Questions about visiting Muir Woods National Monument

[EMHDad]

We are taking a cross country trip to San Fran this summer. We want to go to Muir Woods Nation Monument. I have a few questions for someone in the know to help my planning...
1. We know you have to buy a parking pass ahead of time. We are planning on driving 7.5 hours that day and stopping at muir woods around 3:30pm before going into San fran. The website says there is a 30 minute arrival window. How strict is this arrival window?
2. Any tips and tricks on the experience and place?

 

[mom2rtk]

Ugh, I hate these timed entries at national parks and such.

 

[georgina]

this is happening all over as parks and tourist places are overrun with people.

Can’t help with Muir Woods, but I am going through something similar with Stonehenge. I am going to book a time a half hour later than I think I need because for there it says you may not get in if you are over a half hour late. If all the time slots after you are booked up, it could be tough. Not sure if there is a park service number you can call?

there is the possibility that later afternoon may be less busy. It has been 8 years since I was at Muir Woods but I remember it as a peaceful, almost spiritual place.

 

[Colleen27]

Muir Woods has been doing this for years, so I would think they've gotten more of the bugs worked out than other parks where timed entry is a post-pandemic change. A google search might even turn up some experiences with arriving outside the window. The problem there isn't overcrowding so much as very, very, VERY limited parking for a park in such close proximity to a major population center.

I'm not sure how strict they are with the parking window, but I do know there's some wiggle room because a sloooow coffee stop made us about 5min late and we didn't have any problems. We were there first thing in the morning, though, when the lot was just filling for the first time. I'm not sure if they'd tend to be less strict in the afternoon when fewer people are arriving or more strict depending on turnover rates in the lot. It is rough to try to plan, but the place is well worth the hassle. It is incredibly beautiful and far more peaceful than I expected. It is also fairly small, so I don't think there really are many tips or tricks to share other than making sure to get a map and trail updates when you first enter because some of the trails do close if rain/mud has destabilized the slopes they occupy.

 

[Sinder]

IIRC when we went years ago we had to reserve parking. I don't know how strict they are but I would plan on making it in that 30 minute window. I'm sure it's possible to be allowed to park after but I wouldn't take the chance if you definitely want to visit.
It is a very nice walk through the woods, take your time and enjoy the nature and scenery is the only advice I have.

 

[tcufrog]

Muir Woods is absolutely incredible. I highly recommend visiting there. If you can, go on a park ranger tour.

 

[Walt's Dream]

I loved going to Muir Woods! We'd go every year during the ladybug migration - they covered all the low wooden fences. Amazing. If I were you, I would just amble along taking in the peacefulness, grandeur, and beauty. Take your time!

 

[China Expat]

Just walk on the wooden paths through the trees. You will see everything! No need for tricks.

 

[disneychrista]

The only time I tried to go, maybe 8 years ago, I don’t remember any timed parking. What I do remember was the lot was full as well as any parking in the side of the road for a mile in either direction. I ended up never getting to see it. It is on the list of places I’d like to go still.

 

[bcla]

I used to go to Muir Woods often when an annual pass (allowing all the occupants in the same car - basically on the honor system) or 4 adults entry at one time - was only $20. Great bargain even when individual entry was $3. A no brainer when individual entry was $7. However, finding parking was always horrendous. Sometimes I'd hang around the main lot and find someone leaving, but I've parked as far away as a half mile and had to walk in after dropping off the rest of my group, which would wait for me.

However, they've closed off parking on the side of the road, in conjunction with Marin County. But it is possible to

The problem hasn't really been that Muir Woods was too crowded, but that parking has been a nightmare since the 1990s. No reservation is needed for those who bicycle or walk in. Or I believe just being dropped off by car, taxi, etc. When my knees were in better shape, I hiked in from Stinson Beach. I think it's free to enter if coming in from a direction without an entrance station. But at that time I had a pass anyways (the regular interagency one) and I just flashed it when I headed back to my car through the front entrance of Muir Woods.

 

[bcla]

Muir Woods is absolutely incredible. I highly recommend visiting there. If you can, go on a park ranger tour.

It's fine and in a relatively convenient location.

What it's got going for it would be that it's really the last old growth stand of redwoods in the San Francisco Bay Area, so it's convenient for those already visiting San Francisco. However, there are old growth stands up and down the coast from southern Oregon to Big Sur that are equally impressive, as well as many that have taller trees and lower crowds. For instance, when we visited Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad near Santa Cruz, the parking lot is right next to Henry Cowell Redwood State Park.

My bucket list includes visiting Redwood National and State Parks. They have redwoods taller than 300 ft (some approaching 400 ft), while in Muir Woods none are taller than maybe 250 ft. I asked once, and was told by a ranger that it's possibly due to genetics of the local trees compared to those up further north - that it's not likely due to age by that they've nearly maxed out on size.

 

[SueInBoston]

I love the DIS, it knows exactly what my needs are before I even post...lol. My boyfriend just told me last night that he has a business trip to SF at end of month. I was just researching to see if I should tag along and make a long weekend trip and Muir Woods is top on the list

 

[tcufrog]

If you're going to SF, I recommend taking the cable car to Chinatown and visiting the cable car museum. You can see how the cables move underground. The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is great as well. If you want to visit Alcatraz, see if you can get night tour tickets. Those go quickly and are snatched up early.

 

[SueInBoston]

If you're going to SF, I recommend taking the cable car to Chinatown and visiting the cable car museum. You can see how the cables move underground. The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is great as well. If you want to visit Alcatraz, see if you can get night tour tickets. Those go quickly and are snatched up early.

Thanks for the tips. Sadly airfare is out of control and budget, almost $1200 !!