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Muir Woods National Monument
Mill Valley, CA 94941, United States
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CJ
Review №1

This place was so wonderful! Id never seen massive redwoods up close and this was a great way to do it. Because of COVID restrictions only a certain number of people were allowed in the area at a time. It was quiet, calm, cool, and serene. It was definitely well worth the hour plus that we drove each direction to get out there and take in this truly beautiful preserve. Youd never think you were so close to a big city.

da
Review №2

Awesome little national park with a lot of history from FDR and how the park became recognized. For the people be prepared to have a jacket it is a bit cold and condensation is always present. Would definitely spend the night at the place for a camping tour. During the pandemic I would reccomend you make a reservation because the parking is usually reserved for those that made reservations to visit the park.

br
Review №3

This place is an absolute must see!! A true gem tucked away with the most beautiful sights from the trees to the breathtaking views- you can hike a trail or just stroll through the forest. Its a real adventure; perfect for family fun. My kids were even able to get a Junior Badge which they loved!

Re
Review №4

We went on a quite Sunday afternoon. When I was looking for parking tickets, they were available only for the afternoon, hence the decision to visit at 3.30pm. There was no crowd at all. One of the best experiences as we had the park almost for ourselves to enjoy. The park was absolutely beautiful. Stunning views of the tall redwood trees in every direction. It is very much kid friendly park. Please keep in mind that the cafe inside the park closed at 4pm. We had a wonderful two hours in the park.

Jo
Review №5

Im in love with this place. It was the perfect way to say farewell to California. If I go back, Ill again take the trip ONLY to have that delicious, peaceful walk through the tallest trees in the world.

Ca
Review №6

Beautiful environment and pathways. a must for any visitor to this areabut thats to be just observed not so much as a tourist... but a fellow member of this great Earth and her amazing Beauty!Become part of the living environment and surrender to its Majesty! Exit And really appreciate the serenity of what this space intended to bring peace and Bridge all people together! Plan to spend as much time here as possible to contemplate explore and truly experience it to its fullness my only regret is only having a short time there.need to come back to spend more time.Plan on several hours not just a pass-through

Ar
Review №7

Wow, it is incredible here. Make sure you go to the website and buy a parking pass, you cannot go here without one. There is no cell service so download a map of the trails before you get there, or buy one at the front. So quiet and peaceful in the morning. Worth every penny. Nature is neat.

di
Review №8

It requires reservations. No walk ins. There are only 4 parking lots of you want to charge electric car. Parking cost is 8.5$ per car. The trail itself is very soothing and well maintained. It is steep as you go up. You can complete a loop from Vanvick meadow. There is not much of areal view. But the greenery is ample. The lush green pine trees, redwood tress are amazing. Have not heard of any animal sighting so I guess there is low risk of bear and snake encounter. The trek is medium intensity and it can easily take up a day of you want to finish the loop (assuming you are not a pro)

Br
Review №9

Such an amazing monument! The loop itself has a very accessible trail that accommodates walking and strollers for all (up to bridge 4). The first section is suitable for wheelchairs. We took 3 kids all under 5 with plenty to see and do. There are plenty of restrooms, a great gift shop and even a cafe. Youll need to buy a reservation before going that gets you parking and entrance to the park.

al
Review №10

Absolutely love it!!! I would recommend to anyone, the drive there is gorgeous as well. I just wanna say this for people coming please respect other guests and talk as quietly as possible. One of the main things about the woods is how quiet it is there and I can say that there was probably a handful of people that were just rude and you could hear carrying on a full conversation that took over the whole forest it felt like. Please respect others experience!!!!

Je
Review №11

Beautiful place to visit. Nice n easy hike. The trees are small compared to Avenue of the Giants, but an amazing place to visit anyways. Be sure to make reservations in advance, the parking lot is small. The beach is a 5 min drive away or about a 20 min trail walk.

Ry
Review №12

Beautiful walk through a well kept and serene environment. Easy to navigate and beautiful views.

