Muir Woods National Monument has it all: Large redwoods, mountains, colorful mushrooms, ferns, a large creek, miles of hiking , a beach, and views of the coast. If you want to immerse yourself in all the colors, sites and smells of nature, and still be close to San Francisco then Muir Woods is a must see.
Yes, because it is near San Francisco, Muir Woods attracts a lot of people so be prepared with your parking ticket or shuttle reservation ahead of time. There is also a $15 person entrance fee, but if you have a National Park Pass then the entrance fee is included in your pass.
Fees, passes and the like make traveling to Muir Woods feel tricky, but it does help with crowd control, it is a popular spot. Muir Woods is stunning, with its boardwalk that travels next to the river, its lush green hiking trails, sunlight glowing through the dense canopy, and nearby beach. Muir Woods is a perfect big city get away.
Muir Woods
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A bit about Muir Woods
Muir Woods National Monument was the first National Monument to be created after its 295 acres of land was donated to the United States. Congressman William Kent donated the land in order to protect the redwoods from the logging industry and asked that it be named after John Muir. About 1 year before Muir Woods became a National Monument %80 of the City of San Francisco had burned down and the people were needing to rebuild. Because of the need for wood, redwoods were being logged to make new homes. By donating the land of Muir Woods, 800 year old Coastal Redwoods, the tallest trees in the world, were preserved for future generations.
Today Muir Woods is a treasured escape from the hustle and bustle of the Big City. This area is so pristine that not even cell phones can penetrate the beauty and peace of this Redwood Forest. (Really, plan ahead, there is NO cell service in Muir Woods) This is a place where you can immerse yourself in the sounds, sites, and smells of the ferns, creeks, large redwoods and colors of the forest. You can experience salmon and trout swimming up river, and enjoy the luscious green ferns and mosses that cover the ground and trees making it a wonderland of green. There are even trails that will lead you to views above the Redwood Canopy to see the sky and world above the forest.
What you can see and do at Muir Woods
Redwood Trail
This 2 miles round trip trail starts right as you enter Muir Woods. It is a wooden boardwalk that follows alongside Redwood Creek. There is a path on both sides of the creek and several bridges along the way so you can wander and during the winter months. (Dec-Jan) watch the Salmon or Steelhead Trout traveling up river.
This trail (boardwalk) takes you to the trail heads of all the other trails in Muir Woods. Because this trail is the main walkway plan on it being crowded. If you want to get away from people, plan on taking a side trail.
Canopy View Trail to Fern Creek Trail Loop
This 3 mile loop trail is the first side trailhead you will encounter off of the Redwood Trail. It takes you up the canopy trail then splits as it merges onto the Fern Creek trail. (You can go all the way to the top of the Canopy Trail to see above the trees them come back to the Fern Creek trail merge and follow it down.
The downward Fern Creek section of this hike is where you will see colorful mushrooms, a metal bridge, large ferns, and lush green forest.
Look for Mushrooms on any side trail
The side trails in Muir Woods not only take you away from the crowds of the Redwood trail, but lead you to beautiful plants and colorful mushrooms.
While we hiked the Fern Creek Trail we found many different colors of mushrooms ranging from reds, whites, yellows, and blues. The moisture of the creeks and redwoods make Muir Woods a hot spot for mushroom admirers.
Muir Beach
Muir Beach is great spot to relax after a fun morning of hiking. There is beautiful sand to play on, and a short wetland walk nearby if you still feel like exploring.
Pack a picnic, since there aren't places to eat near by and enjoy the rest of your day.
Muir Beach Overlook
This is a short 1 mile out and back trail that leads you to and overlook where you can see Muir Beach and the coast.
Muir Woods Pro Planning Tips
- Season: October - May, For less crowds
- Difficulty: Easy- Moderate, Some steps and uphill hiking.
- Time Needed: Day Trip
- Parking Reservation: $9- $45 depending on vehicle size
- Cost: Ages 16- adult $15, ages 15 and under FREE, or FREE with NP Pass
- Need to get a Parking Reservation before you visit.
