Old-growth coast redwoods in a hushed canyon, 30 minutes from the Golden Gate.
Photo: Matthew Dillon from Hollywood, CA, USA · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Just twelve miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, a fern-lined canyon shelters one of the most accessible old-growth coast redwood forests on Earth. Muir Woods is the easy redwood day trip — flat boardwalk loops along Redwood Creek let anyone stand beneath 250-foot trees that have lived 600 to 1,200 years. The hushed Cathedral Grove, a designated quiet zone, is the emotional center; longer trails climb the canyon walls into adjacent Mount Tamalpais State Park for those who want more.
The forest exists because of conservation, not luck: in 1908 William and Elizabeth Kent donated the land to save it from a planned reservoir, and President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed it a national monument — named, at Kent's insistence, for naturalist John Muir. In winter, endangered coho salmon return up Redwood Creek to spawn, a rare urban-adjacent run.
The single most important thing to know: you cannot just show up and park. A parking reservation OR a shuttle-seat reservation is required, in advance, year-round, seven days a week, at GoMuirWoods.com — there is no walk-up parking. The approach road is narrow and winding, and the shady canyon stays cool and often foggy even in summer, so bring a layer. Dogs aren't allowed. Reserve an early or late time slot for the best light and the thinnest crowds.
The flagship walk — flat paved and boardwalk loops along Redwood Creek (½ to 2 miles), the easy, accessible way to stand beneath the old-growth giants.
Insider tipThe shorter Bridge 2 and Bridge 3 loops are wheelchair- and stroller-friendly.
Plan a trip to this spot →The hushed signature grove about half a mile up the trail, holding some of the oldest and tallest trees — a designated quiet zone.
Insider tipKeep voices low and phones away; the stillness is the point.
Plan a trip to this spot →Home to some of the monument's tallest specimens — the tallest tree here is about 258 feet, with redwoods commonly 500–800 years old.
Insider tipReached on the easy ~1-mile loop near Bridge 3.
Plan a trip to this spot →In winter (roughly December–January), endangered coho salmon and steelhead return up Redwood Creek to spawn — a rare run this close to a major city.
Insider tipThe creek footbridge closes seasonally to protect spawning habitat; watch from the boardwalk.
Plan a trip to this spot →For more than the valley floor — the Hillside Trail loops with canyon views, while the steeper Ben Johnson and Dipsea trails climb into Mount Tamalpais State Park.
Insider tipThese turn to dirt, narrow, and steep — wear real shoes and expect a workout for the views.
Plan a trip to this spot →Where you learn how the grove was saved — donated by the Kents in 1908, proclaimed a monument by Theodore Roosevelt, and named for John Muir.
Insider tipStart here for orientation and the seasonal salmon and trail updates.
Plan a trip to this spot →Cool coastal California — mild, damp winters (nearly all the rain falls November–March, peaking around 9 inches in December and January) and a bone-dry summer. But the highs you'll read for Marin overstate the canyon: Muir Woods sits in a shaded, north-facing redwood gorge that traps cool, moist air, and summer coastal fog rolls in often. Bring a layer even on a warm day.
The reservation is the whole game — no walk-up parking, ever. Book parking or a shuttle seat first.
About 12 miles / 30–45 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge via US-101 and CA-1; the final road is narrow and winding. ⚠️ Parking must be reserved in advance at GoMuirWoods.com — no walk-up parking is sold on-site.
The Muir Woods Shuttle (Route 66) runs from Sausalito/Marin City — a car-free option (pair with the Golden Gate Ferry) — but the shuttle seat also requires a reservation at GoMuirWoods.com.
No lodging — strictly a day trip.
The most common launch point, ~30–45 minutes away by car or ferry-plus-shuttle.
Booking tipEasy to pair with a Marin or city day.
Charming Marin towns minutes from the canyon road — Mill Valley sits right at the foot of Mount Tam.
Booking tipSausalito pairs well with the ferry-and-shuttle option.
What's the entrance fee?
$15 per adult (16 and older); children under 16 are free, and the America the Beautiful pass is accepted. This is separate from the parking or shuttle reservation fee.
Do I really need a reservation?
Yes — absolutely. A parking spot ($10 standard vehicle) or a shuttle seat must be reserved in advance at GoMuirWoods.com, seven days a week, year-round. No walk-up parking is sold on-site — this is the most common way visits go wrong.
How do I get there?
About 12 miles / 30–45 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge via US-101 to CA-1; the final road is narrow and winding. Or go car-free via the ferry to Sausalito plus the seasonal reserved shuttle.
When should I go to beat the crowds?
Reserve an early-morning or late-afternoon slot — they're less crowded, parking is easier to book, and the light through the canopy is best. Weekdays and the off-season are quietest.
Is it accessible?
Yes — the Main Trail boardwalk along the valley floor (the shorter Bridge 2 and Bridge 3 loops) is wheelchair- and stroller-friendly. The hillside trails are not.
Can I bring my dog?
No — dogs and other pets are not allowed anywhere in Muir Woods (nor are bicycles or picnics).
Pick your vehicle, line up the stops on the way in and out, and carry the whole route in your pocket.
