Muir Woods National Monument

CONTENTS

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. Until the 1800's, many northern California coastal valleys were covered with coast redwood trees similar to those now found in Muir Woods National Monument. The forest along Redwood Creek in today's Muir Woods was spared from logging because it was hard to get to. Noting that Redwood Creek contained one of the San Francisco Bay Area's last uncut stands of old-growth redwood, Congressman William Kent and his wife, Elizabeth Thacher Kent, bought 295 acres here for $45,000 in 1905. To protect the redwoods the Kents donated the land to the United States Federal Government and, in 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt declared it a national monument. Roosevelt suggested naming the area after Kent, but Kent wanted it named for conservationist John Muir.

IN DEPTH

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...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...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...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 Parks,...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,...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...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...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...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 ...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...read more