Bohemian Grove

Bohemian Grove is a lovely section of John Muir woods that provides opportunities to learn more about the health and ecology of the redwoods. You can see burned redwoods that survived a long-ago fire, redwood burls and a nurse log,

Cathedral Grove

Cathedral Grove is a silent preserve and home to the tallest, oldest redwoods at Muir Woods. Consider quiet contemplation as you make your way through this part of the woods.

Civilian Conservation Corp at Muir Woods

In the 1930s, the Great Depression loomed over America. In 1933, recently elected President Franklin D. Roosevelt created several new agencies, including the most successful, the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC). Across the country, this program employed tens of thousands of unemployed and unskilled young men from various backgrounds, including: the Junior Enrollees, (young men ages 18 - 26), Reservation Native Americans, local men with forestry experience, and over 25,000 ol

Fallen Log

This redwood fell naturally and has begun decaying on the forest floor. This is an example of what's known as a "nurse log," providing nutrients and shelter to seedlings. When logging occurs and the trees are removed, this cycle is disrupted. Since trees have never been logged at Muir Woods, the natural ecological process goes uninterrupted.

• Heading south along the Bohemian Grove Trail, a downed redwood lies on both sides of the trail. This tree fell on its own, and a section has been cut to clear the path. The tree has begun the long process of decomposition. Touch the log to feel along its smooth cut edge and softening bark.<br /><br />Touch the screen to hear the sound of the tree as it fell. <br />

Fern Creek Trailhead

Fern Creek is the first section of a loop around the Alice Eastwood campground and an access point to Mount Tamalpais State Park. This area, like much of Muir Woods, is home to many animal friends. Despite living in all areas of the woods, from the forest floor to high up in the canopy, most inhabitants are hard to spot, so keep your peepers peeled!

Founders Grove

This redwood grove includes some of the woods' biggest trees, including the Pinchot tree. The health of the towering redwoods depends on the complex soils of the forest floor, a product of fungal decay and recycling of low greenery, understory trees and the redwoods themselves.

Muir Woods Arch

Muir Woods Bridge 2

Bridge 2 is a highly-photographed spot in the forest and marks the mid-point of the .5-mile loop along the main trail.

Muir Woods Main Trail

Muir Woods' main trail begins at the visitor center and follows Redwood Creek on both sides of the stream. Large redwood trees line this trail from the very beginning. Though a level, easy stroll, the walk can be shortened by crossing at the second or third bridge to return. The path consists of firm surfaces, a mixture of wooden boardwalk, asphalt paving, and packed native soil.

Muir Woods National Monument

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL VEHICLES AND SHUTTLE RIDERS For parking and shuttle information and reservations go to GoMuirWoods.com or call 1-800-410-2419. The new reservation system will improve visitor experience and enhance habitat protection. Learn more about the new reservation system.

