position in the forest. Example plants are ferns and redwood sorrel.

It was not long ago that the National Park Service used to remove all dead material from this forest to keep it clean and reduce fire threat. However, dead trees are vital for the forest and take many different forms. They can fall and become part of the forest floor and aquatic community or can remain standing, becoming what is known as a snag.

The trees that fall to the forest floor are important because they help keep the soil moist by soaking up rainwater as well as serving as a shelter for many of the insects, amphibians, and mammals in the forest. They continually replenish the soil by slowly releasing nutrients. One of the most important roles for these fallen trees is serving as a nursery for young seedlings. As the logs lie on the ground, leaves and cones accumulate on top, slowly decomposing, and turning into soil. Seeds fall into this fertile soil, growing into young seedlings.

Other trees fall into the creek, creating the habitat diversity necessary for a healthy stream by forming falls and pools. The downed logs help to capture debris, lessen impact of floods, and release nutrients.

The dead trees that remain standing, “snags,” are home to many insects, birds and mammals. Insects feed on these trees, which in turn give the pileated woodpeckers plenty of food to prey on. There are several species of bats that roost under the loose bark and hollows of snags. Hawks, owls and eagles use snags as a perching platforms. Even animals such as the bobcat find shelter in the larger cavities of a snag. Eventually, the tree will fall and assume a new role as a downed log.

The importance of a tree does not diminish after it has stopped living. It is a common saying at Muir Woods that only half the life a tree is spent standing, while the other half is spent on the ground.

All the different components of an old-growth forest are dependent on one another. The large live trees depend on the downed logs for water and much of their nutrients. Plants like redwood sorrel and California bay laurel rely on the multi-layered structure of the forest for protection and sunlight.

An old-growth forest is also itself very interconnected and through time, many of the plants and animals become reliant on one another. One example at Muir Woods is found in Redwood Creek. The redwoods depend on the creek for most of their water and the trees help keep the gravel in the creek clean by stabilizing the soil. The trees also help keep the temperature of the stream cool and constant. As the trees die and fall into the creek, they create pools and enrich the stream with their nutrients. Since salmon need clean gravel, constant water temperature, and pools for spawning, Redwood Creek provides good habitat for salmon. It is one of the last streams in California to still have its native stock of salmon, due largely to the undisturbed forest. An old-growth forest is more than just large trees; it is an interconnected and diverse community of plants and animals.

The bright green fronds you see peeking out of the forest floor at Muir Woods are most likely ferns. The plants referred to as “ferns and fern allies” are plants that have vascular tissue (xylem and phloem for conducting water and sugars), but do not produce fruits and seeds. Muir Woods is host to 13 species of ferns from six different fern families. Other seedless vascular plants include horsetails and club mosses. Horsetail ferns popping up amongst the redwood sorrel are just one example of the many ferns found in this old-growth forest.

You may think of mushrooms as strange and slimy objects that are neither plant nor animal. Or you may be one of the lucky hikers out after an early winter rain that can experience mushrooms in the myriad fascinating forms these fungi take. Appearing seemingly overnight, they come in a vast array of fantastic colors and shapes, from brilliant red, to purple, to golden orange, with caps ranging from the size of a pinhead, to as large as a dinner plate. A slow walk through almost any landscape in Golden Gate National Recreation Area during the rainy season can produce a world of wonder at your feet, but Muir Woods National Monument highlights some of the showiest. Over 200 different species of fungi live in the old-growth Coast Redwood forest and the surrounding hillsides.

Mushrooms are short-lived, spore-producing structures. These fruiting bodies are designed to release spores for the next generation, and then decay. The “body” or hyphae of a mushroom is actually hidden from our eyes underground. This underground matt is composed of a branching network of elongated cells that join together into threads. These hyphal threads grow through and break down dead wood, providing a vital recycling service to our forests. Fungal hyphae also live in the ground, and connect up with the rootlets of trees, shrubs and almost all other green plants, forming a symbiotic relationship. This partnership greatly increases the ability of trees and plants to take up water, and absorb essential minerals. In return, the fungus is provided with photosynthetic nutrients. Neither organism is able to function fully without the other. Mushrooms are not only vital to the health of the Muir Woods eco-system, but they also add charm and magic to the landscape.