Ro
Review №13

This is a great place to explore. A good, easy walk. Compared to the Avenue of the Giants, the trees are few, but an incredible place to visit anyway. The parking lot is tiny, so make reservations in advance. The beach is a 5-minute drive away or a 20-minute walk along the trail.

Jo
Review №14

Nothing beats the smell of the Muir woods makes me feel like one with nature. Trees are beautiful, nice trails even got a few nice pictures.

Sh
Review №15

I mean how can you rate a place with Giant Redwoods? This is such a wonderful getaway from the city and just half an hour drive. Be sure to make a parking reservation and if you have a National parks card, it would work here. We did the Canyon view trail - out and back, and then completed the whole park loop. Perfect for kids too!

Sh
Review №16

I loved how peaceful it was! It was not crowded, at all. We went on a weekday. We did the 2 mile loop & that was just right, for me. I would highly recommend making a stop here. The gift shop is worth a moment of your time, as well

RT
Review №17

If you are near the San Fran area you have to visit Muir Woods to see the Redwoods. But dont miss the hiking. We took a combo of trails but the one trail you have to get to is the Panoramic Trail. You will not regret the work it takes to get up there. Its a bit of a climb (stairs included) but it is worth it. The views are amazing. You truly feel like youre in a different country. The climb is difficult. If you arent good with stairs or climbing for an extended period of time then this may not be the trail for you. Itll pay off even if it takes time for you to get up there. There really arent any natural resting spots (benches, sitting area, etc.). It is trail and maybe like one bench or a rock somewhere to rest on. Take plenty of water because there isnt a place to refill on the trail. There are also a number of wasps out right now and apparently they are aggressive so just be careful. One person got stung while we out there but that was it.

Ma
Review №18

This is a gorgeous place to take a walk with the family. The red woods are so impressive and huge in person. The trails are nice and cool and wide. We were able to push a wheelchair along the path.

Sh
Review №19

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! Had an 8-8:30 reservation and got there a little before 8. We were the first visitors into the park and got some nice quiet time before we started to see other people. It was my first time there and I loved it! The staff in the gift shop/cafe were friendly and helpful and had some interesting facts about the flora and fauna of the woods.

so
Review №20

One of the hidden gem for me, as I went there after visiting a lot of forests, even in the other states. The other side of the Golden Gate is already full of the coolest urban and wildlife spots, and this park, full of some greenest trails I have ever seen, can be one of the showstoppers. There are a lot of redwood trees with different shades of red. Also, people enjoy its streams and semi-natural bridges you will find by the walk. This can be considered as a staple one-day trip for anybody living near San Jose.

Jo
Review №21

Love the paved paths! And the more adventurous paths are a bit scary because there are no fence. But very fun!

Ja
Review №22

This monument is definitely a national treasure. These trees are amazing and appear to be reaching to the clouds.

Al
Review №23

We parked nearby and then went there by bus. It is very nice to walk through the beautiful forests with the impressive redwood trees. There are marked paths and also staff who can give you information.

Ev
Review №24

A nice place to see the coastal redwoods. There is an easy flat paved trail that allows you to see the tallest trees, and also more difficult options to get away from the crowds. The parking is regulated through an online reservation system.

Sh
Review №25

Place is fully blessed with historical trees and pure nature, its pretty close to golden gate towards 101.Parking is required in advance $8 and you must buy park entry ticket which is now $15 which I found bit costly as per the park infrastructure

Be
Review №26

Loved it. Ill let the pictures do the talking

Tr
Review №27

Awesome place for Day hikes. Get there early to miss the crowds. Gotta get your parking pass online early too. Worth the planning.

Da
Review №28

You both had a day off so we decided to go on an adventure. There were a lot of people there. But, most people wore masks. The drive was just the right length for our 14 month old. You do have to reserve a parking spot online. Milly walked a lot of the way. She fell asleep on the way back to the car. So much fun.

