When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Cool, damp, and green, with fog and drizzle common under the canopy.
Pack Rain shell, warm layer, and grippy shoes for slick boardwalk and dirt.
Summer
Mild and foggy at the coast, with the redwood canyon often 10 to 20 degrees cooler than the city.
Pack Warm layer even in July, plus the earliest reservation slot you can get.
Fall
Often the clearest, calmest weather of the year, with mild days and cool nights.
Pack Light layers, a midweek plan, and a booked parking or shuttle slot.
Winter
Wettest season, with high creek flow, dramatic green moss, and possible trail or road closures.
Pack Full rain gear, waterproof footwear, and flexibility for storm closures.
Top things to do
Main Trail and boardwalk loop
The flat, accessible loop along Redwood Creek past the tallest trees and Cathedral Grove. The reason most people come.
Hillside Trail
A short climb off the valley floor that lets you escape the busiest boardwalk crowds and look down through the canopy.
Dipsea, Ben Johnson, and Stapelveldt loop
A bigger climb into Mount Tamalpais terrain for hikers who want real mileage and a quieter forest.
Make Main Trail and boardwalk loop the timed anchor
Put the timed or highest-demand stop first, then keep the rest of the day close and low-friction. For one day in Muir Woods National Monument, time Main Trail and boardwalk loop first, then keep Hillside Trail and Dipsea, Ben Johnson, and Stapelveldt loop close enough that the visit still feels relaxed.
- 1Start with Main Trail and boardwalk loop: The flat, accessible loop along Redwood Creek past the tallest trees and Cathedral Grove. The reason most people come.
- 2Add Hillside Trail: A short climb off the valley floor that lets you escape the busiest boardwalk crowds and look down through the canopy.
- 3Use Dipsea, Ben Johnson, and Stapelveldt loop as the slower finish before leaving the area.
Plan your trip
Turn Muir Woods's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
2 quick tools, already seeded for Muir Woods National Monument. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Muir Woods National Monument packing list
0 of 13 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Muir Woods National Monument asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, Navigationmap, downloaded GPS, or a GPS watch, 3 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionHiking boots, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- Season checkLayers for conditionsMoisture-wicking base layers, Rain jacket
Checklist mode
13 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Muir Woods National Monument
A stable daypack is the one purchase that organizes water, layers, food, first aid, and the small safety margin.
We may earn a commission from links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
THE DAY-HIKE PICK
Osprey Talon 22
- Volume
- 22 L
- Weight
- 2 lb 1 oz (945 g)
- Back Panel
- AirScape foam with ventilation channels
- Hipbelt Pockets
- 2 zippered
- Hydration
- Compatible up to 3 L reservoir (sold separately)
- Warranty
- All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime repair or replace)
The Talon 22 is the daypack you see on the trail more than any other for good reason: it packs in a padded hipbelt, adjustable torso harness, and dual hipbelt pockets into a 22-liter package that handles loads up to 20 lb without complaint. Owners across hundreds of Amazon ratings consistently cite its adjustability and durability as standouts.
- Adjustable torso fit covers a wide range of body sizes
- Padded hipbelt and dual hipbelt pockets at this size are rare
- At 2 lb 1 oz it runs heavier than ultralight rivals for the same volume
Best for
Hikers who want a proven all-around daypack with solid load support, plenty of adjustment, and a warranty they can actually use.
Gear for Muir Woods
The buying guides that match what Muir Woods asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
There is no lodging or camping inside Muir Woods, and the monument closes at night. Most visitors stay in San Francisco or in Marin County towns like Mill Valley, Sausalito, and Larkspur, then drive in on a timed reservation. Campers should look to nearby Marin parks instead: Mount Tamalpais State Park has the closest developed and walk-in sites, and the Marin Headlands has additional options.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
There is no camping at Muir Woods. The reservation you must book is parking or shuttle.
Muir Woods does not have a campground and is day-use only, but every visitor arriving by vehicle or shuttle needs a paid parking or shuttle reservation. That booking, not a campsite, is the thing that sells out.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Parking and shuttle reservations open up to 90 days in advance at gomuirwoods.com or by phone at 1-800-410-2419.
- All vehicles must have a parking reservation, and there is no first-come parking on busy days.
- The Marin Transit shuttle requires its own reservation and is often the only option once parking sells out.
- The entrance fee is separate from the parking or shuttle reservation and can be added online or paid on arrival.
Where to book or verify
The official reservation system for parking and the Marin Transit shuttle, or call 1-800-410-2419.
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy page with current rates and pickup locations.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Mount Tamalpais State Park (nearby)
Details- Season
- Varies by campground; Pantoll has walk-in sites and Bootjack is seasonal.
- Sites
- Walk-in tent sites and the Steep Ravine cabins and environmental sites.
- The closest real camping to Muir Woods. Book early for weekends and summer.
Getting there and practical info
Plan the handoff from arrival to shuttle.
Parking, pedestrian entrances, and shuttle timing decide how calmly the first morning starts.
Getting there
Get to Muir Woods National Monument, then remove the first-morning friction.
- Nearest airport
- San Francisco (SFO) about 1 hour; Oakland (OAK) about 1 hour
- Access rhythm
- Park once, ride in
- Region
- California
Arrival note
Muir Woods sits about 12 miles north of San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County.
Car strategy
The access roads are narrow and the lots are small, which is why reservations are mandatory.
Shuttle access
Drive in on your reserved window, or take the Marin Transit shuttle from Sausalito or the Pohono park-and-ride to skip the parking problem entirely.
Pair this with lodging: sleep where the park transfer is simple, especially if your route needs an early start.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
California is the exception: the California Film Commission itself issues free permits for all state property, including state parks, beaches, and highways.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107
- Land
- Yes: you can photograph what is visible from public space in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a reservation for Muir Woods National Monument?
Yes. Everyone arriving by car or shuttle needs a paid parking or shuttle reservation through gomuirwoods.com. Reservations open up to 90 days ahead and routinely sell out, so book before you plan the rest of your day.
Can you camp at Muir Woods?
No. Muir Woods is day-use only with no campground, and it closes at night. The closest camping is at Mount Tamalpais State Park, reserved through ReserveCalifornia.
How much does it cost to visit Muir Woods?
The entrance fee is $15 per adult 16 and older, and children 15 and under are free. On top of that you pay for a parking reservation or a shuttle ticket, which are booked separately at gomuirwoods.com.
What should I wear at Muir Woods?
Bring a warm layer and a rain shell even in summer. The redwood canyon is often 10 to 20 degrees cooler than San Francisco and stays damp and foggy, and the boardwalk and dirt trails can be slick.