Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

I don't have a car. How do I get there?

Most visitors access Muir Woods by personal vehicle. Alternate ways of visiting include by seasonal shuttle, rideshare/taxi, on foot, or by private tour. Visit our webpage about transportation and directions for more information.

 

When is the park open?

Muir Woods is open every day of the year, including all holidays. The park is open from 8:00 AM to sunset. For details, visit our hours of operation webpage. In the case of severe weather, rangers will publish information about emergency safety closures on our alerts webpage.

 

How much does it cost to visit?

Muir Woods charges parking reservation and entrance fees. For details on costs, visit our fees and passes webpage.

 

Is Muir Woods accessible to those with limited mobility?

Yes! For detailed information about accessibility, visit our accessibility webpage here.

 

Can I bring my dog or other pet to the park?

No pets are allowed at Muir Woods National Monument. Pets are not allowed to protect the wildlife, the other visitors, and your pet. Emotional support animals are not permitted in the park; only working service animals may enter.
Pets are permitted in some nearby areas, such as Muir Beach, the Coastal Trail, some trails in the Marin Headlands, Marin Municipal Water District lands and Marin County lands.

 

Can I picnic in the park?

No, the park is simply too small a space for so many people to enjoy picnicking without impacting the very forest which they are here to visit. However, there are several picnic areas nearby, including Muir Beach, Muir Beach Overlook, and Bootjack Picnic Area.

Food and hot beverages are available in our café, operated by our park concessionaire, Muir Woods Trading Company.

 

Can I camp at Muir Woods?

Muir Woods is a day-use area and camping is not allowed at the site. There are a variety of camping opportunities in nearby parks however. Check out our Eating and Sleeping webpage for nearby camping locations.

 

Do you have education programs?

Yes! We have a variety of education programs both at Muir Woods and throughout the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

 

Is photography allowed in the park?

Yes, personal photography is permitted at the park. You and your camera equipment must stay completely on the trail at all times. However, if you are filming for commercial purposes, you may need a permit.

 

Do I need reservations?

Yes, the National Park Service has a parking or shuttle reservation system at Muir Woods National Monument. Reservations are required for all vehicles or shuttle riders. Details are available at gomuirwoods.com.

Please visit our online resources if you are coming for one of our special events or for an education program.

 

May I bike in or near Muir Woods?

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. If you're considering biking to Muir Woods, know that the route is strenuous.

 

What will we see at Muir Woods?

You will see the tallest type of tree in the world, the Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) as well as the countless other plants and animals that are part of an old-growth redwood forest. You may find more information on our nature webpage, including about the plants and animals in the park.

 

Is there a drive-through tree at Muir Woods?

No, there has never had a drive-through tree at Muir Woods. Cutting the hole in the trunk endangers the health of the tree. Some trees have hollows from fire, including in the Bohemian Grove, but no hollows allow for visitors to walk through a tree.
There used to be a drive-through sequoia tree known as the Wawona Tree in Yosemite National Park, but it fell in 1968/69. There are three privately owned drive-through redwood trees along Highway 101 in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties (northern California). The closest one is about 4 hours north of Muir Woods.

 

Are there any dangerous plants or animals?

Both poison oak and stinging nettle grow at Muir Woods. With poison oak, as the saying goes, "leaves of three, let them be." If you stay on the lower trails, you are unlikely to encounter either. If you will hike further in the woods, ask a ranger to show you a picture of what to avoid.

Wild animals can become dangerous if they are sick, injured, or harassed. 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 Mosquitos are rare in Muir Woods). To help protect yourself from all animals, do not feed them, and dispose of trash properly.

 

Can I get married in Muir Woods?

How romantic! Weddings are permitted at Muir Woods – but obtaining and respecting the permit is critical. Visit our webpage about park permits to obtain more information on obtaining a permit. Below, we'll outline some of the key expectations we have of guests:

At Muir Woods National Monument, weddings may not restrict or limit the access of other visitors to the park. Therefore, permits for weddings are issued outside of peak visitor hours, so either before 10 a.m. or after 4:30 p.m. From March 15 to October 15, we are unable to issue permits for weekends and holidays.

Capacity determined by site, no groups of more than 30 people. No chairs, lecterns, props, singing or music is allowed and there is no space for receptions on-site. For hopefully obvious reasons, no fire or flames are permitted under any circumstance. We also require that nothing is left behind, including flower petals, confetti, or rice, and all guests must remain on trail at all times. No foot or vehicle access into any closed area is allowed unless accompanied by NPS staff.

 

Can I drive my RV, bus, or trailer to Muir Woods?

Your large vehicle, like a bus, RV, or trailer, may be able to access the park, but restrictions apply. The roads to Muir Woods are very narrow and winding. The California Highway Patrol limits vehicles to no longer than 35 feet on Highway 1. There are no parking places for RVs and cars/trucks with trailers in the parking lots.

 

Is there a beach nearby?

The nearest beach to Muir Woods is Muir Beach about 3 miles away. Stinson Beach is about 10 miles away, and Golden Gate National Recreation Area also has several beaches.

 

Can I take anything from the park as a souvenir?

No, everything in the park is protected, including animals, rocks, historic artifacts, leaves, redwood cones, and sticks. Take only memories and photographs, leave only footprints. Muir Woods has a bookstore and gift shop where souvenirs may be purchased.

 

Can I spread ashes at Muir Woods?

No, under no circumstances may human ashes be scattered, spread, or left in any way at Muir Woods National Monument. While we understand the sentimental desire, cremated remains pose substantial environmental issues including soil degratation and nutrient pollution, causing harm to plans, animals, and the ecosystem. In dedicated efforts to protect this forest and its watershed, any foreign substance found in Muir Woods will be removed.