Muir Woods contains 6 miles of trails. There is a 1/2 hour loop, a 1 hour loop, and a 1 1/2 hour loop as well as longer hikes on trails that extend into surrounding parks. All of these walks afford views of thousands of old-growth coast redwoods, the tallest living things in the world. Muir Woods has 1.5 miles of paved or boardwalked trail which is mostly flat. Loops of half a mile, one mile, or two miles are easily achieved on this trail. It also features many benches in both sun and shade for resting. For those with a little more mobility, a dirt fire road to Camp Alice Eastwood provides a relatively easy graded additional trail. The café, gift shop, and restrooms all meet ADA accessibility standards, and six parking spaces are reserved in the main parking lot for those with disabled parking placards or license plates. There are two wheelchairs and two strollers available to borrow on a first-come, first-serve basis at the visitor center. Picnicking, pets, bicycles, smoking, and camping are not permitted within the park. However, there are several picnic areas nearby, including Muir Beach, Muir Beach Overlook, and Bootjack Picnic Area.

Enlist you child in the Junior Ranger Program. When they earn their Junior Ranger badge or certificate, they’ll learn what park rangers do to help protect nature—plants, animals, birds, land—and how they work with different communities and cultures to understand and remember our history. As a Junior Ranger, they can care for our national parks, teach others what they learn, and discover new ways to experience their environment.

The Muir Woods Questing allows you and your family to explore Muir Woods with this enlightening activity. You can word search for clues to discover the hidden secrets during your visit.

Muir Beach is about 3 miles away, Stinson Beach is about 10 miles away, and Golden Gate National Recreation Area also has several beaches. Muir Beach is a small beach with a seasonal lagoon behind it. It’s a great place for bird-watching, playing on the beach, and hiking. There is a small picnic area with grills, outhouses, and a pay phone. There are no lifeguards on duty. Dogs are permitted on leash. Please help protect salmon by keeping people and pets out of the lagoon.

On occasion biologists can be seen hard at work conducting fish surveys in Redwood Creek to monitor three crucial periods in the life cycle of coho salmon: juvenile, smolt, and adult. Information will be collected both on a population and individual level in all three monitoring periods.

An old-growth forest is not only a product of a vast amount of time; it is also a result of several other factors, such as adaptation and luck. Even the most highly adapted forest could not withstand repeated disturbances. This makes old-growth very rare in the cycles of nature, but even rarer when humans are included in the picture. In the past, humans have only viewed old-growth forest in terms of economics. However, current research highlights many other important benefits of old-growth forests. These forests provide habitat for hundreds of birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, insects and plants. They minimize soil erosion, produce clean water and air and maintain high biological diversity, which is crucial for this planet.

The park is cool, shaded and moist year round. Daytime temperatures at Muir Woods average between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Be prepared for rain if visiting the park between November through April.

Current Park Weather

For your safety we ask that you remain on established trails while visiting the Park. Poison oak and stinging nettles are common. By staying on the trails you will not only prevent your exposure to poison oak and stinging nettles but you also help preserve an old growth forest ecosystem in which these coast redwood trees need to survive. If you will hike further in the woods, ask a ranger to show you a picture of what to avoid.

Pets are not permitted. The only exception is service dogs. The park is very small and can get very crowded. We need to protect the wildlife, the other visitors, and your pet. However, pets on leash are permitted in some nearby areas, such as Muir Beach, the Coastal Trail, and some trails in the Marin Headlands.