At
Review №29

Well marked trails. Heavy traffic. Variety of different trails from easy to hard. $15 entrance fee per person. Parking reservations are required and the reservation time slots fill up 1 to 2 weeks in advance.

Pa
Review №30

It was breathtaking and handicap accessible. I have electric scooter and had no problems getting around!

Jo
Review №31

Great place to get in some family time while physically distancing from others...Make sure to buy a parking pass in advance...Completely worth the trip.

Je
Review №32

A must go if you have the time to visit! It’s a beautiful national monument with Redwoods that are THOUSANDS (yes, you read that right!) years old. The park features some great hiking trails as well as a main walking path, so there’s something for everyone and you can choose the amount of time you want to spend there. I’ve recently noticed that they’ve made additions to some signage to provide knowledge about the Miwok Natives who used to reside on and care for this land. We hiked the Ben Johnson trail, which is a fun, semi-strenuous hike for me - and I haven’t been in shape since spring this year.You will need a car to visit. If you can, try to make a short detour before or after to the Muir Beach lookout near Seacape.Last tip- make sure to reserve ahead of time for a parking space. There’s also some free National Park entry days, so if you’re looking for an excuse to go, reserve on these days for a free visit! :)

Ch
Review №33

Was here in May 2019, spent almost five to six hoursFrankly, I wasnt prepared for what I sawA very neatly marked out walking track in the woods, disturbing the nature in its original form to the minimum possible, and a variety of trees, some possibly close to or over a thousand yearsThe green offers its various shades as always, and with mild sunlight seeping thru some gaps overhead, the magic is just mesmerizingThe air has a distinct freshness, naturalness to it, usually very difficult to find in citiesThe light has a dreamy softness to it, again rare to experience in the modern day concrete junglesAll in all, its an experience you can just go back to in your mind to freshen up if you ever get bogged down by lifes pressuresLovely visit

Mi
Review №34

The cool thing about visiting Muir Woods during these times is the lack of a crowd, its a photographers dream, we were able to set up our cameras and get the shot that we wanted without the crowds. If you are thinking of visiting the area. I do recommend you doing so during these times.

Me
Review №35

Been here several times and always love it. A beautifully preserved park with stunning historic trees, great info center and countless trails to hike. Usually need at minimum 2-3 hours to enjoy the park and a trail or two. There are restrooms at the visitors center.*you do need a reservation to get parking, plan ahead.

Mi
Review №36

Great drive, great view and a great trip for all ages. Its a great walk even for the youngest and oldest in the family. Remember to purchase your parking ticket online to reserve your parking space prior to visiting, print or download and have it ready. There is no signal here.

Sa
Review №37

Beautiful park with amazing vantage points of redwoods all around you. Easy walk on the main trail which is relatively paved but be careful if it has rained recently. The unpaved trails are awesome and highly recommend them if you have time. Good for all levels of experience and kids. Buy the national park pass for $80 if youre going to make more than one trip or have 4 guests. Worth it!

La
Review №38

That was a beautiful, refreshing stroll. The trees are gorgeous!!

Ma
Review №39

I suggest taking advantage of their early arrival reservations during the pandemic. We visited right when they opened on a Friday, and only passed a few trail runners for the first hour plus we hiked. It was so serene. The fog and brief periods of drizzle were amazing.

Li
Review №40

We took the hike from muir woods entrance to what we thought was Stinson beach. We got to a point where we saw the ocean..and that was very beautiful..Hike was enjoyable. People are wearing masks and respectful maintaining their distance. Our hike was much longer than expected. We are not avid hikers...but would recommend to anyone who wants a good hike.

Do
Review №41

Incredible. My first up-close experience with redwoods.

Pi
Review №42

So we went there with not much of expectations but I was amazed to see these amazing reserve. If you love photography then I would definitely recommend to go here

Ja
Review №43

My family and I love hiking here. Beautiful views and wonderful trails. Great way to beat the heat in the Bay area too.

