Muir Woods

The basics

If visiting independently, follow the raised boardwalk from the park entrance and you'll find yourself at the crossroads of the park's easy and popular hiking trails. Alternatively, visit Muir Woods on an organized tour departing from San Francisco. Both half- and full-day options are available and often include stops at the nearby Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, coastal Sausalito, or even Napa & Sonoma wine country. Combined San Francisco city tours, bay cruises, and Muir Woods visits are also popular.

Things to know before you go

• The park has a gift shop, café, and visitor center at the park entrance.

• Purchase Muir Woods tickets in advance with your parking/shuttle reservation or on arrival to the park.

• Youth 15 and under don’t pay entrance fees.

• Skip the hassle of reserving a shuttle or parking spot in advance (availability is extremely limited) and book a tour with round-trip transportation instead.

• Walking tours and bike tours are among the most popular ways to see the area.

• The park has many accessible features, with boardwalk platforms throughout.

• Even the easiest hikes can stir up an appetite—stave off the hunger by booking a tour that offers a gourmet lunch in Sonoma County.

How to get there

Muir Woods is located just 12 miles (19 kilometers) north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge, making it an easy day trip from the city. It's possible to arrive by public transit, but the easiest way is by organized tour. If coming by car, drive north on Highway 101, continue north along Highway 1 (Shoreline Highway), then take the Panoramic Highway to Four Corners, where you'll turn left onto Muir Woods Road.

When to get there

Muir Woods is open from 8am to sunset during summer and closes at 5pm in winter. The site can become quite crowded, especially on weekends, so try to come midweek, early in the morning, or late in the afternoon to beat the crowds. Even at busy times, a short hike will get you out of the densest crowds and onto trails with giant redwoods and stunning vistas though.

Spotting animals in Muir Woods

Hiking and biking along the well-marked trails are the most popular things to do in Muir Woods, but visitors can also look out for several critters such as chipmunks, squirrels, owls, and—near the Redwood Creek—sea otters. Kids can also enjoy their visit to Muir Woods with a free-to-download, activity-packed Junior Ranger booklet which includes animal-spotting activities.

Are Muir Woods tours worth it?

Yes. Muir Woods National Monument is a natural wonder that preserves one of the Bay Area’s last remaining ancient redwood forests. A walk through these soaring trees, which are many hundreds of years old, inspires reverence and is well worth making the short journey from San Francisco.

How long are Muir Woods tours?

Guided tours of Muir Woods National Monument typically take 1-2 hours to walk among the mighty redwood trees. If you book a tour that departs from San Francisco, you can expect the entire experience to take around 3.5 hours, including round-trip travel time.

What is the best way to visit Muir Woods?

Visiting Muir Woods with a guided tour has several advantages over driving there yourself. Primarily, you will enjoy a richer experience in the company of a guide who can offer expert insight into the forest, and you won’t have to worry about parking (reservations for which must be made in advance).

What is the best time to visit Muir Woods?

The best time to visit Muir Woods is from May to October, when the weather is mild and warm. To avoid summer crowds, visit in the early mornings or late afternoons. Early morning, when the trees are shrouded in thick fog, is a particularly magical time to visit.

How much time do you need to spend at Muir Woods?

One to two hours is enough to visit the main areas of Muir Woods. However, if you plan to hike one of the longer trails that lead around the national monument, you should give yourself between three and five hours.

Can you drive through Muir Woods without a reservation?

No. You cannot drive through Muir Woods since no road leads through the national monument. The old-growth redwoods are not visible from any road. Moreover, all drivers (and shuttle riders) must book entry tickets in advance. Book a guided tour to avoid the reservation system; if you feel adventurous, hike in.

Ways to explore

If visiting Muir Woods independently, follow the raised boardwalk from the park entrance to find yourself at the crossroads of the park’s easy and popular hiking trails. Alternatively, visit Muir Woods on an organized tour departing from San Francisco. Half- and full-day options are available and often include stops at the nearby Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, coastal Sausalito, or even Napa & Sonoma wine country. Combined San Francisco city tours, bay cruises, and Muir Woods visits are also popular.

Accessibility

Muir Woods has 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) of paved or boardwalked trails that are accessible to wheelchair users. Its café, gift shop, and restrooms meet ADA standards, and it has several wheelchairs available for rent.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Pre-downloaded NPS app (Wi-Fi not available in park), water bottle, camera, rain gear

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes, layers for cool or foggy conditions

Not allowed

Pets, bikes, smoking

Amenities

Restrooms, visitor center, complimentary brochure with map, café

Address

Muir Woods is located in Marin County, approximately 40 minutes north of the city via US-101, which traverses the Golden Gate Bridge. You can drive there, but parking reservations must be made in advance; alternatively, you can also make a reservation for seasonal shuttle services, which connect the Sausalito Ferry Terminal and Larkspur Ferry Terminal with the park. Some public transit options exist, while guided tours are an easy option.

Driving

If driving to Muir Woods from San Francisco, take US-101 N across the Golden Gate Bridge and into Marin County. Transfer to CA-1 N and continue to Muir Woods Road. You must have reserved and paid for parking in advance; download the reservation confirmation before you visit, as there is no Wi-Fi in the park.

Public transportation

Catch the 130 or 150 bus from downtown San Francisco to the Marin City Hub-Donahue Street & Terners Drive stop in Sausalito. There, transfer to the 61 bus to Panoramic Hwy & Bayview Drive, which stops 1.3 miles (2 kilometers) from the Visitor Center. Alternatively, take the 130 bus to Bridgeway & Bay Street, after which you can transfer to the park shuttle (on weekdays in season).

Best times to visit

To skip the biggest crowds at Muir Woods, arrive right when the park opens (generally 8am) or late in the afternoon. The visitor center closes 30 minutes before the park closes at sunset.

Best days to visit

Weekends can be very crowded, particularly during the summer—aim for weekdays instead.

Best months to visit

May–October is the most popular time to visit, when the weather is least likely to be wet and foggy.

Special events

If you can, time your visit for Earth Day in late April, when volunteer conservation works are done in the park. Alternatively, visit on September 21, the International Day of Peace, when park rangers lead contemplative park walks.