While watching owls please use common sense and be mindful of possible injuries to the owls. Do not use call tapes, imitations of owl calls, or spotlights with any threatened or endangered species. Calling or spotlighting of any wildlife in a national park is forbidden by federal regulations. Do not disturb a nest or roost site by getting too close, even for photos. You may be the reason a nest fails or a roost is abandoned. Do not use flash photography or shine light directly on owls when they are roosting, flying, or capturing prey. Bright light might cause owls to temporarily lose their vision and increase the likelihood of a collision or injury. Do not feed owls. Feeding attracts owl predators and puts them in danger. They are great hunters and will help control rodents. Do not pick up an owl that is on the ground. In May and June it is normal for young owls to be on the ground while they learn to fly. The adults are usually nearby. Keep your distance and keep pets away from the grounded owls.

Everything in the park is protected, including animals, rocks, historic artifacts, leaves, redwood cones, and sticks. If you need a walking stick, please bring your own; animals need the sticks on the forest floor as food and habitat. Remember: “Take only memories and photographs leave only footprints.”

Smoking is allowed in the parking lot and entrance plaza only. Smoking is prohibited within the monument itself. Please dispose of cigarette butts in a proper receptacle. Cigarette butts are litter, and can cause fires when carelessly disposed.

You may not bike in Muir Woods itself. However, there are many fire roads in Mount Tamalpais State Park and Golden Gate National Recreation Area to challenge your mountain biking skills. Many people also enjoy riding the paved mountain roads of the area. Please respect trail designations and regulations and be aware of pedestrians and other vehicles at all times.

Redwood forests are dark and quiet places in which wildlife may seem rare or absent entirely. It’s easy to remain unseen in this dense forest. Many forest creatures are nocturnal. Others live high in the forest canopy or in the soil or deep duff on the forest floor. Visitors to Muir Woods often comment on the lack of wildlife. You may chance to see a black-tailed deer. But if you were to get out a magnifying glass, you would see that life in the redwood forest is not only abundant, it is everywhere; it’s just smaller than you expected. From the dramatic and beautiful, such as butterflies and banana slugs, to the microscopic, such as springtails, the invertebrates of the Monument play a vital role in the health of Muir Woods.

Monarch butterflies add color to the forest and magic to the air. Each fall, they arrive by the thousands to a select few locations in coastal California, completing an annual migration that is unique among insects. Monarch butterflies throughout North America migrate to over-wintering sites in coastal California or central Mexico. The North American Monarch butterfly is the only insect in the world known to make the same kind of annual, back-and-forth long distance migration as birds or whales.

You can begin seeing monarchs in coastal California during late August and September. They are arriving from the states and Canadian provinces west of the Rockies, and each year to the same over-wintering sites, frequently even the same trees. First they gather in “bivouac sites” for a few days to a few months (depending on the weather). Some of these temporary sites are in Fort Mason, the Marin Headlands, Tennessee Valley, Muir Beach, and Stinson Beach — all of which are within Golden Gate National Recreation Area. As the weather gets chilly, (approximately October to February), they move to the over-wintering sites. Then in spring they depart, flying north and east in search of milkweed plants on which the females lay their eggs. Successive generations produce millions of Monarchs to repopulate the western states and provinces.

Every year Convergent Ladybugs migrate to Muir Woods from California’s central valley seeking the cool refuge of the redwood forest. You can see them resting in large clumps on plants and fence posts.

At Muir Woods, there are two different species of salmon; the Coho or Silver salmon and the Steelhead salmon (formerly steelhead trout). Redwood Creek is home to some of California’s last remaining native run of Coho Salmon and Steelhead Trout. Every year after the first winter heavy rains the adult fish return from the Pacific Ocean to spawn. The adult Coho Salmon can typically be seen in the creek December – January. The Steelhead follows soon after and can be seen late January – early March. Although the Coho begin and end their lives in Redwood Creek, the Steelhead battle their way up the creek, spawn and race back out to sea in hopes to return home the following year to Redwood Creek.

Over 50 species of birds have been identified in Muir Woods over a year’s time. Their abundance and periods of song vary with time of day, season, and weather conditions. The greatest variety of avian activity occurs during the spring mornings. A deep, wooded redwood canyon is a specialized habitat. Although this old growth forest supports spotted owls and pileated woodpeckers, the overall lack of food is the primary reason for the apparent scarcity of birds. There are few insects in a redwood forest as the tannin repels insects and the deep shade limits the number of flowers and fruits produced.