Jo
Review №44

Nice for a stroll thru some magnificent redwoods. This time it was with reservations so that they could control the folks coming in especially those no mask wearers that think they are too cool to wear a maskKids had fun and learned some history of trees and also womens womens suffrage (there were a lot of interesting posters of some amazing historical women)

Ry
Review №45

This place is really majestic and the creek that runs through the middle of the forest is amazing. One of the best hikes I have ever done in my life. If you’re in the San Francisco area this is a must go place if you love forest and hiking. I will definitely be returning.

Br
Review №46

Great place for a family walk or take a hike off the main loop. Either way you will see some great redwoods.

Do
Review №47

It was straight out of the movie Fern Gully! VERY green, VERY fresh and quiet!! Many of the trails were shutdown due to covid but when in nature I dont need directions, I just walked and enjoyed the scenery. 10/10 must check it out.

K1
Review №48

Spectacular experience this place feels like it takes you back in time and if you are quiet enough you might be lucky enough to hear mother nature. The beginning of the trail is a lil over crowded and noisy but the farther in you get the better it is. Ill stop here and let you experience the Majestic trees and the magnificent forest for your self.

Dr
Review №49

First time going to Muir Woods. We had a great time

sh
Review №50

The majestic view of the horizon on taking the TCC trail is simply breathtaking and will leave you speechless.

Br
Review №51

Amazing views, limited parking but no issue finding a spot with a reservation. Could have spent hours here walking around.

Mi
Review №52

A quaint glen filled with redwoods, a brook, and a nice boardwalk. Good for dates or family outings.

Di
Review №53

Amazing ecosystem out here! We walked the Canopy, Panoramic, Lost, Sun and Dipsea loop. Not too hard, not too easy, just right!

Ad
Review №54

Loved it. Get reservations for parking online at Muir woods.

Ga
Review №55

Everything is well organized. Reserved parking earlier, so no problem with getting a parking space. The trail is well maintained, weve taken a trail loop that goes till the bridge four—stunning views of tall Redwood trees and forest area: spotless restrooms, excellent gift shop, and cafe—an all-around enjoyable experience.

An
Review №56

Amazing place. Beautiful redwood trees. The hike was amazing under lush, tall redwood trees

Ch
Review №57

So not a challenging trail, but a really beautiful one. Yes its busy, but the beautiful trees will make you forget that pretty quickly. It seemed accessable to almost everyone, seems like they tried to make it that way. FYI reserve parking ahead of time

Za
Review №58

Great place outdoor to get fresh air and relax. Beautiful park with giant redwoods are incredible. Have multiples hiking trails, but we did the easy one. There is Gift Shop, restroom, at the Visitor Center. Book your parking ticket online ahead.

Ro
Review №59

Beautiful towering trees. There is an easy 1 1/2 hour walk/hike through the redwoods. Be sure to buy parking permit in advance online.

Be
Review №60

This is truly a National Monument. Its great that Redwood Forest has been labelled a National Monument - Great indication to posterity that this needs to be preserved because its important.Very approachable from San Jose, Oakland and elsewhere, this place has tonnes of Redwood Trees - The subject of Bob Dylans lyric and the tallest tree in the world. Walk around, explore the reserve, enjoy the babble of many a brooks, and marvel at the sheer size of the trees - that are so high they blot out of the sky!A truly amazing experience! Take your kids with you. They should also learn to appreciate the magnificence of nature so that, in the long run, we can protect our planet mother!

Ma
Review №61

Its a beautiful place. So peaceful and relaxing. Ill be back. The staff was very friendly.

Er
Review №62

Beautiful treasure! Be patient & make sure you have a parking reservation

E
Review №63

Definitely worth the price and visit. Go early or late to avoid crowds and screaming kids and enjoy the peace and quiet. The smell is amazing and air so fresh.

So
Review №64

The trees are just magnificent. This is the second time I have visited muir woods and still in awe with nature over here. There are some good hiking trails as well normal walkway for people who dont like to hike or cannot. But do keep in mind you need parking reservation here if you are driving or you can use shuttle services (closed during covid). Parking slots get sold out very quick so get that slot well in advance. You can purchase the entry ticket online as well as at the park.

