Twelve miles north of the Golden Gate, hidden in a fog-fed canyon on the flank of Mount Tamalpais, stands one of the last old-growth coast redwood forests on Earth. Muir Woods National Monument protects trees that were already ancient when the first ships reached California — the tallest living things you can walk among without a serious hike, on a flat boardwalk loop beside a salmon stream.
The single most important thing to know before you go: **you cannot just drive up.** Every vehicle needs a parking reservation, and every shuttle rider needs a shuttle reservation — both booked ahead at GoMuirWoods.com. This guide walks you through exactly how the reservations and the Route 66 shuttle work, what it all costs, when to come, and which groves and trails to see — then you can hear the whole forest and the drive in narrated on a self-guided audio tour that plays itself by GPS and works with no signal (there’s none in the canyon anyway).
- Reservation
- REQUIRED for every visit — parking OR shuttle, booked ahead at GoMuirWoods.com (or 1-800-410-2419). No walk-ups.
- Entrance fee
- $15 per adult (16+), free for ages 15 & under — valid 7 days. America the Beautiful & the $45 Muir Woods annual pass cover entry.
- Parking
- Timed per-vehicle reservation required, 7 days a week, year-round — spaces are limited and book out. Reserve at GoMuirWoods.com.
- The shuttle
- Marin Transit Route 66 “Muir Woods Shuttle” — about $3.75 round trip (free 15 & under), from Pohono Park & Ride + Sausalito, spring–fall.
- Where
- 1 Muir Woods Rd, Mill Valley, CA — ≈30–45 min from San Francisco over Hwy 1 and the Panoramic Highway
- Cell signal
- NONE in the canyon (limited Wi-Fi at the visitor center) — download maps + audio before you arrive
- Dogs
- Not allowed — no pets except service animals (unusual for the area; plan around it)
- Best time
- First shuttle/parking slot of the day, or late afternoon — weekday mornings are quietest
Buy the Muir Woods audio tour
Plays itself by GPS as you drive, narrating every fall and overlook. Works offline.
See the full tour, stops & map →Top things to see & do
The Main Trail & Bohemian Grove
The heart of any Muir Woods visit is the Main Trail, a flat, paved-and-boardwalk path that runs up the canyon floor beside Redwood Creek beneath the giants. You can turn back at Bridge 1, 2, 3, or 4 to make a loop of roughly half a mile to two miles — no hills, no scrambling, just redwoods overhead.
The first grove you reach is Bohemian Grove, where some of the tallest trees in the monument crowd right up to the walkway. Craning your neck here is the moment most people came for: coast redwoods top out near 258 feet in this canyon, and the oldest are well over a thousand years old.
Pro tip: Walk up the paved Main Trail and come back down the parallel Hillside Trail for a loop that sheds the crowds and gives you the forest from above. Early morning light through the fog and canopy is unreal.
Read the full The Main Trail & Bohemian Grove guide →
Cathedral Grove
A short walk up the canyon, the trail enters Cathedral Grove — a designated “quiet zone” where you’re asked to lower your voice to a hush. It’s the stillest, most reverent spot in the forest, and it earns the name: the trees rise like columns and the light comes down in shafts.
This grove is also a piece of world history. In May 1945, as the United Nations was being founded in San Francisco, delegates gathered here for a memorial to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had died weeks earlier. A plaque marks the spot.
Pro tip: Come to Cathedral Grove first thing in the morning before tour groups arrive — with the quiet-zone hush and thin crowds, it’s as close as the modern world gets to silence.
Read the full Cathedral Grove guide →
Founders Grove & the Story of the Saved Forest
Just inside the entrance, Founders Grove honors the couple who saved the forest: Congressman William Kent and his wife Elizabeth, who bought this canyon in 1905 to keep it from being logged — and then from being flooded by a proposed reservoir.
In 1908, they donated the land to the federal government, and President Theodore Roosevelt declared it a national monument. Kent asked that it be named not for himself but for the naturalist John Muir, who called it “the best tree-lovers’ monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world.”
Pro tip: Read the Kent story before you walk in — knowing a private citizen bought and gave away this forest a century ago changes how every tree feels on the way up the trail.
Read the full Founders Grove & the Story of the Saved Forest guide →
Redwood Creek & the Salmon
The clear stream running the length of the canyon is Redwood Creek, and it’s more than scenery — it’s a living nursery. Endangered coho salmon and steelhead trout return here from the Pacific to spawn, one of the last wild runs anywhere near an American city.
The redwoods and the creek keep each other alive: the trees shade the water cool, and the winter floods and fog feed the trees. In the rainy season you may actually see salmon in the pools below the footbridges.
Pro tip: Visit after the first big winter rains (roughly December–February) for the best chance of spotting spawning salmon from the bridges — the forest is greenest and least crowded then, too.
Read the full Redwood Creek & the Salmon guide →
The Hillside Trail Loop
Most visitors never leave the boardwalk — which is exactly why the Hillside Trail is worth it. It climbs gently along the canyon’s western wall and lets you look across at the tops of the redwoods you just walked beneath, with a fraction of the people.