The Acorn Woodpecker, Allen’s Hummingbird, American Kestrel, American Robin, Anna’s Hummingbird, Band-tailed Pigeon, Barn Swallow, Belted Kingfisher, Brewer’s Blackbird, Brown Creeper, Bushtit, California Quail, Common Raven, Cooper’s Hawk, Dark-eyed Junco, Downy Woodpecker, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, California Towhee, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Great Horned Owl, Hairy Woodpecker, Hermit Thrush, House Finch, Hutton’s Vireo, Northern Flicker, Northern Saw-whet Owl, and Pacific-slope Flycatcher are fairly common at different seasons.

Hearing the thrilling call of an owl provides an exciting experience for the park visitor. Owls are nocturnal birds. They are best seen at dawn or dusk. Look for indications of the owl’s presence while hiking on trails and roads. White wash on ground or on tree branch, owl pellets or nests all tell of the possible presence of owls. Stay on roads or trails in order to keep habitat disturbance to a minimum. Look for the bird near sunrise or sunset. Stop and listen for their calls. Bring binoculars or a spotting scope. Most owls are shy and elusive. Your view should be from a distance to avoid altering the owl’s behavior. Keep in mind that the Northern Spotted Owl is a protected species. Federal law prohibits close contact between humans and the owl.

If you should discover an owl, be very still and quiet. Do everything in slow motion. Sink slowly to the ground to appear less threatening. If the owl no longer feels threatened, you may get to watch it relax – a real treat. If the owl looks alarmed (elongated or moving its head back and forth, and giving a lot of calls), back off very slowly and quietly, keeping your profile low. Limit your time with the owl. Excessive activity near a nest may result in nest failure by keeping the adults away from the nest for too long, by leading predators to the nest, or by causing curious or frightened nestlings to fall our of the nest.

Ten species of bats have been observed by researchers in Muir Woods National Monument. That is nearly two thirds of the bat species found in the central coast of California. Five of the bats are Federal Species of Concern. The Big brown bat is just one of them. Others include Yuma Myotis, Fringed Myotis, California Myotis, Long-legged Myotis, Silver-haired bat, Western red bat, Hoary bat, Townsend’s big-eared bat, and Mexican free-tailed bat.

Bats find refuge in the cavities of the giant redwood trees within the monument. They use these cavities as day roost for sleeping, night roosts for resting in between foraging, and for maternity roosts. These tiny but long-lived mammals are probably some of the least understood animals around. Getting to know bats is like getting to know a whole new world. Often called “mice with wings,” bats are actually more closely related to primates than to rodents. Other than humans, bats are the longest lived mammals for their size in North America. Bats have the night-time shift, resting in the daytime and hunting over large tracts of land through the night. Most bats use echolocation and bounce sound waves off of insects and objects in order to locate and hunt their prey, keeping many pest insect populations under control. They are also important pollinators and seed dispersers. Bats live on all continents except Antarctica and unfortunately their populations are on the decline worldwide. These often maligned creatures are actually an integral part of any ecosystem, and perhaps a reason to explore the parks at sunset. Listen for the gentle flap of wings and look for that classic silhouette as the sun sinks.

Do not approach wildlife, no matter how small and harmless it appears. An animal that allows you to approach it is more likely to be sick and dangerous. While there have been mountain lion sightings nearby, they have not been seen in Muir Woods itself. The most dangerous animal in the park is the yellow jacket. If you have known allergic reactions to bee stings, please bring your medication. Ticks are present and may carry Lyme disease. Rodent droppings may contain Hantavirus. West Nile Virus has been detected in the San Francisco Bay Area (though Mosquitoes are rare in Muir Woods). To help protect yourself from all animals, do not feed them, and dispose of trash properly.

Entrance fees are $5.00 for adults (16 years of age and older), free for children (15 years of age and under), and $20.00 for the Muir Woods Annual Pass. Entrance fee is also valid for same-day use at John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez, CA.