Ra
Review №65

Absolutely beautiful, but a little over populated if you’re used to wilderness. The trails are short and you can explore the area in half a day. Kind of a pain to get to because you take the ferry from SF and then a long and windy bus ride (may cause nausea). Still definitely worth the visit. They sell snacks as well and have a nice gift shop.

Ke
Review №66

We did the Stinson Beach to Muir Woods hike on the Dipsea trail. It was a beautiful hike going through many different environments including redwoods, oaks, meadows and along the ocean. There is lots of elevation too so great workout. I think the total walk was about 12 miles. We liked starting in Stinson and ending there for lunch. Great hike!

Gr
Review №67

Such a great place. Visited here couple of times. Beautiful red wood forest and trails. Good for family hike or trail running. Must visit!!

Ju
Review №68

Loved this place. It was rainy and wet but a great walk! There is lots to see. Nor cell service so download the map before you go in.

Du
Review №69

The trees were beautiful and the wildlife was really cool. We saw wild deer and turkeys. I did feel like it was a little bit of a tourist trap though. You have to buy parking passes ahead of time just to get in. After going to Sequoia national Park and Yosemite national park; the trees at Muir Woods seemed little in comparison. Still for being so close to San Francisco it was really cool!

Pe
Review №70

Incredible!!! Limited parking, if you go on the weekends, get there early. This is another stunningly beautiful part of Marin County to go hiking. A popular spot for tourist.

Su
Review №71

Nice to see tall trees which are 600 to 800 years old. Preserved very well. Interesting to read history of Muir woods and its curator who started it. Gift shop sells variety of products connected to Muir woods. The tree leaves dipped in gold are worth buying as souvenirs and pendants.

Mi
Review №72

Beautiful, peaceful, clean and quiet. Get here early on off days to enjoy a scenic walk amidst rhe redwoods.

Br
Review №73

An otherworldly experience, walking through these ancient giants. Make sure to make a reservation!

Da
Review №74

Stunningly beautiful Park. Very easy walk if you keep to the designated trail and many more options if you want more difficult hikes. Definitely worth going to, but I would advise getting a National Parks Pass if you have two or more adults.

Wi
Review №75

Awesome Trails, cool gift shop and Amazing Redwood Trees

Di
Review №76

Great spot. Make reservations. Show up early.

co
Review №77

Very pleasant experience, quiet and serene the entire time we were there.

Am
Review №78

We loved hiking here. It is a one of a kind experience. We reserved afternoon parking and were able to park close to the visitor center. It looked like sometimes the parking is pretty far out, my guess would be in the morning. My son was in awe of the giant trees. I highly recommend this park! ️

Al
Review №79

For a person who isnt huge on nature stuff, this place is worth the visit. Stunning views of a beautiful forest. Air as clean as it should be, refreshing for the soul and mind. Reasonable loop hike...say an hour or two depending on your pace. Man made trail so you dont walk through the woods. Easy for almost anyone. Highly recommend!

Ly
Review №80

Wonderful family outing. Safe trails. Gives you a real education about the RedWood trees and forest. Good parking . Call ahead to reserve your pass. Good clean restrooms both before entering toe park and inside the park. Handicap parking near entrance.

Sa
Review №81

The towering redwoods are like the walls if a cathedral.

Ab
Review №82

A very Serene park and easy to find isolated trails.

Ki
Review №83

Great place, only thing was I didnt see any fairies!! (Yet)

A
Review №84

Just go!!! You will not be disapointed! Perfect for a day or even a afternoon, could spend multiple days here hiking around. There are trails for all skill levels, family and kid friendly, Easy parking but annoying that you have to arrive right now inbetween a certain time window (which is 30 minutes) example parking window 10 to 10:30 if you arrive arrive after parking window you will not get to park and will not be refunded made our morning a little stressful trying to make sure we arrived right in that window you come early they will turn you away you have to wait for your specific window, access to restrooms were easy. They have a place to buy lunch and snacks, drinking fountains located throughout park. Only complaint besides the parking window is that I wish your entrance fee was for a few days to the park kinda like Yosemite but there is no reentry not even on same day once you leave the park you would have to pay entrence fee again.Oh and no cellphone reception in park. Right now parking reservations are required and must be purchased in advance.

