Our family recently escaped civilization somewhat and drove out to Muir Woods for the day. Although it’s only a couple hours from us it had been a few years since we had been there. It’s been interesting over the past year as we’ve visited units within the National Parks system (both old favorites and new places) to see how each location is handling the pandemic. I want to stress that at every place we’ve been to (7 National Parks or Monuments over the past 10 months) we have felt safe. And thanks to restricted numbers to allow for social distancing we’ve actually had an even better experience than previously in some cases. Keep reading to see how our experience visiting Muir Woods National Monument was and tips for taking your kids.
January 2021: Although Muir Woods National Monument is currently open there are some things to keep in mind. Due to construction and the effects of COVID-19 in the United States certain guidelines and procedures are in place. These will be discussed at greater length later on in the blog post. It remains to be seen how long or if these measures will be in place once things are back to “normal”.
what makes Muir Woods special
The area had long been home to the Miwok Indians whose population drastically dwindled over the years due to the rise of Spanish missions, diseases brought by European settlers, and practices of slavery. Muir Woods and surrounding land was given in a grant by the Mexican government in 1838 to a wealthy land owner. For years afterwards it would be the subject of various efforts to utilize the land and save the Redwoods. Muir Woods became a National Monument on January 9, 1908 with 295 acres. It was our 7th National Monument and the first to have the land donated by a private individual.
Come to the forest, for here is rest.”
– John Muir
Coastal Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) can only be found along the coast from Oregon to central California. They are the world’s tallest living thing, some being nearly 400 feet tall. Redwoods are an amazing story in teamwork and resilience. Their shallow root system allows them to be stronger by working together and their bark is fire-resistant. They are a great study for homeschool and an amazing sight to see!
visiting Muir Woods
Muir Woods National Monument is located at 1 Muir Woods Rd, Mill Valley, CA 94941. It is just a short drive past the Golden Gate Bridge, 11 miles north of San Francisco. There is limited parking available and currently you need a parking reservation. There is also a seasonal shuttle that is not operating at the moment due to COVID-19 restrictions.
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.”
– John Muir
Be sure to dress in layers because Muir Woods almost has its own little ecosystem. It is cool most of the year and fog or rain is a common occurrence. The monument is typically open 365 days a year. Always check the website before your trip to check for local conditions and current closures.
| Read 5 things to do in San Francisco with kids. |
special considerations for kids
Muir Woods is a concentrated area. It is easy to visit the park with your kids in just a couple areas and feel like you got the full experience. There is also one main trail that’s paved so utilizing a stroller is possible. However, keep in mind that sometimes the trails get narrow and when crowds are high it might be easier to not push a stroller through. We used a baby carrier for our littlest one on this most recent trip and our other kids (including the 2 year old) had no trouble hiking along with us.
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When visiting Muir Woods with your kids use it as an opportunity to teach them the principles of “Leave No Trace”. Since we often hike with our kiddos and our older ones are in Scouts our kids are very familiar with the idea of “Leave No Trace” but it’s always good for a reminder! Unfortunately, there are lots of areas at Muir Woods National Monument to point out to your children where people have carved into trees or wandered off the trail. Teach your kiddos to respect and love nature and what that means!
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4 things to do with your family
- Become a Junior Ranger by filling out a book you can pick up from the Ranger Station. Fill it out during your stay or mail in after you’re back home.
- Hike along the Main Trail. This trail can be easily tailored depending on the abilities of your kids. Simply cross any of the 4 bridges you come across to loop back to the beginning. Anywhere from .5 miles to 2 miles roundtrip.
- Drive the Muir Woods Road to Shoreline Highway and Stinson Beach. There is no entry fee required for this.
- Continue learning at home with any of the resources found here: https://www.nps.gov/muwo/learn/kidsyouth. This is perfect for a homeschool unit!
things to keep in mind for 2021
Travel over the past year has been different to say the least. Our family has loved visiting beautiful outdoor spaces like State and National Parks because things always seem relatively “normal” in nature. However, there are still some things to keep in mind if you’re planning on visiting Muir Woods National Monument in 2021.
| Read how you can stay safe in our National Parks. |
- Parking reservations are currently required. You must buy these ahead of time online. This is an extra fee on top of your entrance fee at the Visitor Center. The nice thing about this however is that parking is notoriously bad at Muir Woods National Monument and this was you know you have a spot.
- The shuttle is not currently operating due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Don’t forget your face mask. Although most areas are outdoors you are supposed to wear them “when social distancing isn’t possible”. Some of the trails are quite narrow so that might be more frequently than you think. If you want to go into the restroom or gift shop you will need one for that as well.
- Food and retail at the Monument are limited in service and capacity. Be prepared before you go.
- Not 2021 specific but in general–cell reception and wi-fi is non-existent in the park. So much so that you can still find an operating phone booth near the Visitor Center. If you are going with a large group have a plan for if you get separated.
By the way, did you know you can visit our National Parks FOR FREE? That’s right! Find out how in this post!
Have you ever been to Muir Woods National Monument? Is it on your National Parks bucket list?
