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 this special ecosystem.

To help plan your visit to the National Monument, you will find information on directions, operating hours, fees, activities available during your visit, typical weather conditions, and a downloadable trail map.

Avoid traffic hassles this summer! Ride the Muir Woods Shuttle on weekends and holidays from May 3, 2008 through the end of September, 2008. This year, the bus will stop at Marin City, and Manzanita Park and Ride Lot. The first bus leaves Marin City for Muir Woods at 9:30 am and the last bus to depart Muir Woods National Monument is at 7:05 pm. Direct service to/from the Sausalito Ferry is available only from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. To learn more, visit the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District.

Operating Hours & Seasons

The park is open from 8 am to sunset, including holidays.

Approximate closing times for the year:

• Last Sunday of January—6 pm
• Second Sunday of March—8 pm
• Third Sunday of September—7 pm
• Second Sunday of October—6 pm
• First Sunday of November—5 pm

Directions

Muir Woods is located 12 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Take Highway 101 to the Highway 1/ Stinson Beach Exit. Follow the signs to Muir Woods. Roads to the park are steep and winding. Vehicles over 35 feet long are prohibited. Parking space is very limited and fills quickly on most days. There are no RV parking facilities.

Please refer to Traffic and Travel Tips and Travel Advisories for more detailed directions from the San Francisco, Berkeley/ Oakland, San Rafael/ Santa Rosa, and Stinson Beach/ Olema areas.

Avoid traffic hassles this summer! Ride the Muir Woods Shuttle on weekends and holidays from May 3, 2008 through the end of September, 2008. This year, the bus will stop at Marin City, and Manzanita Park and Ride Lot. The first bus leaves Marin City for Muir Woods at 9:30 am and the last bus to depart Muir Woods National Monument is at 7:05 pm. Direct service to/from the Sausalito Ferry is available only from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. To learn more, visit the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District.

Using Computer and Internet Map

Muir Woods National Monument does not have a street address of the type used by search engines such as mapquest and yahoo maps. Because of this, map searches often direct people to the center of a zip code, which in the case of Muir Woods is several miles away. Always look at the map carefully to see if the destinations are actually labeled Muir Woods. Sometimes our address works, and sometimes it doesn't. Please be aware of this when using a map search engine.

Muir Woods mailing address:

Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, CA, 94941-2696

Try these "street" names as alternatives to "Muir Woods National Monument" that have worked for users in the past:
"Muir Woods Trail"
"Muir Woods"
"Frank Valley Rd"

Travel Advisory

Highway 1 between Stinson beach and Slide Ranch, and Highway 1 between the eastern intersection of Highway 1 to just before Green Gulch Farm, near Muir Beach is OPEN again.

All roads to Muir Woods National Monument are open at this time. However, to find out the latest information on road construction and detours in the area please visit Caltrans.

Fees & Reservations

Commercial Operators, please click on the section titled Commercial Operators to learn more about bringing clients to Muir Woods National Monument.

Entrance Fees

$5.00—Adult (16 years of age and older)*

Free—Children (15 years of age and under)

$20.00—Muir Woods Annual Pass**

* Entrance fee also valid for same-day use at John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez, CA

** This pass is good for 12 months. It admits the pass holder and all accompanying passengers in a private vehicle to Muir Woods National Monument in Mill Valley, CA and John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez, CA.

America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass

The NPS is an important participant in the new Interagency Pass Program, America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passwhich was created by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act and authorized by Congress in December 2004. Participating agencies include the National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation.

The four passes in the interagency program are:

1) America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass—Annual Pass Cost $80

This pass is available to the general public and provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee for a year, beginning from the date of sale. The pass admits the pass holder/s and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas. (children under 16 are admitted free) The pass can be obtained in person at the park, by calling 1-888-ASK USGS, Ext. 1, or via the Internet at http://store.usgs.gov/pass.

2) America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass—Senior Pass Cost $10

This is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. The pass provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity.The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free). The pass can only be obtained in person at the park.The Interagency Senior Pass provides a 50 percent discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services.In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50 percent price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.

3) America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass—Access Pass Free

This is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Documentation is required to obtain the pass. Acceptable documentation includes: statement by a licensed physician; document issued by Federal agency such as the Veteran's Administration, Social Security Disability Income or Supplemental Security Income; or document issued by a State agency such as a vocational rehabilitation agency. The pass provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free). The pass can only be obtained in person at the park. The Interagency Access Pass provides a 50 percent discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and specialized interpretive services. In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50 percent price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.

4) America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass—Volunteer Pass Free

This pass is for volunteers acquiring 500 service hours on a cumulative basis. It provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee for a year, beginning from the date of award. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free). See what volunteer opportunities are available in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Golden Eagle Passport, National Parks Pass and Golden Eagle Hologram

These passes have been discontinued and replaced by the America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass—Annual Pass.

Golden Age Passport

This pass has been discontinued and replaced by the America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass—Senior Pass

Golden Access Passport

This pass has been discontinued and replaced by the America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass—Access Pass

All National Parks Passes, Golden Eagle, Golden Eagle Hologram, Golden Access and Golden Age Passports will continue to be honored according to the provisions of the pass. Only paper Golden Age and Access Passports may be exchanged free of charge for new plastic passes.

Information for all Federal Agencies can be found at Recreation.gov

Interagency Pass FAQ's are available at http://store.usgs.gov/pass/general.html

Traffic & Travel Tips

From San Francisco, Peninsula, or South Bay to Muir Woods

From Berkeley, Oakland, or East Bay to Muir Woods

From San Rafael, Santa Rosa, or North Bay to Muir Woods

From Stinson Beach, Olema, or Highway 1 North to Muir Woods