Se
Review №85

Park fee is too expensive. $15 per person +8 dollars per car fee. There’s no such a park charging for regular redwoods around the bay area. Park ranger was absolutely unfriendly. He was harassing us when we were trying to leave the park at the parking lot. It drove by about 10 feet away and flashed his headlights plus Police lights on top to tell us leave the park. He could just talk to us and we were about to leave anyway. Park entrance is free after six. I would go at 4 PM and hang out until around Entrance time and would enter at six just for free. View the image to see what you pay for 2 adults.

Di
Review №86

Always a beautiful park to visit. Right now there is limited entry and you need to purchase online.

Lu
Review №87

You want to go for a long walk, this is the place. I love it kids have fun and you can do some cardio️.

As
Review №88

This place was absolutely breathtaking. It was so surreal to hear nothing but nature and quiet in the heart of San Francisco. The woods were very well kept, the trails were clean and well defined. The workers were all knowledgeable and kind. I would definitely go back.

An
Review №89

We were late there. We reached at 7.30 and it was not crowded. We missed the gift shop as it crossed 7pm. This place will close at 8pm. worth visiting once. Park is full of redwoods and nicely arranged. Walkways are really good. Didnt get much time to explore this place. You should take care of your parking before, if you are planning to visit this place

Ks
Review №90

Gorgeous redwood park. Lots of hike options- some stay in the forest, and some lead to a summit with great views! More pricey for one-time visits than the state parks, but its worth it. The summit in the pictures shown takes less than an hour to get to.

my
Review №91

BEAUTIFUL! Get the annual national park pass- so worth it and valid at every national park and monument.

je
Review №92

This is a cool place to go and get out into nature and leave the city behind. There are some easy hikes and some longer ones as well they have bathrooms and even some spots to fill up water bottles along the way. Great place to take your family and friends and see the red Woods.

Lu
Review №93

Ok so probably against the recommendation of the park staff we went off trail for like 3 hours and probably had one of the coolest adventures of our lives. So incredibly fun can’t wait to go back and explore some more. Watch out for slippery rocks though haha. If your in cali coating this is a must do.

Wi
Review №94

Very beautiful and crisp! The cool air was truly a fresh breath of air. The tall redwoods were a sight and amazing to be next to. Definitely coming back to do more trails! Afterwards, we went to Muir beach. Such a pretty sight to just relax during sunset.

Jo
Review №95

Great hike, if you take an uber/Lyft make sure you planned ahead a ride back.

Va
Review №96

Could hear the PEACEFULNESS and take great pictures.

Pa
Review №97

Parking is an issue but plenty of trails to choose from easy to challenging.

Ry
Review №98

Forever one of my favorite places! If youre a hiker, I highly recommend hiking into the Monument via Dipsea trail for some truly amazing sights! The place isnt terrible huge nor technical so hiking in gives you that extra exercise.

Mi
Review №99

They implemented an one way path as well as timed entry (via parking reservation system). This, it feels safe to visit. There are two public restrooms. One inside the park near a gift shop looks cleaner.

Li
Review №100

Its redwoods, its pretty if youre into that kind of thing. Dont forget to make reservations before you arrive.

Information
100 Photos
100 Comments
4.8 Rating
  • Address:Mill Valley, CA 94941, United States
  • Site:https://nps.gov/muwo/index.htm
  • Phone:+1 415-561-2850
Categories
  • National park
  • Park
  • Tourist attraction
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible car park:Yes
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance:Yes
Amenities
  • Good for kids:Yes
  • Public toilet:Yes
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