Muir Woods National Monument

Overview

Muir Woods National Monument protects a primeval coast redwood forest just 19 km north of San Francisco. The towering old-growth redwoods, some over 1,000 years old and 79 meters tall, create a cathedral-like atmosphere of deep shade and profound silence.

Highlights

• Cathedral Grove: A solemn grove of the forest's tallest and oldest trees, many over 250 feet tall and 800+ years old.
• Bohemian Grove: Named for the exclusive Bohemian Club, this grove contains some of the park's most impressive specimens.
• Redwood Creek: The creek running through the forest is a spawning ground for coho salmon and steelhead trout (visible November–March).

History

Saved from logging by congressman William Kent and his wife Elizabeth in 1908, who donated the land and asked President Theodore Roosevelt to declare it a national monument. Named for naturalist John Muir, who called it "the best tree-lovers monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world."

Visitor Tips

• Reservations Required: Parking reservations (recreation.gov) are mandatory and often sell out. Alternatively, take the Marin Transit Route 66 shuttle from Sausalito.
• Early Morning: The forest is most magical — and least crowded — in the first hour after opening.
• Duration: 1.5–3 hours.