Muir Woods National Monument: Planning a Day Trip from San Francisco

Muir Woods is a redwood forest reached from San Francisco through Marin County, so sort out your transport and entry arrangements before setting out. The forest was donated to the public by William and Elizabeth Kent in 1908, and President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed it a national monument under the Antiquities Act. It takes its name from naturalist John Muir.

If public transport is part of your San Francisco plans, the city’s public transport guide can help you get oriented before you arrange the trip to Marin County.

For a feel for the neighborhood where you’re starting, the Nob Hill neighborhood guide covers the area around Nob Hill.

Reserve your parking or shuttle spot before traveling to Muir Woods: reservations are required for all personal vehicles and shuttle riders, and their fees are separate from the entrance pass. The National Park Service directs visitors to GoMuirWoods.com for reservations and advance entrance-fee purchases; check the official site before you go.

If you drive a standard-sized vehicle, your parking reservation gives you a 30-minute arrival window, and you can stay as long as you like. For the shuttle, plan around its seasonal service from local ferry terminals to the park entrance.

It does not travel through the forest, and reservations are required. The usual pattern is service on holidays and weekends in summer; check the National Park Service’s booking and schedule information when planning your date.

Marin Transit Routes 61 and 61F stop at Panoramic Highway and Edgewood Avenue, 1.5 miles from the monument. Reaching the entrance from there involves a 3-mile round-trip hike with 800 feet of elevation loss and gain.

If you arrive by taxi or rideshare, you don’t need a parking reservation, but plan your return in advance: there is no cell service at the monument for arranging a ride. The visitor center has limited Wi-Fi and a pay phone.

Prices and times checked November 2026.

Accessible boardwalk trails are available at Muir Woods, and the paved Redwood Creek Trail, also called the Main Trail, offers short, medium, and long loops.

• Bridge 2 loop: 0.5 miles, about 30 minutes.
• Bridge 3 loop: 1 mile, about 1 hour.
• Bridge 4 loop: 2 miles, about 1.5 hours.

For a longer outing, other trails extend through Muir Woods and Mount Tamalpais State Park. Choose your route based on the time and distance you want to walk, then allow for the return to the visitor center.

Muir Woods is open every day, including holidays, except when severe weather or hazardous conditions cause a closure; hours vary seasonally. The visitor center opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes 30 minutes before the park. The National Park Service provides current conditions and visitor guidance, so check its official information before your trip.

Pets are not permitted in Muir Woods, and bicycles are not permitted on its trails. The National Park Service points to nearby alternatives where pets are allowed, including Muir Beach and some Marin Headlands trails.

Do you need a reservation for Muir Woods?

Yes, for parking or shuttle travel. Those reservations are separate from the entrance pass.

Who needs an entrance pass?

Visitors age 16 and older need a pass. Children under 16 do not need one; the standard pass costs $15 per person.

Does the shuttle go through the redwood forest?

No. It runs from local ferry terminals to the park entrance, and you explore the forest on foot.

Can you bring a dog or bicycle onto the trails?

No. Pets and bicycles are not permitted in Muir Woods.