Muir Woods – Best Time to Visit & Top Redwood Hikes

Muir Woods National Monument is one of the most beautiful redwood forests in California — and only 30 minutes from San Francisco. The combination of mountains, sea air, ancient trees, and well maintained trails makes it a true hikers paradise.

It’s a day‑use park (no camping) and receives over 1 million visitors per year, so planning ahead is essential. Most people come to see the coast redwoods, the tallest trees on Earth, but the monument is also home to a rich diversity of ferns, mosses, lichens, birds, and wildlife.

A Forest of Giants — Redwood Facts

Redwoods in Muir Woods are typically 600–800 years old, with some exceeding 1,000 years. They grow among fallen logs and decaying wood, creating a thriving ecosystem.

These trees are incredibly resilient:

• Their red pigment (tannin) protects them from termites and fungi
• Their bark can be up to 30 cm (12 inches) thick, insulating them from fire
• Their roots are shallow (1.8–3 m / 6–10 ft) but spread as wide as the tree is tall, interlocking with neighboring trees for stability
• They can survive storms, floods, drought, and even major fires

Millions of years ago, redwoods grew across Asia, Europe, and Greenland. Today, only 4% of old‑growth redwoods remain, confined to a narrow 30‑mile coastal strip from Central California to Southern Oregon.

Fog is essential for their survival — it can add up to 10 inches of moisture each summer. However, coastal fog has decreased by 30%, making conservation even more important.

Accessibility — A Forest for Everyone

One of the most wonderful aspects of Muir Woods is its accessibility. A well‑maintained boardwalk and paved trail lead through the forest for more than one mile (up to Bridge 4). Everyone is able to experience the fascinating redwoods.

This makes the park ideal for:

• wheelchairs
• mobility‑impaired visitors
• families with pushchairs
• elderly visitors

Best Hikes in Muir Woods (more below)

• Main Trail Loop — Easy, iconic redwoods, wheelchair‑friendly to Bridge 3
• Canopy View – Lost Trail Loop — Quiet forest, 300 m elevation
• Ben Johnson – Dipsea Loop — Best views of Mt. Tamalpais & the Pacific

Best Time to Visit Muir Woods

The most magical times are early morning and late afternoon, when the crowds thin and the light filters softly through the towering trees. The atmosphere is so peaceful, especially when you can hear the bird song in the forest.

Spring in Muir Woods (March to May) is wonderfully lush, with fresh green ferns and a lively Redwood Creek flowing through the canyon. Temperatures stay mild, usually between 10–18°C (50–64°F), making it a comfortable time for hiking. It’s a popular season, especially during spring break, but the forest feels vibrant and full of life.

Summer (June to August) brings the warmest weather, with temperatures around 15–22°C (59–72°F). Morning fog often drifts through the redwoods, creating a mystical atmosphere before lifting later in the day. This is also the busiest time of year, and parking reservations sell out quickly, so early morning or late afternoon visits are essential to avoid the crowds.

Autumn (September to November) is one of the most beautiful seasons in Muir Woods. The light becomes softer and more golden, perfect for photography. Crowds begin to thin after mid‑October, although September and early October can be busy with school groups. Temperatures remain pleasant, usually 12–20°C (54–68°F), and the forest feels calm and peaceful.

Winter (December to February) is the quietest and most atmospheric time to visit. Fog, rain, and cool temperatures between 8–15°C (46–59°F) create a moody, almost mystical ambiance. Trails can be muddy, but the forest is wonderfully serene, and you may have long stretches of the redwood groves almost to yourself.

Overall, the best months for a balanced experience of good weather and fewer visitors are April, May, October, and November except holidays.

Avoiding Crowds & Parking (Updated 2026)

Muir Woods is extremely popular due to its proximity to San Francisco. From spring to fall, weekends can be very crowded.

How to avoid crowds

• Visit mid‑week
• Choose foggy or colder days
• Arrive before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
• Avoid September/October school group hours

Parking Reservations Are Mandatory

You must reserve a timed parking slot at GoMuirWoods.com. Without a reservation, you will be turned away.

• No roadside parking
• No overflow parking
• Visitor Center opens at 9 a.m.
• Park hours: 8 a.m. to sunset

Shuttle Option

From late spring to early fall, the Muir Woods Shuttle is the easiest way to visit. A ranger once told us: “It takes away all the worries and headaches of driving and parking.”

Entrance Fee (2026)

• $15 per adult (age 16 and older)

• Children 15 and younger: free

The 3 Best Hikes in Muir Woods

1) Main Trail Loop – Easy, Accessible Redwood Walk

Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km) Time: 1–1.5 hours Difficulty: Easy Accessibility: Wheelchair & stroller friendly to Bridge 3

The Main Trail begins at the National Park Visitor Center and follows the tranquil Redwood Creek through the heart of the old‑growth forest. This is the most popular and most accessible walk in Muir Woods, perfect for families, visitors with limited mobility, for an easy but unforgettable redwood experience.

