Muir Woods Guide: Old-Growth Redwoods Near San Francisco
Nomad Toolkit
Overview & Vibe
Muir Woods National Monument protects 240 acres of old-growth coast redwoods inside a 554 acre unit about 12 miles north of San Francisco, on the western slope of Mount Tamalpais. Its tallest tree measures 258 feet, the oldest is at least 1,200 years old, and most of the big trees are 500 to 800 years old.
The monument logged 798,625 visitors in 2022 and can see 6,000 people a day in peak season. Arrive at the 8am opening or climb an uphill trail and the crowd thins out.
A Brief History
William Kent bought 611 acres of the canyon in 1905 for $45,000 to keep it from being logged, then donated about 295 acres to the federal government. Theodore Roosevelt declared it a national monument on January 9, 1908, and Kent insisted it be named for John Muir. On May 19, 1945, delegates drafting the United Nations Charter held a memorial for Franklin Roosevelt in Cathedral Grove, where a plaque still marks the spot (Wikipedia).
Transportation
Every car and every shuttle rider needs a reservation from GoMuirWoods.com, and there is no walk-up parking. Standard spaces for vehicles under 17 feet cost $10, EV spaces $13, and oversized spaces $30 (17 to 22 feet) or $45 (22 to 35 feet), so a big RV should park elsewhere and take the shuttle. The shuttle leaves from the Larkspur Ferry Terminal and costs $4 round trip for adults, free for ages 15 and under. It runs Friday to Sunday plus federal holidays from early spring through September, then Saturdays and Sundays only in October. Ferries from San Francisco land at the same terminal. Muir Woods Road is narrow and winding, so allow extra time.
Language, Customs & Etiquette
English is the working language, and rangers answer questions at the visitor center. Signs in Cathedral Grove ask visitors to keep voices down, and the creek is the loudest thing there on a quiet morning. Stay on the boardwalk to protect shallow redwood roots. Eating is allowed only in the entrance plaza and on the cafe patio, not in the forest.
Safety & Security
The main risks are traffic on Muir Woods Road, slippery boardwalks after rain, and poison oak on the upper trails. Keep valuables out of sight in parked cars. Federal shutdowns have closed the monument before, including in October 2025, so check the park alerts page before you drive out.
Weather & Climate
Inside the forest the park service puts temperatures between 40 and 70F all year, cooler than town. Summer brings heavy morning fog that burns off by afternoon, rain falls from late October to early May, and the park calls fall the best weather of the year. The table shows Mill Valley averages, the nearest town, which runs warmer than the canyon floor.
| Month | High F | Low F | Precip in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56 | 41 | 9.6 |
| Feb | 61 | 43 | 9.1 |
| Mar | 65 | 44 | 7.05 |
| Apr | 71 | 46 | 2.56 |
| May | 76 | 49 | 1.2 |
| Jun | 82 | 52 | 0.24 |
| Jul | 85 | 53 | 0.01 |
| Aug | 84 | 54 | 0.12 |
| Sep | 82 | 53 | 0.5 |
| Oct | 75 | 50 | 2.33 |
| Nov | 63 | 45 | 7.47 |
| Dec | 56 | 41 | 7.29 |
Logistics & Practical Info
The monument opens at 8am and closes around sunset, 365 days a year except for emergency closures. Entry is $15 for adults 16 and older, free under 16, and an annual Muir Woods pass is $45. America the Beautiful passes cover entry, but the parking or shuttle reservation is a separate charge.
Redwood Renewal construction runs through 2029, including a new entrance boardwalk (with a detour in) and four pedestrian bridges over Redwood Creek between 2026 and 2028.
Attractions & Activities
Top Sights and Hikes
- Canopy View, Lost Creek and Fern Creek: a 3 mile, 530 foot loop that takes about 2.5 hours and stays inside the redwoods.
- Main Trail and Cathedral Grove: the flat, paved and boardwalked loop along Redwood Creek, with bridges numbered so you can turn back at 0.5, 1 or 2 miles.
- Redwood Creek: coho salmon and steelhead spawn here in winter, and the canyon holds more than 50 bird species and 11 bat species.
- Ben Johnson and Dipsea loop: 4 to 5 miles and 925 feet of gain, about 3 hours, and the fastest way out of the crowds. The Dipsea Race has run 7.5 miles from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach almost every year since 1905.
- Mount Tamalpais East Peak (Wikipedia): the 2,571 foot mountain above the monument. The NPS route from Muir Woods to the top is 8 miles with 2,600 feet of gain, and the state park holds about 60 miles of trail.
- Muir Beach Overlook: a coastal stop about 15 minutes down the road.
Where to Eat
The Muir Woods Trading Company cafe at the entrance opens at 9am, and its posted menu lists an organic white bean and turkey chili bowl at $6.95. In Mill Valley, Equator Coffees at 2 Miller Avenue sells a $12 breakfast frittata sandwich and a $5.75 latte. The Pelican Inn at Muir Beach is a Tudor-style pub with a kitchen open from 11am daily.
Health & Medical
There is no clinic at the monument; rangers handle first aid. The closest full hospital is MarinHealth Medical Center in Greenbrae. Learn to recognize poison oak, which grows along the upper trails, and check for ticks after the longer hikes.
Demographics & Government
The monument sits in unincorporated Marin County and is run by the National Park Service alongside the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Mill Valley, the gateway town, had 14,231 residents in 2020. Muir Beach is a small unincorporated community on the coast below.
Legal & Substances
Pets are not allowed in Muir Woods except service animals, and bikes are banned on monument trails; cyclists use Deer Park Fire Road instead. Recreational cannabis is legal in California for adults 21 and older, but it remains illegal on federal land, which includes the monument. California's DUI limit is 0.08 BAC. Launching drones in national park units is prohibited.
Customs & Shopping
The Muir Woods Trading Company gift shop next to the cafe stocks books, maps and redwood-themed goods, and it closes about an hour before the park does. Downtown Mill Valley has groceries, outdoor gear and bookshops, so stock up there first.
Accessibility & Inclusion
The Main Trail is paved and boardwalked and works for wheelchairs and strollers, with the 0.5 and 1 mile loops the easiest options. Ten accessible parking spaces are bookable at the standard $10 rate. The Access Pass, free for U.S. residents with permanent disabilities, covers the entrance fee. Call 415-561-2850 to check for construction detours.
Gateway Town Connectivity
Plan on no signal in the canyon. The park says you cannot count on cell service, and the visitor center offers only limited Wi-Fi and a pay phone. Do your work in Mill Valley, about 20 minutes away, and treat the woods as the reward. WeWork at 1 Belvedere Place in Mill Valley lists day passes from $39 and coworking memberships from $339 a month. Equator Coffees downtown opens at 6am on weekdays, early enough for a call before an 8am entry slot. From San Francisco, the ferry plus shuttle skips the drive.
Fees and shuttle dates verified October 2026.