Canopy, Panoramic, Redwood Trail, Sun, Dipsea Trail Loop

Mill Valley, California

4.7/5

based on 23 reviews

Save

View all 26 photos

All 26 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

4.31 miles

Elevation Gain

1145 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Katch Silva

Experience the humbling beauty of these magnificent redwoods. Muir Woods is a perfect trip for families and out-of-town guests with multiple loops and hiking options for groups of all fitness levels.

While there are other, less crowded redwood groves in the Bay Area, Muir Woods National Monument is easily one of the best. It is a beautifully maintained site, with wooden footpaths meandering between towering redwoods that are between 600 – 800 years old. It’s home to some true giants, with its tallest trees reaching over 250 ft in height.

Muir Woods contains 6 miles of trails (see trail map), and there are multiple options for those looking for a good hike. There are several loops along the canyon walls that you can choose from, as well as hikes that extend into surrounding Mount Tamalpais State Park. A popular choice is the 4.5 mile Muir Woods Tourist Club Loop, which starts at the entrance to the national monument: Canopy Trail > Panoramic Trail > Redwood Trail > Sun Trail > Dipsea Trail > parking area. Pick up a trail map at the entrance and explore.

Regardless of what you choose to do, this place will leave you with that humbling, awe-inspiring feeling that you typically only find in nature’s most remote corners.

Check the Muir Woods website for latest fees and tips for planning your visit. Parking now requires a permit, which you can reserve at gomuirwoods.com. The Visitor Center features nice restrooms, a café, and a gift shop.

Inside Tip: This is an extremely popular destination (we’re talking tour buses), so plan on getting there right when the park opens (8:00am), and before the Visitor Center opens (9:00am). Bring cash and simply place the park fees in the self-service entrance…and enjoy a much less crowded experience.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Download GPX File

Features

Photography

Hiking

Bathrooms

Family Friendly

Forest

Scenic

Reviews

Andy

Canopy, Panoramic, Redwood Trail, Sun, Dipsea Trail Loop

11/23/20

Really big trees. The best but very crowded park to view redwoods. Would not recommend during the pandemic

5.0

Jennifer Carr

Canopy, Panoramic, Redwood Trail, Sun, Dipsea Trail Loop

11/23/20

Muir Woods is beautiful park, but it is incredibly crowded. The redwood trees are impressive and if you can hike a longer trail, you might be able to get away from the crowds.

3.0

Laura Hill

Canopy, Panoramic, Redwood Trail, Sun, Dipsea Trail Loop

07/08/20

These trees are breathtaking - this is a photographers dream. I was able to visit with my mom, but would love to spend more than just a few hours there. Hoping to come back with my hubby! Reservations required, make sure to check ahead on any new regulations.

5.0

Natalie F

Canopy, Panoramic, Redwood Trail, Sun, Dipsea Trail Loop

07/04/20

I went before shuttle and reservations were required. We got there quite early and didn't have too much of a hassle with parking. Muir is a WI guy, so he has a soft spot in my heart! Beautiful park! The way the light shines through these tall, lumbering trees is something else!

4.0

Mike Painter

Canopy, Panoramic, Redwood Trail, Sun, Dipsea Trail Loop

02/21/18

Beginning early in 2018, all visitors must make advance reservations to park at Muir Woods or to take the weekend & holiday shuttle. Go to https://gomuirwoods.com for details.

5.0

Skyler Hardy

Canopy, Panoramic, Redwood Trail, Sun, Dipsea Trail Loop

01/10/17

I have hiked around Muir Woods National Monument several times. It is a place I would suggest a visit to, and a place I will go to again!

5.0

Explorer

Shalee Blackmer

Explorer

Canopy, Panoramic, Redwood Trail, Sun, Dipsea Trail Loop

01/05/17

Muir Woods is absolutely beautiful. The park isn't that big and can easily be explored in a few hours. If you are visiting during high tourist season be prepared for a lot of crowds and full parking.

4.0

17ce7d5c57d087d780bd3e73fef67f37

Canopy, Panoramic, Redwood Trail, Sun, Dipsea Trail Loop

11/10/16

John Muir said it right and the most beautiful small universe can be found in the redwoods at Muir Woods National Monument. The towering trees will leave you in dumbfounded awe (trees are so cool, please learn about the red woods). Spend time, and I mean real time, here and encounter the beauty.

5.0

Gene Reyes

Canopy, Panoramic, Redwood Trail, Sun, Dipsea Trail Loop

08/22/16

Such a calming treasure along the Pacific Coast. The short drive from the city is one of the things that makes this place the perfect weekend getaway.

5.0

Janelle

Canopy, Panoramic, Redwood Trail, Sun, Dipsea Trail Loop

08/02/16

An amazing experience

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Dipsea Trail

The Dipsea Race is the 2nd oldest foot race in the US. The race is named after the Dipsea Inn at the end of the trail at Stinson Beach. The good news is that you can enjoy this scenic trail and its sweeping ocean views at your leisure. The bad news is that the race is only one-way. If you choose, your leg can be out-and-back for a total of 15 miles. Ok, so maybe you don't have to do the full 15...

Steep Ravine Trail via Pantoll Station

The trailhead Pantoll Station is easy to find on GPS and there are friendly rangers there as well to answer questions.Maps: Paper map are available at the trailhead Pantoll Station in Marin, CA. For a moderate hike, I suggest going the one and a half miles down the trail to the ladder and return. There will be downhill switchbacks getting there and uphill on the way back. It's three miles ro...

Camp at Mt. Tam's Pantoll Campground

Need an escape from SF, but can't seem to find an available campground, then head to Pantoll Campground in Mount Tamalpais State Park. If you get there early on friday (or even better Thursday afternoon), you should be able to lock down one of these first-come, first-serve campgrounds. Each of the 16 sites is equipped with a fire pit, and bbq grill. The campground provides easy access to the St...

Dipsea Trail - Steep Ravine Loop

This is definitely a worthwhile short hike, with views of the Bay Area, Marin Headlands, Golden Gate, and the San Mateo coastline. It's a 3.8 mile loop which takes you through forests of Redwoods and out to the coastline, even above the clouds on a lucky day. The trailhead begins at the Pantoll Ranger Station: Follow Panoramic Hwy from Hwy 1 to the junction of Panoramic Hwy and Pantoll Road. Y...

Bootjack Campground to Muir Woods

Getting permits into Muir Woods can be hard, but if you want to work for it, there's a much better way to visit the National Monument. To do this loop into Muir Woods National Monument, first drive to the Bootjack Parking Area in Mt. Tamalpais State Park. The Bootjack Parking Area should be found easily in any Google Maps or Apple Maps search. Please note, the Bootjack Parking area has an $8...

Camp at Bootjack Campground in Mount Tamalpais State Park

Bootjack Campground is located within California's Mount Tamalpais State Park. There are a couple of campsites within the park, but if you are driving on the Panoramic Highway from Mill Valley, this will be the first campground you pass. The fee is $25 fee to camp, but they have bathrooms and running water. There is a total of 11 campsites which are first-come-first-served and tent only. You'l...

Canopy, Panoramic, Redwood Trail, Sun, Dipsea Trail Loop

Details

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Dipsea Trail

Steep Ravine Trail via Pantoll Station

Camp at Mt. Tam's Pantoll Campground

Dipsea Trail - Steep Ravine Loop

Bootjack Campground to Muir Woods

Camp at Bootjack Campground in Mount Tamalpais State Park

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

Mobile Apps