There is no camping allowed in the Monument. There are camping facilities within Golden Gate National Recreation Area in the Marin Headlands as well as within the Mount Tamalpais State Park.

Fort Baker, Fort Cronkhite, Marin Headlands, Muir Beach, Muir Beach Overlook, Nike Missile Site, Olema Valley, Point Bonita Lighthouse, Stinson Beach, Tennessee Valley, Alcatraz Island, Baker Beach, China Beach, Cliff House & Sutro Baths, Crissy Field, Crissy Field Center, Fort Funston, Fort Mason, Fort Point National Historic Site, Lands End, Ocean Beach, Pacific West Regional Information Center, Presidio of San Francisco, Milagra Ridge, Mori Point, Phleger Estate, and Sweeney Ridge are all part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. San Francisco also offers numerous attractions.

Muir Woods is located 12 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Take Highway 101 to the Highway 1/ Stinson Beach Exit. Follow the signs to Muir Woods. Roads to the park are steep and winding. Vehicles over 35 feet long are prohibited. Parking space is very limited and fills quickly on most days. There are no RV parking facilities. If you do have a large vehicle that fits under the 35 foot limit, (and you feel comfortable on narrow roads AND you have no alternatives) we suggest that you come down the Muir Woods Road (from Panoramic Highway), and return via Muir Beach on Highway 1. (This keeps most of the large vehicle traffic going one way on each road.)

From San Francisco, Peninsula, or South Bay to Muir Woods: Take Highway 101 North across the Golden Gate Bridge. Exit Highway 1/Stinson Beach (there will be a sign for Muir Woods at this exit). Drive about .5 miles. At the stoplight, turn left. Drive about 2.7 miles. At the top of the hill, turn right towards Muir Woods/Mount Tamalpais. Drive about 0.8 miles. At the 4-way intersection, turn left towards Muir Woods (oncoming traffic has the right of way!).
Continue down the hill about 1.6 miles. The Muir Woods parking lot will be at the bottom of the hill, on a sharp turn, on your right.

From Berkeley, Oakland, or East Bay to Muir Woods: Take Interstate 80 East from the Bay Bridge. Exit Interstate 580 West for the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge. Exit Hwy 101 South. Exit Highway 1/Stinson Beach (there will be a sign for Muir Woods at this exit). Drive about .5 miles. At the stoplight, turn left.
Drive about 2.7 miles. At the top of the hill, turn right towards Muir Woods/Mount Tamalpais. Drive about 0.8 miles. At the 4-way intersection, turn left towards Muir Woods (oncoming traffic has the right of way!). Continue down the hill about 1.6 miles. The Muir Woods parking lot will be at the bottom of the hill, on a sharp turn, on your right.

From San Rafael, Santa Rosa, or North Bay to Muir Woods: Take Highway 101 South. Exit Highway 1/Stinson Beach (there will be a sign for Muir Woods at this exit). Drive about .5 miles. At the stoplight, turn left. Drive about 2.7 miles. At the top of the hill, turn right towards Muir Woods/Mount Tamalpais. Drive about 0.8 miles. At the 4-way intersection, turn left towards Muir Woods (oncoming traffic has the right of way!). Continue down the hill about 1.6 miles. The Muir Woods parking lot will be at the bottom of the hill, on a sharp turn, on your right.

From Stinson Beach, Olema, or Highway 1 North to Muir Woods: Take Panoramic Highway from Stinson Beach. Turn Right at Muir Woods (Frank Valley) Road. Drive about 1 mile to the Muir Woods parking lot.

The Muir Woods Shuttle is available on weekends and holidays from May through the end of September. Direct service to/from the Sausalito Ferry is available only from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. To learn more, visit the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District.

Muir Woods National Monument

Mill Valley, CA, 94941-2696

Phone: 415.388.2595

Headquarters: (415) 388-2596

Information For Hearing Impaired (TTY): (415) 556-2766

Fax: 415.389.6957

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