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John Muir said it best; “The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness.”
People from all around the world visit this sprawling slice of heaven in Marin County and pay their respect to nature in the cathedral of redwoods that is Muir Woods National Monument.
Below you’ll find a quick visitor snapshot, a bit of history, how to plan a visit today, and 15 fun facts that’ll make you want to go right now.
Jump to what you need:
Planning tip:
Start with our practical guides: What you need to know before visiting Muir Woods
and 5 Ways to Get to Muir Woods from San Francisco.
Muir Woods National Monument has a rich and varied history, unlike many other monuments in the US. This national park is many things; home to the Coast Miwok, a hot tourist spot, and most importantly, a beacon of conservation.
If you want a broader overview of the monument (hours, trails, visitor basics, and nearby highlights), jump to:
Muir Woods General Info and Overview. And if you’re pairing your redwood visit with classic Bay Area icons, it’s hard to beat a scenic crossing of the Golden Gate Bridge and a wander through the charming waterfront town of Sausalito.
Previously known as Redwood Canyon, Muir Woods National Monument was once home to the Coast Miwok people. To fulfill their food needs, these resourceful people started controlled fires in an effort to open up the forest and conjure food for the deer, which in turn provided optimal hunting opportunities.
With the increase in human population, there was a subsequent need for timber, meat, and crops. Many animals including deer, bears, cougars, and coyotes, started to disappear from the area as a result. Soon, the timber, including massive redwood stands, underwent extensive logging.
The local conservationist and well-known politician at the time, William Kent, observed that due to the population of Redwood Canyon, the area was getting intensely vulnerable, and he was charged with protecting it.
In 1905, Willian Kent bought 600 acres of Redwood Canyon for a hefty amount of $45,000. In 1907, North Coast Water Company was planning for a reservoir in Redwood Canyon. In opposition to this, John Muir asked Kent and his wife for help, and in turn, they donated 295 acres of Redwood Canyon to the Federal Government.
On January 9, 1908, the government announced Muir Woods as the National Monument and the water company project was quickly scrapped.
If you love the “how did this place get protected?” angle, here’s a helpful explainer on the broader concept too: What is a National Monument?. For current park alerts and official visitor info, check:
Muir Woods National Monument (NPS).
Soon after the announcement of its National Monument status, Muir Woods became a hot tourism spot. Thousands of people trampling through the woods on a daily basis harmed the vegetation.
As a protection measure, cars were banned, and designated trails were marked. After some time, the management also banned picnicking and the collection of plants and rocks in the area.
Even today, there is a continuous effort to rebuild the soil, revegetate the land, revitalize the streams, and rebuild the population of salmon and trout.
Muir Woods is still one of the most awe-inspiring nature escapes near San Francisco—but visiting today takes a little planning. Reservations are required (parking or shuttle), and peak days can book up fast. For the most current details on access, conditions, and hours, check the official NPS Muir Woods page before you go.
Most visitors spend about 90 minutes to two hours exploring the main boardwalk loop and nearby trails. If you’re planning a bigger day, Muir Woods pairs perfectly with: Sausalito, scenic overlooks in the Marin Headlands area, and of course photo stops at the Golden Gate Bridge.
If you’d rather skip the logistics and just focus on the fun part (the redwoods!), a private tour is one of the easiest ways to go: Half Day Giant Redwoods + Sausalito + Golden Gate Bridge
or the full-day combo: San Francisco City Tour + Muir Woods + Sausalito.
Muir Woods National Monument – home of giant redwood trees
Below are 15 fun facts about Muir Woods National Monument that will make you want to visit as soon as possible.
The monument features a beautiful 3-D bronze topographical map of the Redwood Creek watershed at the plaza entrance. The map will give you a complete idea of what to expect. Before you start walking, study the map, decide where you want to go, then start your journey for an amazing experience.
Cathedral Grove is the first permanent quiet zone in the entire U.S. national park system. The rangers strongly encourage every visitor to switch off their mobile phones and maintain silence throughout the forest.
In 1945, some 500 delegates from 46 nations gathered in San Francisco and Cathedral Grove for the formation of the United Nations, and to honor President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who had recently died.
Originally, President Theodore Roosevelt wanted to name this National Monument after Congressmen William Kent, as he was the one who donated to the Monument and protected it. However, after Kent’s suggestion, the President named it after John Muir because Muir was the one who called upon congress members to protect the area.
Here you will get to see wonderful aquatic life. A great number of silver salmon and steelhead trout come here to spawn during their season. The park is also the home of red-legged frogs, along with recently introduced western pond turtles.
If you’re visiting with kids (or just want an easy “what might we see?” checklist), start with the official park overview: NPS Nature & Wildlife at Muir Woods.
Birds prefer living in quiet places. This is the reason Muir Woods is home to a great number of bird species. You will be surprised to know that Wilson’s Warbler, a tiny bright yellow bird, travels all the way from South America to nest in this forest!
