Muir Woods is notoriously difficult to visit. Parking is such a problem and there are so many people pouring into it that the National Park Service had to implement a reservation system–even before COVID.
But COVID has actually been good for this popular park.
Parking reservations are required, as are your time slot, and the park service has made fewer times available to allow for greater distance in the park between parties. Even so, the number of visitors is still very high. We were able to get in relatively easy and I hear that the reservations during weekdays are even easier. Make reservations here: GoMuirWoods.com. Note that you will be paying National Park Service fees for this park; it’s not a state park.
As well, if you have a fourth grader, all fourth graders get a FREE year long pass to national parks. I was able to sign my fourth grader up here and we got in free.
This park is a gorgeous walk through the coastal redwoods. The trails are gentle, yet offer lots to see and many bridges to cross. You can go up into the hills if flat trails are too easy. There’s a great gift shop and a cafe, although operating hours are affected by COVID-19.
On the Hillside Trail, we came across several mossy banks full of intriguing holes. Clearly home to little animals, we thought any number of critters could fit: snakes, moles, and gnomes.
This page has a good chart of hike lengths. Kids can sign up to become a Junior Ranger.