- There is a shuttle service into Muir Woods on the weekends for $3.50 ages 16-adult and free for ages 15 and under, park at 100 Shoreline Hwy, Mill Valley, CA 94941
- Download directions to Muir Woods and directions from Muir Woods to the beach BEFORE you go. There is no cell service at Muir Woods so you will pass the beach as you leave the woods if you don’t know where you are going.
- The Redwood trail is an ADA accessible wide boardwalk that follows Redwood Creek. You can walk this loop trail on both sides of the river. Also look for Steelhead Trout swimming up Redwood Creek.
- The Redwood trail is the busiest trail in Muir Woods and connects you with all the other trails. Take the side trails such as the Canopy View trail to get away from the crowds.
- Take the Canopy View Trail to Lost Creek Trail to Fern Creek Trail for a fun kid friendly loop. Canopy View trail is uphill, Lost Creek Trail takes you back down hill then Fern Creek trail is flat. At the end of the Fern Trail walk the Redwood Creek Trail to the park entrance. Full Loop to the park entrance is about 4 miles.
- Take the Canopy View Trail to the top to see the view of Muir Woods from above the trees before heading back down the lost trail.
- Fern Creek trail is a flat trail with lush green ferns, trees and a large metal bridge. The bridge is located where the trail connects to the Lost Trail. It’s a great spot to touch the water, have a snack or take a family picture.
- Muir Woods can be done in the morning leaving the early afternoon open for playing Muir Beach. This is a beautiful black sand beach next to wetlands.
- Visit the Muir Beach Overlook at sunset to finish your day.
More Muir Woods Favorites, Can you Spot it?
Muir Woods bonus! If you keep your eyes alert you will see some of the unique and incredible things that make Muir Woods National Monument so incredible.
Redwood Sorrel
The Redwood sorrel in Muir Woods love shade and have edible, clover-shaped leaves (0.4 to two inches long). These leaves have a tangy, lemony flavor but are mildly toxic, so they should only be eaten in small quantities. Native American tribes still use this plant as a garnish for dried fish and as a type of medicine.
Banana Slug
California banana slugs are the second largest slugs in the world, growing up to nine in. long. These slugs are yellow and can have dark spots, making them look like small bananas. They are decomposers, eating everything that is dead (such as fallen leaves, animals, and feces).
Western Sword Fern
The Sword Fern can grow up to four feet tall and grow in the cool shady areas of Muir Woods. Its leaves look large and tough compared to other ferns. If you look at the underside of its leaves you might find orange or yellow spots. These are spores called “sori” that the fern uses to reproduce.
Redwood Burl
A Redwood burl is a knobby looking growth on the tree. These growths are home to redwood bud tissue. If a tree were to fall this bud tissue can grow into a genetic clone or replica of the fallen tree! This is one of two ways that redwoods reproduce: from seeds or from burls.
California Bay Laurel Tree
The leaves of the California bay laurel tree can be used fresh or dried in cooking soups and sauces. They have also been used as bug repellent, as a way to get rid of lice, and to help with headaches or colds. In Greece winners of poetry and athletic contests wore crowns made of bay laurels.
In Muir Woods you can find them along the top of the Canopy Trail.
Muir Woods and Muir Beach Address and Directions
Muir Woods
1 Muir Woods Rd
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Muir Beach
Unnamed Road
Muir Beach, CA 94965
37° 51' 43.7364'' N and 122° 34' 52.9212 “W
Muir Woods to Muir Beach
From Muir Woods take a right out of the first parking lot down Frank Valley road. Road ends after 3 miles and merges onto 1 freeway. ( You will see houses) Go straight to merge on 1 freeway south, then take your first right after about 500 feet onto Pacific Way. The beach parking lot will be a short drive and on your left.
Muir Beach Overlook
37° 51' 47.7936'' N and 122° 35' 8.3976'' W
Muir Woods really is a special place. I loved hiking and exploring with my family. Exploring nature is always worth the effort especially when you can hike through the forest and relax at the beach all in one day!
From its towering redwoods, lush green forest floors, colorful mushrooms, to its black sand beach, there is something at Muir Woods for everyone to enjoy.