• Muir Woods National Monument<br />649 words.<br /><br />The entrance to Muir Woods National Monument is located along a sharp bend on Muir Woods Road. Limited accessible parking is available just to the east of the Visitor Center. Reservations are required. Please request an accessible parking space when you reserve.<br /><br />Facing west from the parking lot, the plaza is directly ahead of you. The plaza is an open space leading to the Visitor Center, ticket kiosk and entrance to the woods, all to the north. The Visitor Center is to the right of the ticket kiosk, and the entrance to the woods is a few feet further north behind both buildings. Bathrooms are located at the south west corner of the plaza, near the passenger drop off along Muir Woods Road.<br /><br />In the middle of the plaza is a bronze, three-dimensional tactile model of Muir Woods and the Redwood Creek Watershed. The plaza is lined with wooden benches around its perimeter. To the north, a large wooden sign marks the entrance to Muir Woods, and a lone redwood towers over the shorter canopy of Douglas firs that crowd out the sky. As you pass under the wooden sign the asphalt of the plaza becomes a boardwalk path.<br /><br />As you pass under the wooden entrance sign, you are immediately surrounded by a dense forest. The main section of Muir Woods is a 1.3 mile loop consisting of the Redwood Creek and Bohemian Grove Trails. The trails are a combination of wooden boardwalks and asphalt that circle around redwood groves and lead back to the Visitor Center and plaza. While you can take either trail to start, the loop is designed to begin with Redwood Creek Trail. From the entrance to the woods, Redwood Creek Trail is the path that forks slightly east, to the right.<br /><br />Along the Redwood Creek Trail, you will encounter the Muir Woods Cafe and gift shop, Redwood Creek, Founders Grove and Cathedral Grove. Four bridges cross over Redwood Creek from the Redwood Creek Trail. The first three link Redwood Creek Trail to Bohemian Grove Trail to the west. The fourth bridge leads up to the Hillside Trail. Take any of the first three bridges to the Bohemian Grove Trail in order to loop back to the Visitor Center and entrance.<br /><br />Beginning at the entrance sign to the woods, it is about a one tenth of a mile walk along Redwood Creek Trail to the Muir Woods Trading Company gift shop and cafe. A short series of stairs leads to the cafe and gift shop to the right of the trail. 75 feet further north, an accessible ramp to the right of the trail also provides access to the gift shop, cafe and bathrooms. The stairs and ramp lead to an outdoor patio. The cafe and gift shop are straight ahead, the bathrooms are to the left of the gift shop, which is left of the cafe. Left of the trail, directly opposite the junction that leads to the Muir Woods Trading Company is Bridge 1, which cuts west, or, to the left of Redwood Creek Trail.<br /><br />Continuing north about two tenths of a mile from the gift shop is Founders Grove, a wider section of the woods that features some of its largest redwoods. These coniferous giants have soft, pulpy bark with a reddish hue, which gives them their name. Park staff lead periodic talks on the history and ecology of Muir Woods in Founders Grove. <br /><br />Bridge 1 and Bridge 2 are two tenths of a mile apart. Bridge 2 and Bridge 3 are one tenth of a mile apart. Bridge 3 and Bridge 4 are half a mile apart. Bridge 3 is the final turnaround and connection between the Redwood Creek and Bohemian Grove Trails. Bridge 4 crosses over the creek and leads up to the Hillside Trail. A series of 21 wayside interpretive panels are arranged beginning in the plaza, along the loop trail, Cathedral Grove and the Bohemian Grove Trail.

Muir Woods Trading Company

Open daily 9:30 a.m. to 7;00 p.m Muir Woods Trading Company is your one-stop shop for souvenirs and a hot meal in the woods.

Redwood Creek Trail

Redwood Creek Trail is the main drag through Muir Woods, and connects to a host of other trails leading up the flanks of Mount Tamalpais. From here, you can link up with the Canopy View Trail, Hillside Trail, Fern Creek Trail, the Plevin Cut or the Ben Johnson Trail, and access state park, Marin County Park and Marin Municipal Water District open spaces.

Redwood Cross-Section

When this tree fell in 1930, this cross-section was put on display. The concentric rings of the tree reveal that it lived 1,021 years. Some redwoods live more than 2,000 years.

Muir Woods Visitor Center

• Muir Woods Visitor Center
• Visitors are required to check-in at the Visitor Center upon arriving at Muir Woods. Purchase entrance tickets or use your annual pass here for entrance fees, as well as receive a free map of the main trail of the park. You can also purchase annual passes, a detailed trail map of the surrounding area, and a variety of books and souvenirs. You can also pick up a free Junior Ranger booklet here, leave a comment card, or connect with ranger staff. Below are the hours for 2025:

• Muir Woods Birdwatching
• Birdwatching in Muir Woods

• Whale watch from Muir Beach Overlook
• Whale Watch from Muir Beach Overlook

• Hike the Main Trail at Muir Woods
• Visit the historic, infamous redwood forest at Muir Woods!

Muir Woods in a Hurry

Welcome to Muir Woods National Monument, a living testament to the endurance of nature and time. As you embark on this 0.5-mile journey through an old-growth coast redwood forest, prepare to step into a world where past, present, and future intertwine beneath a towering canopy. You'll encounter giants that have stood witness to centuries of change, experience the vibrant ecosystem they are part of today, and contemplate the role we all play in preserving this natural wonder for generation