A Complete Guide to Muir Woods National Monument with Kids
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These two absolutely LOVED getting Junior Ranger badges at John Muir woods
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If you’re looking for what to do at Muir Woods National Monument with kids, you’re in the right place. This blog will walk you through where to stay, what to do, age appropriate hikes, and what weather you can expect.
In 1908 President Theodore Roosevelt used the powers of the Antiquities Act to create Muir Woods National Monument. William Kent, who donated the land for the monument, requested that it be named for conservationist John Muir who asked Mr. Kent to donate the land. This unique landscape features an old grove of the majestic Redwood Trees and is conveniently close to the city of San Francisco. One of the cool facts about Muir Woods is that is is home to the first permanent quiet zone in the entire U.S. national park system (located in Cathedral Grove).
Every visitor to Muir Woods National Monument should make a stop at the Muir Woods visitors center to get a park map, find up-to-date weather forecasts and possible park closures. Park Rangers are also a wonderful resource for learning a deeper history of the monument. There is only one visitor center in the park; it is open 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM. Don’t forget to check out the Muir Woods Trading Company and Cafe!
We missed getting a photo with the official sign, but the entrance to the hike has this awesome sign
Table of Contents
A view from the Muir woods main trail
Best Time of Year to Visit Muir Woods
What is the best time of year to visit Muir Woods? Arguably the best time to visit Muir Woods is sometime between September and October when the crowds thin out. An alternative is sometime between April and May before the throngs of people pour in for the summer.
Summertime, June through August, is the most crowded. The bulk of the 1 million annual visitors visit during these months. If you must visit in the Summer months, don’t worry! Plan your visit for first thing in the morning to ensure a thinner crowd.
**ALL VISITORS MUST MAKE PARKING or SHUTTLE RESERVATIONS PRIOR TO VISITING. Make your reservation HERE.
No matter what season you visit, make sure you bring a jacket because it can get very cool in the shade of the trees.
Graph Courtesy of: https://www.weather-us.com/en/california-usa/san-francisco-weather-july
How to get to Muir Woods National Monument
Muir Woods National Monument is convenient to get to. To give you an idea of how long it will take to get to the park, here are a few examples. Don’t forget to make Muir Woods reservations for parking before you go!
There is no cell service in muir woods, so you must make your parking or shuttle reservations in advance
How long does it take to get from San Fransisco to Muir Woods? 40 Minutes
From San Francisco
Muir Woods is located 11 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Take Highway 101 North
Take the Mill Valley/Highway 1/ Stinson Beach Exit.
Follow the signs to Highway 1
Follow the signs to Muir Woods.
Sacramento to Muir Woods is 1 hour and 45 minutes
Redwoods National Park to Muir Woods is 5 hours and 30 minutes
San Jose to Muir Woods is 1 hours, 30 minutes
The closest city to Muir Woods is San Francisco. It is a very easy drive and doable as a day trip. If you are looking to explore San Francisco on your trip, don’t miss the places with the best views of San Francisco!
MUIR WOODS SAN FRANSICO ADDRESS: 1 Muir Woods Rd, Mill Valley, CA 94941
READ NEXT: What to Do at Pinnacles National Park with Kids
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How much does it cost to visit Muir Woods?
Parking Reservation
$8.50 Standard Vehicle
$30.00 Medium Vehicle
$45.00 Large Vehicle
Park Entrance Fee
$15.00 per adult (16 years and older)
Free - child (15 years and younger)
National Park Annual Pass Members get in free.
**ALL VISITORS MUST MAKE PARKING or SHUTTLE RESERVATIONS PRIOR TO VISITING. Make your reservation HERE.
Pay for your parking in advance, pay your entry here!
Keep your eye out for a banana slug! THey are very cool to see!
Where to Stay When Visiting Muir Woods National Monument
Can you Camp in Muir Woods?
There is no camping at Muir Woods, BUT there are some really great campgrounds near Muir Woods.
Camping
Golden Gate National Recreation Area has 4 campgrounds; all are reservable. The Presidio of San Francisco has one group campground.
Recreation.gov provides information about camping for Kirby Cove in the Marin Headlands.
To make reservations for the other campgrounds in the Marin Headlands call the Marin Headlands Visitor Center at (415) 331-1540. Visit the Presidio Trust site to reserve the Rob Hill Campground on the Presidio.
Lodging
Here is information about lodging in Golden Gate National Parks.
READ NEXT: How to ENJOY Tent Camping with Toddlers
We did a day trip from our home to muir woods, but there are many camping options!
Hotels:
Use this map to find hotels near Muir Woods National Monument that meet your family’s needs and budget.
What to do at Muir Woods
There are several great hiking trails in Muir Woods. Below you will find the best Muir Woods hikes for kids broken down by age and ability. Muir Woods kid friendly and most popular trail is the Muir Woods Main Trail. If you’re traveling with a stroller or wheelchair, Muir Woods Handicap Access is available for the Main Trail as well.
1) Hiking:
Muir Woods Main Trail is wheelchair and stroller friendly
Hikes for Toddlers:
Muir Woods Main Trail: This easy trail begins at the National Parks Visitor Center and follows Redwood Creek on both sides of the stream. Hikers can choose how long they want their hike to be. Turning back at Bridge 2 is a 0.5-mile round trip hike. Hikers who turn back at Bridge 3 will hike 1-mile round trip. Hikers are rewarded with views of old growth redwood forest. This trail is stroller and wheelchair-accessible!
