I became an admirer of John Muir during high school, learning about his conservationist efforts along the west coast state of California. While I had not visited until my mid-twenties, I loved the idea of preserving our country’s parks on a national and state level. On a business trip to the San Francisco Bay, I set out for the Muir Woods National Monument to see for myself, the extraordinary Redwoods in Marin County, It was a quick stop on my way to Point Reyes National Seashore and a most enjoyable one.
President Theodore Roosevelt declared Muir Woods a national monument in 1908. The 295 acres was donated by a private family becoming the 7th National Monument of the United States. Today it is a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area offering 6 miles of trails and is a popular location for birdwatching.
I began my visit with a stop at the Visitor’s Center to pick up a park map with detail of the trails. Cars are not permitted within the monument so I parked my rental car in the lot. Within minutes I found the trailhead to one of the paved trails and laced up my boots.
The redwood trees are home to several species of mammals and birds to include spotted owls, pileated woodpeckers, chipmunks, grey squirrels, bears and bats. I continued along the trail in anticipation in hopes of catching of glimpse of one or two, preferably a bear or a bat.
Muir Woods National Monument was a well-needed stop on my way traveling north and I thoroughly enjoyed the visit. If the owners of the land had not dedicated the acreage to preserve for years to come, I wonder what this land could have been? A precious resource and solitude for future visitors, Muir Woods represents the wishes of the most well-known of all conservationists, John Muir. A refuge for both humans and animals alike.
Have you had the opportunity to visit Muir Woods National Monument? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my short visit to Muir Woods National Monument and wishing you many Happy Travels.
What to See and What to Do:
Muir Woods National Monument
1 Muir Woods Rd.
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Telephone: 415 561 2850
- Admission Fee: $15 per person 16 years of age and older; Children, ages 15 years and under are free.
- Hours: Open daily yet the times of operation vary by season.
- Amenities: Restrooms, ADA accessible, café, park maps, Visitor’s Center
- Length of Visit: 1-2 hours
- Tips for Your Visit: Reservations are now required for all visitors who enter the park by car. You can book your tickets in advance online. Ther are two bathrooms within the park (at entrance and near the gift shop/café. Pets and picnicking are not permitted. There is no cellular service at Muir Woods.
Where to Stay:
San Anselmo Inn
339 San Anselmo Avenue
San Anselmo, CA 92960
Telephone: 415 455 5366
Where to Eat:
Piazza D’Angelo Restaurant
22 Miller Avenue
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone: 415 388 2000
What to Read:
- Our National Park by John Muir
- Muir Woods National Monument, by John Hart
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