Muir Woods National Monument
Muir Woods National Monument
"This is the best tree-lovers monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world," declared conservationist John Muir when describing the majestic coast redwoods of Muir Woods. Muir Woods has a rich and varied history, tracing back to the Coast Miwok people through modern preservation. In each era, the forest has been affected by the actions of humans, for better or for worse.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Brian O'NeilPhone Number: 415-388-2596
Entrance Fees: Adult (ages 16 & older): $5; Child (ages 15 & under): Free; Muir Woods Annual Pass: $20
Sights: Cathedral Grove; Muir Beach Overlook; Muir Beach
Important Dates
Established as Park: January 9, 1908By The Numbers
Acres: 554.00Annual Visitation: 741,768 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :37.895490 / -122.581630 (map it)
State: CA
Nearby Big City: Mill Valley, CA
Gateway Communities: Mill Valley, CA; Stinson Beach, CA; Corte Madera, CA; Sausalito, CA; Breenbrae, CA; San Quentin, CA; Larkspur, CA; Kentfield, CA; Ross, CA; San Rafael, CA; San Anselmo, CA; San Francisco, CA; Fairfax, CA; Bolinas, CA; Richmond, CA
Nearby Airports: San Francisco International Airport (SFO); Metropolitan Oakland International Airport (OAK); Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport (STS)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : Yes
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Morning Light Through t...
Michael J. Thompson
Tall Trees in the Muir ...
Michael J. Thompson
Trees and Foliage
Michael J. Thompson
View More Muir Woods Photos
In Detail
Activities & Programs Things To Do Muir Woods contains 6 miles of trails. There is a 1/2 hour loop, a 1 hour loop, and a 1 1/2 hour loop as well as longer hikes on trails that extend into surrounding parks. All of these w ... read more.
Animals Redwood forests are dark and quiet places in which wildlife may seem rare or absent entirely. It's easy to remain unseen in this dense forest. Many forest creatures are nocturnal. Others live high i ... read more.
History History & Culture Muir Woods has a rich and varied history, from its use by the Coast Miwok people, to its early days of tourism, to an era of conservation, to modern preservation. In each era, the f ... read more.
In A Nutshell Operating Hours & Seasons The park is open from 8 am to sunset, including holidays. Approximate closing times for the year: Last Sunday of Januaryâ6 pm Second Sunday of Marchâ8 pm ... read more.
Just For Kids Become a Junior Ranger In the Park! When you earn your Junior Ranger badge or certificate, you'll learn what park rangers do to help protect natureâplants, animals, birds, landâand how we w ... read more.
Natural World Nature & Science The incredible diversity of flora and fauna at Muir Woods can be daunting some times, elusive at other times. The redwoods themselves dominate the scene, but Steller's jays often ste ... read more.
Park Regulations & Safety Your Safety For your safety we ask that you remain on established trails while visiting the Park. Poison oak and stinging nettles are common. By staying on the trails you will not only prevent your ... read more.
Planning Your Visit Welcome Muir Woods National Monument offers a quiet sanctuary in a growing urban setting. Known for its giant old growth stand of coast redwood trees, people from all over the world come to visit thi ... read more.
Plants What is an old-growth forest and how is it different from other forests ? Muir Woods is the only old-growth coastal redwood forest in the Bay Area and one of the last on the planet. It is estimated ... read more.
Sights to See Places To Go Muir Woods is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). GGNRA offers a diverse range of natural and cultural sites to explore, extending across San Mateo, San Francisco, ... read more.
Support Your Park There are many ways in which you can support Muir Woods National Monument. You can become a volunteer for Muir Woods National Monument or Redwood Creek Native Plant Nursery; visit our bookstore, gif ... read more.
Who's Who at the Park Bookstore The Nonprofit Partner for the Golden Gate National Parks The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is a nonprofit membership organization created to preserve the Golden Gate National Park ... read more.
Muir Woods In Depth
News from the Parks
Light Pollution Harms Not Just Stargazers
December 2, 2008 - 1:03pm
For students of astronomy, Sunday and Monday night is the equivalent of a World Cup Final, a new Mac operating system, and a Zeppelin reunion show all rolled into one. That’s because, as Horizons guest blogger Pete Spotts noted in his post Sunday, Jupiter, Venus, and the moon will gather to direct a lopsided frown at North America, an arrangement that won’t happen again for another 44 years.
December 2, 2008 - 1:03pm
For students of astronomy, Sunday and Monday night is the equivalent of a World Cup Final, a new Mac operating system, and a Zeppelin reunion show all rolled into one. That’s because, as Horizons guest blogger Pete Spotts noted in his post Sunday, Jupiter, Venus, and the moon will gather to direct a lopsided frown at North America, an arrangement that won’t happen again for another 44 years.
Tourists Bite on ‘Twilight’ Vampire Tours of Forks, Washington
December 2, 2008 - 12:59pm
Fans of the hit movie “Twilight,” inspired by Stephenie Meyer’s vampire series, are swarming tiny Forks on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, where the novels are set, and checking out “Twilight”-themed tours, hotel packages and even food.
December 2, 2008 - 12:59pm
Fans of the hit movie “Twilight,” inspired by Stephenie Meyer’s vampire series, are swarming tiny Forks on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, where the novels are set, and checking out “Twilight”-themed tours, hotel packages and even food.
Crowds Observe World AIDS Day In GG Park
December 2, 2008 - 12:56pm
People from across the country gathered in Golden Gate Park's National AIDS Memorial Grove Monday to observe the 20th annual World AIDS Day.
December 2, 2008 - 12:56pm
People from across the country gathered in Golden Gate Park's National AIDS Memorial Grove Monday to observe the 20th annual World AIDS Day.
Grounded in God, Green and Glaciers
December 2, 2008 - 12:37pm
Remember when Arizona Sen. John McCain criticized spending millions of taxpayer dollars to fund the DNA of grizzly bears in Montana during one of the presidential debates? “That’s us,” said David Restivo, a Roberts Wesleyan College alumnus and visual information specialist at Glacier National Park in Montana.
December 2, 2008 - 12:37pm
Remember when Arizona Sen. John McCain criticized spending millions of taxpayer dollars to fund the DNA of grizzly bears in Montana during one of the presidential debates? “That’s us,” said David Restivo, a Roberts Wesleyan College alumnus and visual information specialist at Glacier National Park in Montana.
Smokies' Formation Began 500 Million to 600 Million Years Ago
December 2, 2008 - 12:35pm
As the Great Smoky Mountains National Park prepares to celebrate its 75th year, students of history and geology are pondering questions that go back much farther than the park's creation in the 1930s. The most fascinating queries to them concern the actual formation of the mountains, their age and topography.
December 2, 2008 - 12:35pm
As the Great Smoky Mountains National Park prepares to celebrate its 75th year, students of history and geology are pondering questions that go back much farther than the park's creation in the 1930s. The most fascinating queries to them concern the actual formation of the mountains, their age and topography.