Pair it with the Main Trail for an easy loop: walk up the paved floor to Bridge 3 or 4, cross, and come back down the Hillside. It’s the single best way to feel the scale of the forest without a big hike.
Pro tip: Want more? From here the Ben Johnson and Dipsea trails climb out of the redwoods toward Mount Tamalpais and Muir Beach — serious hikes with ocean views for those with time and legs.
Read the full The Hillside Trail Loop guide →The perfect one-day plan
- Before you goBook parking OR the shuttle at GoMuirWoods.com
Nothing else matters until this is done — reservations sell out, especially weekends and summer. Pick a parking slot or a Route 66 shuttle window, and note there’s no cell signal to book once you’re near the canyon.
- 8:00 a.m.Arrive for the first slot
The first parking/shuttle window of the day is the quietest light and the emptiest boardwalk. Hit the restroom and grab water at the entrance café — there’s none inside.
- 8:20 a.m.Main Trail to Cathedral Grove
Walk up the flat boardwalk through Bohemian Grove to the hushed Cathedral Grove before the tour buses land. This is the magic hour.
- 9:15 a.m.Loop back on the Hillside Trail
Cross at Bridge 3 or 4 and come down the Hillside for the canopy view and near-solitude.
- 10:15 a.m.Founders Grove + Redwood Creek
Finish near the entrance with the story of how the forest was saved, and look for salmon in the creek if it’s winter.
- AfterMuir Beach or Mount Tam
The audio tour continues the day: down to Muir Beach and its overlook, or up Panoramic Highway onto Mount Tamalpais for the big coastal views.
Hidden gems most visitors miss
Muir Beach Overlook
A short drive away, old WWII gun batteries perch on a fingertip of headland with a heart-stopping view straight down the coast. Free, quick, and unforgettable at sunset.
The Dipsea Trail
The route of America’s oldest trail race (since 1905) climbs out of the redwoods over Mount Tam to Stinson Beach — 7.4 punishing, gorgeous miles for hikers who want the whole mountain.
Mount Tamalpais State Park
The mountain that makes the fog that feeds the woods. Panoramic Highway climbs to trailheads and the East Peak with 360-degree views of the Bay, the ocean, and the city.
Muir Beach
A pretty cove where Redwood Creek finally meets the Pacific — a fitting end to the salmon’s journey and a mellow spot to end the day.
The Pinchot Tree
In Founders Grove, a giant named for Gifford Pinchot, first chief of the U.S. Forest Service — a quiet monument to the conservation fight Muir Woods helped win.
Best time to visit
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Salmon, green, solitude
The forest is at its lushest and least crowded, and coho salmon spawn in Redwood Creek after the first big rains. Cool and often wet — bring a rain shell. Parking reservations still required.
Spring (Mar–May)
Ferns, flow, mild days
Everything is green and growing, the creek runs full, and crowds are moderate before summer. The seasonal Route 66 shuttle typically starts up in spring.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Cool fog — and the crowds
While the city bakes, the redwood canyon stays cool and foggy. It’s the busiest season: book parking or the shuttle well ahead, and come at open or late afternoon.
Fall (Sep–Nov)
Warm, clear, calmer
Often the nicest weather of the year — clear, mild days and thinning crowds. Bigleaf maples add gold along the creek. Shuttle service usually winds down in October.
Know before you go
What to pack
- ✓ Your parking or shuttle reservation confirmation (screenshot it — no signal to pull it up on arrival)
- ✓ Downloaded offline maps + audio — there is no cell service in the canyon
- ✓ Layers and a light rain shell — the redwood canyon is cool and damp even in summer fog
- ✓ Comfortable closed-toe shoes (real shoes for the Hillside/Dipsea trails)
- ✓ Water and a snack — the only food is the café at the entrance
- ✓ A camera or charged phone + power bank for the low forest light
- ✓ Cash or card for the entrance fee if you don’t have a pass
- ✓ Patience for the drive — the roads are steep, narrow, and slow
Getting there & parking
Muir Woods is at 1 Muir Woods Rd, Mill Valley — about 12 miles and 30–45 minutes north of San Francisco. From the Golden Gate Bridge, take US-101 north to Hwy 1 (Mill Valley/Stinson Beach exit) and climb the Panoramic Highway to Muir Woods Road. The roads are steep and narrow with sharp turns; GPS sometimes misroutes, so follow the brown park signs and drive slowly.
DRIVING: You must reserve a timed, per-vehicle parking slot ahead of time at GoMuirWoods.com — parking is limited and required seven days a week, year-round, and there is no drive-up option. Arrive within your window; the lots fill and cars without a reservation are turned away.
SHUTTLE (no car needed): The Marin Transit Route 66 “Muir Woods Shuttle” runs seasonally (roughly spring through October) from the Pohono Park & Ride (free parking, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge) and the Sausalito Ferry Terminal. Adult round-trip fare is about $3.75 (free for kids 15 and under), and a shuttle reservation — a 30-minute departure window — is required, also booked at GoMuirWoods.com. On busy days the shuttle is the smart, stress-free way in.
