Muir Woods Birdwatching

Northern Spotted Owl

Kirke Wrench

The old growth forest of Muir Woods represents a fragmented island of the redwood stands that existed 150 years ago. Muir woods is now the last remaining contiguous stand of old growth coast redwoods in Marin County. Underneath the dappled sunlight, high in the branches of these giants, federally threatened species such as the northern spotted owl nests. Marin County is home for a fairly large population of these small owls that have found themselves spotlighted in the media. At least 69 bird species occur within Muir Woods, the majority of which are small neotropical migrants such as the Pacific-slope flycatcher, winter wren, golden-crowned kinglet, and chestnut-backed chickadee.

 

Details

Duration

1-2 Hours

Activity

Birdwatching

Age(s)

This is an all ages activity. 

Pets Allowed

No

Pets are not allowed in Muir Woods National Monument.

Activity Fee

Yes

There is an entrance fee to Muir Woods National Monument.

In addition, parking reservations are required. 

Location

Muir Woods National Monument

Reservations

Yes

Parking reservations are required to visit Muir Woods National Monument. 

Season

Year Round

Time of Day

Day

Accessibility Information

Accessible Features

• Designated Accessible Parking

• Assistive Listening Devices

• Accessible Restrooms

• Segments of Accessible Trails

• Braille Brochure and Trail Map

• Large Print Brochure

• Accessible Cafe and Gift Shop

• Usable Visitors Center

• Audio Described Brochures and Waysides

• American Sign Language Orientation Videos

• Click here to download an audio described version of the Muir Woods Brochure.

Service Animals

Service Animals, as recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act, are allowed:

Service animals are defined as animals that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

For more information on the DOJ ADA Revised Service Animal Regulations, please click here.

Upon Arrival

As you arrive at Muir Woods, proceed to the main parking lot follow the signs to the accessible parking stalls located closest to the Visitor Center and park entrance. Accessible restrooms are located across from the parking stalls. The surface material within the entry plaza is a compacted mix of recycled asphalt and dirt. The surface is firm and stable. There are several accessible benches located in the entry plaza.

In the Park

Once you arrive, head towards the Visitor's Center. Here is where you can request assistive listening devices for our Ranger Led Tours and Mp3 players containing an audio description of the Muir Woods Brochure and waysides along the Main Trail. The Visitors Center also provides a copy of the Muir Woods Brochure in Braille along with a Braille Trail Map. After stopping at the Visitors Center, follow the raised accessible boardwalk. This boardwalk is part of the Muir Woods Main Trail. If you follow the raised boardwalk to the right it will lead to an accessible gift shop, café and restroom facility. Signage is provided. If you choose to continue into the Redwood Forest, the accessible boardwalk will continue for several hundred feet to the Pinchot Tree Area. There are several informational waysides along the boardwalk. If you proceed past the boardwalk you will encounter an asphalt trail which is usable; however, it contains potholes and severe cracks due to heaving tree roots. As funding and resources allow, we will continue to replace the existing asphalt with an accessible raised boardwalk.