Muir Woods' Main Trail to Hillside Trail: This is an easy 2-mile loop & is the route we chose to take. Hikers who take the Muir Wood’s Main Trail to Bridge 4 will cross over to the Hillside Trail. This dirt path will return you to Bridge 2 and offers a higher view of the forest.
Hikes for Kids:
Canopy View to Lost Creek to Fern Creek Loop: This moderate 3-mile hike climbs 540 feet. Shortly after entering the woods on Muir Wood’s Main Trail, look for the Canopy View Trailhead located just after Founder's Grove. The gradual uphill trail takes hikers into the quiet, peaceful forest on the Canopy View Trail. After climbing approximately 1.3 mi/2 km you will be at almost 1000 ft elevation; take the Lost Trail turnoff on the left and descend through deep forests of Douglas-fir into the redwoods. The Lost Trail ends at the Fern Creek trail; turn left and follow Fern Creek Trail back to Muir Woods' main trail.
Fern Creek to Camp Alice Eastwood Loop: This easy 3-mile hike climbs 340 feet. This trail takes hikers along Fern Creek through a Redwood Canyon. Hikers enter the woods via Muir Woods Main Trail. Approximately .25 miles past Cathedral Grove there will be a sign for the Fern Creek trailhead. Follow the creek for 0.5 miles, then cross over the bridge to begin climbing toward Camp Alice Eastwood — here you will find water, restrooms, and picnic tables. From here, the Plevin Cut Trail, originally part of an early 1900s rail line, will lead you back to Muir Woods' main trail via Camp Eastwood Trail.
Ben Johnson, Return Via Dipsea Loop: This moderate 4 mile loop climbs 925 feet in elevation. However, the trail takes hikers through the redwoods and then climbs to a view of Mt. Tamalpais, the Pacific Ocean, and San Francisco. To get through the trail enter the Muir Woods Main Trail, cross Bridge 4 and continue uphill to the Ben Johnson Trail. Climb steeply up the canyon through redwoods and turn left at the first junction, following signs for Muir Woods. Cross the Deer Park Fire Road and turn left on the Dipsea Trail, heading back to Muir Woods by passing through grasslands and scenic viewpoints. Your time on the Dipsea Trail will end with a stroll over the Redwood Creek Footbridge. ***Be sure to check with the Visitor Center for bridge conditions; it is closed for Coho Salmon spawning season.
Hikes for Teenagers and Adults:
Muir Woods to Muir Beach and back: This is a moderate 6 mile hike. From the Visitor Center, walk back past both Muir Woods parking lots and carefully alongside Muir Woods Road. In 0. 5 mi, the trail begins on the left (east) side of the road. Follow until you reach the intersection of Hwy 1 and Muir Woods Road. Continue straight (south) for about 0.25 mi, then turn right onto Pacific Way (the road to Muir Beach). Caution: Poison oak and ticks are common on this trail. This is one of the Muir Woods Coastal Trail.
Stinson Beach via Dipsea Trail and back: This strenuous 10 mile trail climbs 1240 feet in elevation and it will take the average hiker a full day. To start the trail hikers will descend the staircase to Redwood Creek in the second parking lot then climb uphill for 2.2 miles crossing and paralleling the Deer Park Fire Road out of the redwood forest and through exposed grasslands. Hikers will then need to follow the signs to the Stinson Beach. Turn around and take in the views once more, on your way back. ***Be sure to check with the Visitor Center for bridge conditions; it is closed for Coho Salmon spawning season.
The kids leaning on Bridge 2 — Such a beautiful hike in muir woods
A group shot of us taking a break along the Muir woods main trail
2) Muir Woods Junior Ranger Program
The Junior Ranger program at Muir Woods is designed for children age 5 -12. Junior Ranger books and badges are available at the visitor center, free of charge. Once your Junior Ranger finishes their tasks, head back to be sworn in by a Park Ranger and to receive their badge! This is such a great thing to do in Muir Woods with kids.
The kids earned their junior ranger badge at muir woods!
The kids were so happy to be sworn in and earn their junior ranger badges
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3) Muir Beach
While technically Muir Beach is not in Muir Woods National Monument, it is possible to hike from Muir Woods to Muir Beach (and you can also take a short drive over).
Facts about Muir Beach:
Always watch the waves. There are no lifeguards at Muir Beach.
*Warning* The northernmost end of the beach is popular with clothing-optional sunbathers.
Redwood Creek Lagoon and surrounding riparian area provides critical habitat for coho salmon and red-legged frogs and is closed to all access.
Every autumn thousands of monarch butterflies embark on a once-in-a-lifetime migration to the California coast. Wintering monarchs can sometimes be found decorating Monterey pines in the small grove at Muir Beach; look for their distinctive orange and black wings.
Do not miss the Muir Beach Overlook:
Muir Beach Overlook provides expansive views of the Pacific Coast, including the Point Reyes Peninsula. Visitors can also explore several historic base-end stations, observation posts that were part of the San Francisco Bay coastal defense system. From this vantage point soldiers could easily view ships through telescopes, and plot their distance, speed, and direction in order to aim nearby coastal defense guns that protected the area from invading warships in the 1900’s.
The kids didn’t complain once on our 2 mile hike.
It’s absolutely amazing to see these ancient trees in person
Muir Woods is the perfect destination for families. As one of America’s earliest National Monuments, Muir Woods is a must see for anyone visiting or living in the United States. No matter whether you camp out, stay nearby, Muir Woods will be an unforgettable family adventure.
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