FROM THE CITY WITHOUT A CAR: Take the Sausalito ferry from San Francisco and connect to the Route 66 shuttle, or book a guided bus tour from downtown. Either way, reserve the shuttle leg ahead if you’re not on an all-inclusive tour.
Accessibility
- ♿ The paved Main Trail and its boardwalk sections are wheelchair- and stroller-accessible along the canyon floor, past Bohemian Grove and toward Cathedral Grove.
- ♿ Wheelchairs are available to borrow at the visitor center on a first-come, first-served basis.
- ♿ Accessible parking and restrooms are at the entrance; the café, gift shop, and visitor center are accessible.
- ♿ The Hillside, Ben Johnson, and Dipsea trails are dirt and climb — they are not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible.
With kids & dogs
- • Great with kids: the flat boardwalk, the giant trees, the creek, and (in winter) the salmon make it an easy, wonder-filled outing.
- • Dogs are NOT allowed anywhere in Muir Woods — no pets except service animals. Plan accordingly; don’t leave a dog in a hot car.
- • Keep kids on the trail and boardwalk to protect the shallow redwood roots and the creek habitat.
- • Cathedral Grove is a quiet zone — a fun challenge for kids to “out-quiet” the forest.
Official resources & permits
- Reserve parking & the shuttle (GoMuirWoods.com) ↗
The official reservation system — book your timed parking slot or Route 66 shuttle window here. Required for every visit.
- Muir Woods Shuttle — Route 66 (Marin Transit) ↗
Schedule, stops, and fares for the seasonal Route 66 shuttle from Sausalito and the Pohono Park & Ride.
- Muir Woods National Monument (NPS) ↗
The official park site — hours, conditions, fees, closures, and trail status.
- Parking & Shuttle Services (Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy) ↗
The park partner’s rundown of how parking and the shuttle work, with current fares and seasons.
Where to stay & eat
🛏 Where to stay
- Mill Valley
The closest town — a charming downtown 15 minutes from the entrance, with inns and restaurants at the foot of Mount Tam.
- Sausalito
Waterfront town by the Pohono Park & Ride and ferry — a great shuttle base with hotels, views, and an easy hop from the city.
- San Francisco
Most people visit as a half-day trip from the city, 30–45 minutes south across the Golden Gate Bridge.
🍽 Where to eat
- Muir Woods Trading Company
The café at the monument entrance — coffee, sandwiches, snacks, and the only food inside the gates. There is nothing to eat deep in the forest.
- Mill Valley
The nearest real meal — cafés, bakeries, and restaurants in a walkable downtown 15 minutes away.
- Muir Beach — the Pelican Inn
A storybook English pub near the beach, a classic post-redwoods lunch or pint on the way back to the coast.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a reservation to visit Muir Woods?
- Yes. Every visitor needs either a parking reservation (per vehicle) or a shuttle reservation, booked ahead at GoMuirWoods.com or by phone at 1-800-410-2419. There is no drive-up or walk-up option, and reservations sell out on weekends and in summer.
- How much is the Muir Woods shuttle and where does it leave from?
- The Marin Transit Route 66 “Muir Woods Shuttle” costs about $3.75 round trip for adults and is free for kids 15 and under. It departs from the Pohono Park & Ride (free parking near the Golden Gate Bridge) and the Sausalito Ferry Terminal, runs seasonally spring through fall, and requires a reserved 30-minute departure window booked at GoMuirWoods.com.
- How much does it cost to get into Muir Woods?
- Entrance is $15 per adult (16 and older) and free for ages 15 and under, valid for 7 days. An America the Beautiful pass or the $45 Muir Woods annual pass covers entry. Parking and shuttle reservation fees are separate.
- Can you visit Muir Woods without a car?
- Yes — take the Route 66 shuttle from Sausalito or the Pohono Park & Ride (reserve it at GoMuirWoods.com), catch the Sausalito ferry from San Francisco and connect to the shuttle, or book a guided bus tour from the city.
- Are dogs allowed at Muir Woods?
- No. Muir Woods does not allow pets of any kind except service animals — unusual for the Bay Area, so plan around it and never leave a dog in the car.
- Is there cell service at Muir Woods?
- No — there is no cell signal in the canyon, with only limited Wi-Fi at the visitor center. Download your maps, reservations, and any audio tour before you arrive.
- How long do you need at Muir Woods?
- Most first-timers spend 1.5–3 hours. Ninety minutes covers the Main Trail to Cathedral Grove and back; add the Hillside Trail loop and Founders Grove for a relaxed half day.
- When is the best time to visit Muir Woods?
- Weekday mornings at opening are quietest and best-lit. Winter brings green, solitude, and spawning salmon; summer is cool and foggy but busiest. Whenever you come, book your reservation ahead.
