• Visitors from all over the world come to explore the tranquility, beauty, and nature sounds of Muir Woods National Monument.

    Muir Woods

    National Monument California

There are park alerts in effect.
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  • Muir Beach Parking Lot Closed June-November 2013

    This alert applies to Muir Beach, but not nearby Muir Woods. Muir Beach parking lot closed June-November 2013 for construction. Restrooms and parking will not be available at Muir Beach during this period. Check back for updates or call (415)561-3054.

  • Dipsea Foot Bridge at the Annex Lot is BACK!

    The Dipsea foot bridge at the Annex Lot is back in place. Thanks to all who took the Deer Park Fire Road detour. Taking those extra steps helped to protect Redwood Creek and the endangered juvenile coho.

History & Culture

Old black & white photograph of William Kent (donor & benefactor of Muir Woods) & Stephen Mather (1st Director of the National Park Service) standing next to a large boulder with a plaque about Gifford Pinchot. The redwood tree they are leaning on was dedicated to Gifford Pinchot, The redwood tree name as the Pinchot Tree may be seen today.

W. Kent and S. Mather standing at the base of the Pinchot tree at Muir Woods National Monument.

Muir Woods has a rich and varied history, from its use by the Coast Miwok people, to its early days of tourism and the Mount Tamalpais Mill Valley Scenic Railway, to an era of conservation, to modern preservation. In each era, the forest has been affected by the actions of humans, for better or for worse.
Explore our history pages to learn more about the people and timeline!

See a synopsis of the Proclamation declaring Muir Woods a National Monument or learn the complete history of Muir Woods National Monument, by downloading the Muir Woods Historic Resource Study (25MB, PDF file).

Did You Know?

A burl can grow high up on the side of a Redwood tree.

A burl is a mass of dormant buds grown on the redwood’s trunk.  In the event of a fire or flood disturbance a burl will vigorously sprout shoots each with the potential to become a mature tree.