<p>Muir Woods marks the southern front in a battle for survival between two competing owl species. On this strenuous 3-mile dusk hike we will look and listen for the owls that call Muir Woods home. Learn more about their history and ecology and receive the latest research updates on our most famous resident, the Northern Spotted Owl. Find out how the Barred Owl emerged as a potent new threat in our own back yard. While owl encounters are not guaranteed, the unique night-time splendor of sauntering along Redwood Creek is assured to leave some lasting memories!</p>

Visitors stand together while a volunteer, right, speaks.

two visitors match contents from an owl pellet with images on a guide sheet.

Owl Prowl

<p>Looking for trail suggestions and orientation? Saw something curious in the forest that you want to ask about? Need a junior ranger book? We are here to help!</p>
<p>Come find Muir Woods rangers where you have questions for them: right at the park's entry/exit. Our station has local information, objects to explore, and a wealth of resources to support you during your visit - so don't hesitate to ask. </p>
<p>Core hours for the ranger station are 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, though we are often open longer than that. For information in anticipation of your visit, please visit the link below. </p>

a ranger leans over a desk and points in the distance with a young child in pink by her side

visitors - one wearing fairy wings - speak with a ranger in uniform

a young girl points up and a ranger, standing next to a table, looks up with her

a young boy points to a bird on a guide of animals at Muir Woods

Ranger Station

<p>Join a Muir Woods Ranger or volunteer in a grove of towering Coast Redwoods for a 15-minute welcome talk. To inspire &amp; connect you deeper to this park, our staff will share about the history &amp; ecology of old growth redwood forests, indigenous stewardship of the landscape, protecting &amp; restoring this ecosystem, and more.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Please allow yourself at least 10 minutes to get from the entry arch &amp; Visitors Center to Founders Grove where the talks take place. The path is a firm surface accessible to most mobility devices.</p>
<p>For day-of scheduling changes, including additional talk times, other programs, and possible cancellations, please view signage at the park entry or ask Visitor Center staff. For a trail map, please visit the link below.</p>
<p>On Thursdays, the 10:15AM talk does not take place due to limited staffing. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

standing in front of a massive trunk, a ranger speaks with visitors of many ages

visitors seated and standing on a deck applaud for a ranger, standing on the left in uniform on the

a uniformed ranger laughs with visitors in a forest

Welcome to the Woods 15-Minute Talk | Founders Grove, Muir Woods

<p>Journey into the heart of Muir Woods National Monument on a 1-hour ranger-led tour with a national park ranger and naturalists. See the forest through the eyes of an expert as they expand your understanding of this diverse ecosystem and help you observe its rich complexity.</p>
<p>Covered topics vary and include old growth redwood charecteristics, forest and fire ecology, park history, native stewardship, and contemporary conservation practices. This tour is a great opportunity to ask questions and make seasonal observations of flowers, plants, and animals. </p>
<p>Typically, this program traverses .5 miles from the Visitor Center to Bridge 3 near Cathedral Grove, though guides may extend or abreviate the milage. The path is a flat, firm surface accessible to most mobility devices. All ages are welcome.</p>
<p>For day-of scheduling changes, including additional talk times, other programs, and possible cancellations, please view signage at the park entry or ask Visitor Center staff. For a trail map, please visit the link below.</p>

