Know Before You Go

Plan ahead for your visit:

Pets

Pets are not permitted in Muir Woods. The park is very small and can get very crowded. To protect the wildlife, other visitors, and your pet, we suggest that you visit nearby areas such as the Coastal Trail at Muir Beach, and some trails in the Marin Headlands where they are permitted. For more information please click here.

Service animals trained to do a specific task are allowed in the park.

Hours of Operation

Muir Woods is open until 8:00 am until approximately sunset.

For more information on hours of operation, visit our Basic Information page.

The Muir Woods Visitor Center is open 8:00 am to 30 minutes before the park closes.

Maps and Hikes

View a map of Muir Woods and the surrounding area

View a list of hiking trails and suggestions.

 

Parking and Fees

Parking reservations are always required via GoMuirWoods.com ahead of your visit. There is NO cell phone service or WiFi at or around Muir Woods National Monument. Download your parking reservation in advance.

Entrance Fees

Muir Woods has an entrance fee that is separate from parking and shuttle reservations. Entrance fees may be purchased in advance with your parking reservation via GoMuirWoods.com or upon arrival to the park. Please visit Fees and Passes page for more information.

Any National Park Service pass will cover entrance fees for the pass-holder and three additional adults. More information on entrance fees can be found on the Fees and Passes page.

About the parking timing system:

Your reservation comes with a 30-minute arrrival window. You are guaranteed a parking spot during that period. If you are in a standard sized vehicle, you are then welcome to stay until the park closes.

If you are running early or late, parking attendents may try to accomodate you. You can always call ACE parking at 800-410-2419 with updates on your arrival, especially if it is more than 20/30 minutes earlier or later than your time slot. Anything less than 20 minutes outside of your arrival window will very likely be accomodated.

Shuttle

Ride the Muir Woods Shuttle! The shuttle is only for visitors who parked off-site, and need to be shuttled on-site, and is a good option for those looking to take public transporation. There is no shuttle that runs through the Woods, it is a walking-only park.

The shuttle provides seasonal service to Muir Woods National Monument and generally runs over the summer, on holidays, and weekends. Visit gomuirwoods.com for up-to-date information.

Ride-shares and Taxis

You may take a ride-share or taxi to Muir Woods without a reservation, however, there is no cell-service at Muir Woods to call them for a return ride. If the shuttle is running, you may act as a 'stand-by' passenger to ride the shuttle back into town if there is space and availability. You must have cash, and shuttle drivers do not have the capacity for change back. Check the shuttle prices online at gomuirwoods.com

Muir Woods has a pay-phone and list of cab companies that service the woods. When hiring a taxi visitors have the option of negotiating a flat rate, or using the meter. Under some circumstances a flat rate may be cheaper.

Public Transit Options

Public Transit to Muir Woods that drops off directly at Muir Woods is limited to the Muir Woods shuttle (see information above).

Marin Transit Route 61 and 61F stops at Panoramic Hwy & Edgewood Av, right next to the Mountain Home Inn. This is about 800' above Muir Woods and 1.5 miles away.

For experienced and prepared hikers, if you disembark at Panoramic Hwy & Edgewood Av, you can take a left on the Panoramic Trail to the Canopy View Trail to Muir Woods. You will still have to pay your entrance fee.

If you plan to take public transit, factor in a round-trip hike of 3 miles with 800' of elevation loss and gain.

Gift stores and Cafe

The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy bookstore is located at the Visitor Center. You can also view their online offerings at https://store.parksconservancy.org/.

The Muir Woods Trading Company retail space is open 9 a.m. to approximately an hour before closing time.

The cafe is open 9 a.m. to approximately an hour before closing time.

Starting 1/23/23 and running through March, 2023, the cafe offer a "light" yet tasty version of its core menu. It will continue to offer a wide variety of delicious local and organic snacks, pastry, cold sandwiches, seasonal fruit and vegetables, cold beverages and tea.