Muir Woods National Monument Travel Tips

Muir Woods National Monument Travel Tips

My biggest tip for visiting Muir Woods National Monument is to arrive EARLY in the morning. It took three visits before I actually made it into the park. Every time I tried to get in on my first two visits the parking lot was packed and people were parking a mile down the road and walking in. This wouldn’t have been a problem except I had all my luggage with me and didn’t feel like leaving it in the car on the side of the road.

No picnicking, pets, bicycles or smoking is allowed within the park.

There is NO cell phone service in Muir Woods!

Uber cannot reliably pick you up due to the lack of cell phone service! If you are taking a taxi or shuttle service make sure and set a time for them to pick you up.

You can download the park brochure before your visit here. Guides are available in English, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, German, Spanish, French, and Italian.

Visit this page for current events and activities at Muir Woods National Monument.

Check this page for current conditions within the park. This page will detail any closures due to weather or road work.

Make sure and dress in layers! It can get quite cool and damp while walking the trails. The trees block a lot of the sun so it is cooler in the forest than other parts of the city.

How much does it cost to visit Muir Woods National Monument?

$10.00-Adult (16 years of age and older)

Free-Children (15 years of age and under)

Muir Woods Annual Pass $40
This pass is good for 12 months. It admits the pass holder and three persons (16 and older) to Muir Woods National Monument in Mill Valley.

America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass: $80
Annual pass covering entrance and standard amenity fees for national parks and other federal fee areas. This replaces the National Parks Pass and Golden Eagle Pass.

Annual 4th Grade Pass: Free
Annual pass covering entrance fees for 4th-grade students for 2016-2017 school year.

Annual Pass for US Military: Free
Annual pass covering entrance and standard amenity fees for all active military personnel and their dependents. (For active duty military personnel and dependents with proper identification (CAC Card or DD Form 1173).)

Access Pass: Free
Lifetime admission and discount pass for US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities.

Senior Pass: $10
Lifetime admission and discount pass for US citizens or permanent residents who are age 62 or older.

Free Entrance Days in 2017 The National Park Service offers the following Entrance Fee Free Days this year:

Other fees such as reservation, camping, lodging, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

How do I get to Muir Woods National Monument?

In the summer, ride the Muir Woods Shuttle. Shuttles will be running again starting in April. Please visit Marin Transit for schedules.

If you are using a GPS to find the park make sure and enter – 1 Muir Woods Rd., Mill Valley CA

From San Francisco

Muir Woods is located 11 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Take Highway 101 North
Take the Mill Valley/Highway 1/ Stinson Beach Exit.
Follow the signs to Highway 1
Follow the signs to Muir Woods.

From the East Bay

Take the Highway 580/Richmond/San Rafael Bridge West
Take Highway 101 South
Take the Stinson Beach/Mill Valley Ext
Follow the signs to Highway 1
Follow the signs to Muir Woods

Vehicles over 35 feet long are prohibited. There are no RV parking facilities.

Where are the Muir Woods National Monument Visitor Centers?

The visitor and information center is right next to the main parking lot for Muir Woods. There is also a concession stand with food and water available.

Where can I find out about staying/camping in Muir Woods National Monument?

There are no lodging facilities or camping in Muir Woods National Monument

Is there a Junior Ranger Program at Muir Woods National Monument?

Yes! Junior Ranger programs were recently redesigned and are available at the Visitor Center. You can also download the Junior Ranger program at home here.

Can I bring my Dog/Pet with me toMuir Woods National Monument?

Yes, Pets must be leashed and with their owners at all time.

Muir Woods National Monument Facts

Muir Woods National Monument is 554 acres

Muir Woods National Monument is considered to be one of the most popular tourist attractions in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The tallest redwood in Muir Woods National Monument is 258 feet tall.

The majority of the trees located in Muir Woods National Monument are between 500 to 800 years old but the oldest tree in the protected forest is over 1200 years old.

50 bird species are found in the national monument.

Additional Resources Information

Phone the Muir Woods Hotline at 388-2595 for program information and updates on hours, seasonal news, trail conditions and program details. Also, follow us on Twitter @MuirWoodsNPS.