Covered with coastal redwoods, a species known for their fragrant red bark and towering heights, Muir Woods is heaven for tree lovers. The tallest tree here is 258 feet. The average age is 600 to 800 years, while the oldest tree in this forest is over 1,200 years old!
Want more redwood goodness after Muir Woods? Keep the forest theme going back in the city with a quick stroll through the hidden redwood grove at Transamerica Redwood Park.
Grizzly and black bears used to roam here in great numbers. Unfortunately, with the extensive logging of timber, the bears largely disappeared for more habitable environs.
Muir Woods is magical… but getting there can be the tricky part (reservations, limited parking, winding roads). If you’d rather keep it simple, our private Jeep tours handle transportation and timing so you can focus on the forest:
Half Day Giant Redwoods + Sausalito + Golden Gate Bridge or City Tour + Muir Woods + Sausalito.
Among many things that have improved due to conservation efforts, one is the return of river otters. You will find these adorable animals hunting and playing around Redwood Creek. If you want to spot them, visit in the early morning as the otters are more active around this time.
Women’s Dipsea Hike was a hiking event for women held in Muir Woods. Organized on April 21st, 1918, it was the only women’s hiking event at that time.
Until 1930, tourists frequently used the Crookedest Railroad to reach the redwoods of Muir Woods. Today, people still use Crookedest as it is now an exceptional hiking trail with breathtaking views.
This fact might excite all the nature lovers out there: Muir Woods is an exceptionally dense, dark, and quiet forest that promises to calm and soothe your soul.
You might be surprised to know that some of the big blockbuster movies, including The Lost World, Jurassic Park, Outbreak, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, were filmed in similar redwood forests, not at Muir Woods.
Due to its mild climate all year round, Muir Woods is one of the best spots to visit. Whether you come in the summer or winter, you will find a very comfortable environment here. Dense fog covers the woods in the morning, evaporating by the afternoon into crisp beauty.
Even if you are a pro hiker, Muir’s hiking trails will thrill and challenge you. The park has trails for hikers of every level. One of the most famous of these trails is the Bohemian Grove Trail, which has a two-mile loop of wooden walking paths.
If you’re mapping out the rest of your trip beyond the redwoods, you might also love pairing your Muir Woods day with classic city viewpoints like Twin Peaks or a coastal walk at Lands End.
Before you head into the redwoods, these will save you time and stress:
What You Need to Know Before Visiting Muir Woods
Reservations, parking rules, and best times to go.
15 Fun Facts About Muir Woods
History, hidden details, and why these trees are so special.
5 Ways to Get to Muir Woods (Not All Are Easy)
Honest advice before you pick your route.
Muir Woods anchors full-day and half-day routes that balance forest serenity with coastal and bayside stops.
We can guarantee that visiting this place will be one of the most amazing experiences you have ever had. So, don’t just confine yourself to reading this blog. Visit this fantastic natural monument, as there is so much for you to discover.
For the most memorable experience, keep the adventure flowing and try our half day Giant Redwoods Private Jeep tour with a stop in the Bayside Town of Sausalito, or a glorious full-day combination San Francisco City tour and Muir Woods Tour on board our convertible jeep!
Muir Woods is one of the most awe-inspiring natural escapes near San Francisco—quiet, cool, and filled with towering redwoods that make you feel very small in the best possible way. Here are answers to some of the most common questions visitors ask.
Short answer: An ancient redwood forest just north of the city.
Muir Woods National Monument
is a federally protected old-growth coastal redwood forest in Marin County, just north of San Francisco. It preserves towering redwood trees, a lush understory, historic walking trails, and a conservation legacy dating back to 1908.
They’re truly ancient.
Many of the coastal redwoods in Muir Woods are between 600 and 800 years old, with some exceeding 1,000 years. The tallest trees rise more than 250 feet above the forest floor, creating a cathedral-like canopy overhead.
More than just a pretty forest.
Muir Woods is an early conservation success story, preserved through public donations and activism that helped inspire the National Park Service. Its Cathedral Grove also hosted a 1945 gathering of United Nations delegates honoring President Franklin D. Roosevelt, linking the forest to global history.
Look closely and listen.
Wildlife sightings may include salmon and trout in Redwood Creek, birds such as Wilson’s warblers, owls, and woodpeckers, and mammals like deer and river otters that live in and around the redwood canyon.
Yes—and it’s one of the easiest ways to go.
San Francisco Jeep Tours offers private Muir Woods tours with round-trip transportation over the
Golden Gate Bridge, timed entry to the monument, and free time to explore the redwood trails. Many tours also combine Muir Woods with Sausalito and scenic Bay viewpoints.
Good to know: Muir Woods stays cool year-round—bring layers and plan to move slowly. The magic is in taking your time.