a ranger faces a group of visitors and points up

Into the Woods 1-Hour Tour | Entry Archway, Muir Woods

<p>Help us conserve Muir Beach by joining us at a monthly beach clean-up! Volunteers will enjoy beautiful ocean views while they remove litter and debris, protect native habitats, and help minimize marine debris. This is a fun family-friendly volunteer opportunity, volunteers of all ages are welcome.</p>
<p><strong>When:</strong> one Thursday a month, 9:30 am–12:30 pm.</p>
<p><strong>Where:</strong> Muir Beach parking lot. <a href="https://www.parksconservancy.org/events/event-registration?fid=46&amp;eid=136"><u>Registration is required.</u></a></p>
<p><strong>Supplies:</strong> We invite volunteers to bring their own reusable supplies! Limit waste by bringing your own bag or bucket and gloves if you have them - but don't worry if you don't, we'll have some supplies on site for you to use.</p>
<h4>GROUPS</h4>
<p>Groups of five or more require special arrangements and must be confirmed in advance. Please review the <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/10K17wJRIxhhv82dyrKVVh70RuN-ncNjQPM8-2G0gFhw/edit">List of Available Projects</a> and fill out the <a href="https://www.parksconservancy.org/volunteer/volunteer-group-project-request-form">Group Project Request Form</a>.</p>
<h4>AGE, SKILLS, WHAT TO BRING:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Volunteers ages 10 and up are welcome. Read our <a href="https://www.parksconservancy.org/sites/default/files/youth-policy-guidelines.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Youth Policy Guidelines (PDF)</a> for youth under the age of 15.</li>
<li>Bring your completed <a href="https://www.parksconservancy.org/sites/default/files/volunteer-agreement-form.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Volunteer Agreement Form (PDF)</a>. Volunteers under the age of 18 must have the parent/guardian approval section signed.</li>
<li>We'll be working rain or shine. Wear clothes that can get dirty. Long pants and closed-toe shoes are required. Bring layers for changing weather and rain gear if necessary.</li>
<li>Bring a personal water bottle and sunscreen.</li>
<li>No experience necessary. Training and tools will be provided. Fulfills community service requirements.</li>
</ul>

two figures, one wearing the NPS uniform & the other holding a bucket & grabber, stand on a beach

Muir Beach Clean-Ups

<p><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Winter is a magical time on Mount Tamalpais and in Muir Woods. Colorful fungi pop up in the oddest places, early forest wildflowers start to make appearances, and the sound of vigorously flowing water echoes back down from the forest canopy. This hike will seek out all that magic, without needing a Muir Woods parking reservation! There will be plenty of creekside vibes and many opportunities to spot fungi.</span></p>
<p><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">This is a moderate 5-mile loop hike that will gain about 800 feet of elevation altogether. It will start at the Mountain Home Inn, go down Alice Eastwood Road, Troop 80 Trail, Sierra Trail, and Lower Fern Creek Trail and will return to the trailhead via Canopy View Trail and Panoramic Trail.</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Participants should carry water and snacks (to be consumed in designated areas), dress in layers, and wear shoes suitable for potentially muddy hiking trails. </span></li>
<li><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Ticks and poison oak may be present along the trail. </span></li>
<li><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Pets other than service animals are not permitted on this hike.</span></li>
</ul>

Mount Tamalpais State Park-led Guided Hike | Winter Delights: Fungi & Flowing Water

<div>
<p><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Winter is a magical time on Mount Tamalpais and in Muir Woods. Colorful fungi pop up in the oddest places, creeks and drainages flow with water, and, as winter starts to turn to spring, more and more forest wildflowers enliven the trails. This hike will seek out all that magic, without needing a Muir Woods parking reservation! There will be plenty of opportunities to scope out forest wildflowers like redwood violets, redwood sorrel, and fetid adderstongue, plus chances for even more colorful fungi.</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p>This is a moderate to strenuous 5.5-mile loop hike that will gain about 1200 feet of elevation altogether. It will go down Panoramic Trail and Canopy View Trail to Muir Woods and return via a steep climb up Bootjack Trail and then more easily along Troop 80 Trail and Alice Eastwood Road.</p>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Participants should carry water and snacks (to be consumed in designated areas), dress in layers, and wear shoes suitable for potentially muddy hiking trails.</li>
<li>Ticks and poison oak may be present along the trail.</li>
<li>Pets other than service animals are not permitted on this hike.</li>
</ul>
</div>