You can walk as far as Bridge 3, cross the creek, and return on the opposite side. This entire section is on a well‑maintained boardwalk and paved path, making it ideal for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Even this short stroll gives you a stunning impression of the ancient redwoods — the towering trunks, the filtered light, and the deep quiet of the canyon.

If you continue to Bridge 4, the path becomes a natural dirt trail and climbs gently uphill. This short ascent rewards you with a different perspective of the forest, offering views into the higher canopy and the older, more massive trees. From Bridge 4, you can loop back to the Visitor Center, completing a peaceful and scenic 2‑mile walk that takes no more than 1.5 hours.

2) Canopy View – Lost Trail Loop

Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km) Time: 2–3 hours Difficulty: Moderate

The Canopy View – Lost Trail Loop is the perfect choice if you want to escape the crowds and experience the quieter sections of Muir Woods. The trail begins near the Main Trail and immediately starts climbing through a forest of Douglas‑fir and redwoods. Over the next stretch, you gain roughly 300 meters (1,000 ft) in elevation, but the ascent is steady and well‑maintained.

As you climb higher, the forest opens up and you begin to understand why this route is called Canopy View. The trail leads you above the main redwood grove, offering glimpses into the upper canopy and the layered green ridges of Mount Tamalpais. It is much quieter here than at the busy boardwalk below.

After reaching the high point, the path connects to the Lost Trail, a quiet, atmospheric descent through deep forest. The air becomes cooler from the shade of the redwoods, and the are taller again as you drop back into the canyon. This loop is ideal for hikers who want a deeper look into the dense forest to the high ridges above.

3) Ben Johnson – Dipsea Loop

Distance: 4 miles (6.4 km) Time: 3–4 hours Difficulty: Moderate

The Ben Johnson – Dipsea Loop is one of the most rewarding half‑day hikes in Muir Woods, combining quiet redwood groves with sweeping views over Mt. Tamalpais, San Francisco, and even the Pacific Ocean on clear days.

The route begins along the Main Trail toward Bridge 4, where you leave the boardwalk and start climbing the Ben Johnson Trail. This ascent takes you through a beautiful mix of redwoods and Douglas‑fir, with the forest gradually opening as you gain elevation. The higher you climb, the more expansive are the views — an absolut contrast to the atmosphere of the lower canyon.

At the top, the trail connects to the Dipsea Trail, a classic Mount Tam route known for its coastal vistas. This section offers some of the best scenery in the area with panoramic views.

The loop eventually descends back toward Muir Woods. In winter, during the Coho Salmon spawning season, the footbridge over Redwood Creek may be closed, so it’s always worth checking with the Visitor Center before starting the hike.

This is a true highlight of the Muir Woods area.

The History of Muir Woods

The preservation of Muir Woods is a remarkable story of vision, generosity, and determination. Thanks to the local businessman William Kent and his wife Elizabeth Thacher Kent, these ancient redwoods remain uncut and protected for future generations. The couple purchased the land in 1905, recognizing its extraordinary ecological value at a time when most coastal redwood forests were being logged at an alarming rate.

Only two years later, the North Coast Water Company attempted to seize the grove to build a reservoir. Rather than risk losing the forest, the Kents made a clever decision: they donated the land to the federal government, but only under the condition that it would receive permanent protection as a National Monument.

In 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt accepted the gift and officially proclaimed the area Muir Woods National Monument. William Kent requested that the monument be named after his friend John Muir, the influential naturalist, writer, and early advocate for the preservation of America’s wild places. Muir was deeply moved by the honor, and the grove has carried his name ever since.

Today, Muir Woods stands as a testament to the Kents’ foresight and Muir’s lifelong dedication to protecting the nature — a sanctuary of towering redwoods close to San Francisco.

Traveling Highway 101?

Here are more of my favorite stops along the route:

👉 Explore all my Highway 101 guides here

Best Accommodations Close to Muir Woods

There are several charming hotels and lodges near Muir Woods that make an excellent base for exploring the Bay Area. Staying in Mill Valley or Sausalito is noticeably quieter than staying in San Francisco, yet you’re still only a short drive from the Golden Gate Bridge and close to the redwoods.

My personal favorite is the Mill Valley Inn, a boutique hotel with a warm, intimate atmosphere. It’s only 3 miles from Muir Woods, and just a five‑minute walk from shops and restaurants in downtown Mill Valley. What we loved most were the redwoods growing right in the hotel’s garden, creating a peaceful, forest‑like setting.

If you prefer a calm base close to nature but still want easy access to San Francisco, Mill Valley is the perfect choice.

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