Muir Woods

Explore a magnificent old-growth forest in Northern California.

This National Monument is actually a forest located on Mount Tamalpais, about 12 miles North of San Francisco. The Muir Woods are in a canyon not too far from the Pacific Coast, and it is also a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It is open all year round and requires an entrance fee for people ages 16 and older.

The Muir Woods became a national monument in 1908 in an effort to protect and preserve the coastal redwood forest and the old-growth in these woods. What gives this forest a unique twist is that there is a permanent fog here due to how moist the ground is. If you can see the treetops through the mist, you will find that the tallest tree is 258 feet tall, and the oldest tree discovered here is 1,200 years old. There is no cell phone service at or around the monument, but you can take pictures while in the forest. If you arrive before the tour buses get there, you can enjoy the serene atmosphere as you explore the Muir Woods National Monument.