<div>
<p><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Early spring is a delightful time on Mount Tamalpais and in Muir Woods. The water from winter rain still swells waterways and brings out the green in forest and field and early grassland wildflowers join the varied forest wildflowers in delighting the eyes. </span></p>
<p><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">This hike will seek out all the variety of visual delights that we can pack into a reasonable hike, without needing a Muir Woods parking reservation! The longish, meandering route will maximize opportunities to find forest wildflowers, including calypso orchids, enjoy the flow of Redwood Creek, and seek out the emerging grassland and chaparral wildflowers.</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p>This is a moderate to strenuous 5.5-mile loop hike that will gain about 900 feet of elevation altogether. The route descends on Alice Eastwood Road, Plevin Cut, and Alice Eastwood Trail and will return via a steep climb up Dipsea Trail followed by the more gentle Sun, Redwood, and Panoramic Trails.</p>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Participants should carry water and snacks (to be consumed in designated areas), dress in layers, and wear shoes suitable for potentially muddy hiking trails.</li>
<li>Ticks and poison oak may be present along the trail.</li>
<li>Pets other than service animals are not permitted on this hike.</li>
</ul>
</div>

Mount Tamalpais State Park-led Guided Hike | Early Spring Delights: Flowers & Flowing Water

Food

Dining

Guided Tours

Hiking

Junior Ranger Program

Wildlife Watching

Birdwatching

Shopping

Bookstore and Park Store

Animals

Birds

Fish

Forests and Woodlands

Coniferous Forests

River and Riparian

Trails

Unique Species

Endangered

Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908, this primeval forest is both refuge and laboratory, revealing our relationship with the living landscape. What will you discover in Muir Woods?

$15 per person 16 years of age and older. Entrance fees may be purchased in advance with your parking/shuttle reservation or upon arrival to the park. Parking/shuttle reservations are required for all vehicles and shuttle riders visiting Muir Woods National Monument. Reservation fees are separate from entrance fees. Please visit GoMuirWoods.com for parking/shuttle reservations.

Entrance - Per Person

Wooden sign and entrance to Muir Woods National Monument

Muir Woods National Monument

A wooden bridge crosses Redwood Creek in the redwood forest

Bridge through Muir Woods

Sun rays shine down on a visitor among very tall redwood trees

Bohemian Grove

A yellow banana slug creeping along a twig

Banana Slug

in a shady forest, a ranger in a flat hat and green uniform speaks with a small group of visitors

Informal interpretation at Muir Woods

Two rangers stand next to a big sign and speak to visitors seated in the foreground

Rangers speaking with school group

a visitor points to a sign that says muir woods

Visitor at MUWO sign

two rangers in flat hats with their backs to the camera point at trees in the distance

rangers pointing at redwoods

Muir Woods

Muir Woods is open every day of the year, with exceptions for inclement weather and hazardous conditions. Our core winter hours are 8AM-5PM; in the spring, summer, and fall we are open later based on increased daylight hours. Updates on closures will be posted as an alert to the website and on social-media pages.

Day	Hours
Friday	8:00AM - 5:00PM
Monday	8:00AM - 5:00PM
Sunday	8:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday	8:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday	8:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday	8:00AM - 5:00PM
Wednesday	8:00AM - 5:00PM

Muir Woods National Monument

Park Photos

Activities

Fees

Operating Hours

Weather info

Events

Owl Prowl

Date(s)

Ranger Station

Date(s)

Welcome to the Woods 15-Minute Talk | Founders Grove, Muir Woods

Date(s)

Into the Woods 1-Hour Tour | Entry Archway, Muir Woods

Date(s)

Muir Beach Clean-Ups

Date(s)

Mount Tamalpais State Park-led Guided Hike | Winter Delights: Fungi & Flowing Water

Date(s)

Mount Tamalpais State Park-led Guided Hike | Winter Delights: Fungi & Flowing Water

Date(s)

Mount Tamalpais State Park-led Guided Hike | Early Spring Delights: Flowers & Flowing Water

Date(s)

Plan

Get Involved