Ancient coastal redwood trees reach heights of 250 feet in this protected Northern California forest, creating a cool microclimate under their dense canopy.
Ancient coast redwoods tower 250 feet above Muir Woods National Monument, just 12 miles north of San Francisco. You can walk beneath trees that have lived for 800 years, spot river otters playing in Redwood Creek, or follow hiking trails that wind through groves of California's tallest trees.
The main trail through Muir Woods consists of a 2-mile paved loop with raised boardwalks designed to protect the redwoods' root systems. You can choose between three walking options: a 30-minute loop, a one-hour loop, or a 1.5-hour loop. The boardwalk trails accommodate wheelchairs and strollers, though some asphalt sections have developed cracks from weather and root growth. Additional hiking trails extend into the adjacent Mount Tamalpais State Park, where you'll find steeper terrain and unpaved paths.
Temperatures stay between 40-70°F (4-21°C) throughout the year, creating ideal conditions for the forest ecosystem. Red alders, California big leaf maples, and Douglas fir trees grow in the light gaps beneath the redwoods. Look down to spot redwood sorrel, ferns, and mushrooms covering the forest floor. Redwood Creek flows year-round through the park, supporting endangered coho salmon. You might see Pacific wrens darting through the understory, hear woodpeckers tapping on tree trunks, or catch glimpses of deer, chipmunks, and river otters.
The Muir Woods Shuttle runs on weekends, holidays, and select peak weekdays from Sausalito, Marin City, and Mill Valley. During peak season (April to October) and holiday periods, up to 6,000 people visit daily. Consider taking the shuttle since the road to the park is narrow and winding.
You'll need to reserve parking or shuttle tickets before arrival. The park opens daily at 8:00 AM until sunset, including holidays. The Visitor Center displays exhibits about redwood ecology and conservation, and closes 30 minutes before the park. Since there's no cell service or WiFi in the area, download your reservations beforehand. While camping isn't allowed in the monument, Mount Tamalpais State Park has several campgrounds within walking distance.
President Theodore Roosevelt established Muir Woods as a national monument in 1908, naming it after naturalist John Muir. The area survived the extensive logging that affected most of the Bay Area's redwood forests in the late 1800s. Before European arrival in the 1770s, the Coast Miwok people inhabited the region. The monument's creation came through William Kent's land donation, making it the first National Monument established through private land contribution.
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