Top Ten Tips for Visiting Muir Woods

Duration:

1 minute, 36 seconds

What to know before you go...

Are you ready to explore Muir Woods this summer?

Our rangers have put together this Top 10 List of things to know before visting Muir Woods National Monument. Click on the links to learn more. Be sure to recreate responsibly and have a blast at this ancient redwood forest!

1. Plan transit ahead:
   Reserve, relax, plan ahead & enjoy the Woods! Make your parking or shuttle reservation here. Parking reservations are required ahead of arriving to Muir Woods. Alternative ways to get to the park can be found here.
   
2. Be patient and flexible:
   Hundreds of thousands of people visit Muir Woods during the months of June, July, and August. Traffic and narrow winding roads to Muir Woods often make the drive longer than expected. Weekdays and mornings are the quietest times to visit the park.
   
3. Anticipate limited connectivity:
   Do not expect cell service at Muir Woods. Limited WiFi is only available at the visitor center. Please download your parking reservation in advance. If your group splits up, make sure you all are clear on a plan to meet back up - and a back-up plan, just in case! While it can be an inconvenience if you're unprepared, it's also an opportunity to connect to nature.
   
4. Leave pets at home:
   Pets are not permitted in Muir Woods and the surrounding trails on Mount Tamalpais. To protect the wildlife, other visitors, and your pet, we suggest that you visit nearby areas such as the Coastal Trail at Muir Beach, and some trails in the Marin Headlands where they are permitted. For more information please click here.
   
5. Start at the Visitor Center:
   The Visitor Center and Park Ranger Orientation Stations provide orientation, information, and trip-planning advice. Park staff and park partners are on duty. This is where you'll check in after parking - and when you'll find the iconic Muir Woods entry arch!
   
6. Attend a ranger program:
   Ranger programs are offered every day the park is open! From fifteen-minute talks to longer tours and special programs, these provide you an opportunity to grow your understanding of this unique ecosystem. A daily schedule can be found here - but check in at the Visitor Center for day of changes.
   
7. Download the digital guide:
   The NPS App is like having a ranger in your pocket, giving you access to special self-guided tours, maps, and more! Make sure to download the free NPS app & the Muir Woods specific data before arriving (or using WiFi at the Visitor Center) in order to access information relevant to our park.
   
8. Check out our trails:
   Muir Woods National Monument contains 6 miles of trails. There is a 0.5-hour loop, a 1-hour loop, and a 1.5-hour loop that are all largely flat and paved. Longer hikes on trails that extend into surrounding Mount Tamalpais State Park. View a map of Muir Woods and its vicinity. All of these walks afford views of old-growth coast redwoods, the tallest living things in the world.
   
9. Become a Junior Ranger:
   Want to learn even more about your parks - and earn a special badge? Download & print the Muir Woods Junior Ranger Book before you arrive or ask for one at the Vistior Center. Junior Ranger activities are fun, informative, and free!
   
10. Explore more:
    Muir Woods itself is small - but our park is surrounded by Mount Tamalpais State Park, leading to many more miles of trail for those seeking a bigger hike. Other nearby public lands include:
    • Muir Beach a few miles downstream, a popular where picnics and bonfires are permitted
    • Muir Beach Overlook, where on a clear day you can see San Francisco to the south, the Farallon Islands to the west, and Point Reyes to the north
    • the Marin Headlands, part of the the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and known for its iconic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco, the Point Bonita Lighthouse, and historic military infrastructure
    • Point Reyes National Seashore, a remarkable peninsula of rolling hills, historic lighthouse, tule elk, and seasonal appearances from elephant seals