Park Details
Maps!
John Muir Trail Map Pack
Muir Beach: This semi-circular cove offers a chance to relax and enjoy the California coastal scenery. The Muir Beach overlook provides a dramatic view of the California coastline to the north.
Stinson Beach: The beach stretches beneath steep hills rising to Mount Tamalpais with vistas out to sea and up into the hills. Swimming is advised only from late May to mid-September when lifeguards are on duty.
Olema Valley: This pastoral landscape is a hiker's paradise of forested canyons, tree-lined ridges, open grassy slopes, and historic farm buildings. Most trails are long and many are steep, ascending to ridgetops for ocean views.
Park Details
Location Information
Location:
Located 156 feet above sea level at the visitor center, Muir
Woods is a 560-acre national monument in Marin County,
California, about one-half hour drive north of San Francisco.
Muir Woods is a unit of the
Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is surrounded by Mt.
Tamalpais State Park.
Address:
Muir Woods National Monument
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Telephone:
(415) 388-2595
(415) 389-6957 (Fax)
Directions:
Muir Woods is located 12 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge
and can be reached by U.S. 101 and California 1. Roads to the
park are steep and winding; vehicles over 35' long are
prohibited.
Transportation:
No public transportation serves the park; commercial tours are
available from San Francisco.
Operating Hours/Seasons
The park is open year-round from 8 a.m.to sunset.
Reservations/Permits/Fees
Fees:
Admission of $2.00 at Muir Woods.
Donations are also accepted near the information booth.
Reservations:
Reservations for school groups and other educational groups
should be made three weeks prior to your visit by calling (415)
388-2596. For information concerning special use or commercial
filming permits, call (415) 556-1070.
Climate, Recommended Clothing
The park is cool, shaded and moist year-round, due to summer coastal fog, and winter storms. Daytime temperatures at Muir Woods average between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit with an annual rainfall of about 40 inches, usually in the winter and spring months. Jackets, layered clothing, and walking shoes are advised.
Facilities and Opportunities
Parking:
Parking space is very limited and fills quickly on most days.
Visitor Center/Exhibits:
A visitor center, sales outlet and self-guided nature trail are
available. Muir Woods information is available in a
multi-language brochure.
Trails:
Muir Wood's Redwood Canyon is a place to walk and enjoy the
forest. The park's 560 acres includes six miles of walking
trails. The primary trails along the canyon floor are level and
paved. Bridges along Redwood Creek make short loop walks
possible. Unpaved trails lead up out of the canyon and connect
with 60 miles of trails in Mt. Tamalpais State Park, or to the
Pacific Ocean. All pets, including dogs, are not allowed on
trails inside Muir Woods or Mt. Tamalpais State Park. Bikes are
allowed only on designated trails in Mt. Tamalpais State Park.
Bikes are not permitted in Muir Woods.
Programs, Activities:
Ranger talks are scheduled in Muir Woods year round. Educational
programs for schools are given throughout the school year and
reservations are required.
Lodging and Camping Facilities:
No lodging or camping facilities are available in the park. A
variety of lodging and camping is available in the area including
walk-in campgrounds at the Marin Headlands within the Golden Gate
National Recreation Area and in Mt. Tamalpais State Park.
Food, Supplies, Concessions:
The nearest gasoline and grocery stores are in Mill Valley, five
miles away. A gift shop near the entrance offers snacks and
souvenirs. Picnicking is not allowed in Muir Woods, but picnic
areas are available nearby at Muir Beach and Muir Beach Overlook.
Accessibility:
All paved trails are wheelchair accessible. Handicap parking is
available in the main parking lot. Wheelchairs, strollers, and
"discovery" backpacks for children are available at no
cost at the visitor center.
Recommended Activities/Park Use
Walking and hiking are the two most popular activities at Muir Woods. Visitors also enjoy learning about the forest on the self-guided nature trail, joining in guided programs, viewing wildlife, and studying nature.
Visitation
Muir Woods is visited by over 1.5 million people each year. Visitation is highest in summer months with an average daily attendance of 8,000 to 10,000 visitors. Visitation is lowest in winter months and on weekdays.
Basic Visit Recommendations:
A minimum of one to two hours is recommended to visit Muir
Woods. Two to three days are recommended to visit the Golden Gate
National Recreation Area, including Alcatraz Island, Presidio
Visitor Information Center, (415) 561-4323
Fort Point Visitor Information Center, (415) 556-1693
Special Events Programs
January - Earth Day (celebrated in January to coincide with
the best season for habitat restoration planting)
June - Summer Solstice Celebration
December - Winter Solstice Celebration
Adjacent Visitor Attractions
Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Alcatraz Island, Cliff
House, Fort Funston, Marin Headlands,
Fort Point , (415) 556-1693, Ocean Beach, Presidio of San
Francisco, (415) 561-4323 , the Golden Gate Bridge,
Mt. Tamalpais State Park, Muir Beach, Stinson Beach, John Muir National Historic Site.
Additional Information
Write to :
Muir Woods National Monument
Mill Valley, CA 94941
or call (415) 388-2596.
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