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

Mill Valley, California

4.7/5
based on 23 reviews

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.

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Features

Photography
Hiking
Bathrooms
Family Friendly
Forest
Scenic

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

this place is so beautiful and filled with life, it's not much of a hike, more of a walk but it's still very very nice

Spectacularly beautiful, however EPICALLY crowded. These trees demand a sort of decorum, but anytime there's a crowd there will be noise and people being disrespectful of the trees. But it's still worth seeing.

Leave No Trace

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

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