Did you know that Muir Woods National Monument hosts free, ranger-led tours after sundown?
The scenic national park site usually closes at sunset, so the popular Muir Woods Night Tour offers a unique opportunity to connect with the world’s oldest and tallest trees in a new way.
It only takes about 45 minutes to reach Muir Woods from San Francisco. Read on for a closer look at this underrated after-dark excursion.
Muir Woods Night Tours
The National Park Service hosts the Muir Woods Night Tour on the last Friday of the month from January through October.
The 2-mile tour typically begins after sundown and lasts about 2 hours, with a park ranger guiding guests along the darkened Redwood Creek and Hillside trails. You’ll explore the forest in low light, focusing on nocturnal sounds and wildlife like bats and owls. Most of the route is paved and flat, although there is a short, 50-foot climb.
Organizers recommend dressing for the weather and bringing a flashlight, and they do not recommend bringing children under 10 years old.
Guests must RSVP to snag one of the 30 available spots on the monthly tour. Registration opens at 8 AM two weeks before the tour, and you can reserve for a maximum of 6 people.
Muir Woods has been a protected national monument since 1908, and is often considered one of the last remaining old-growth redwood forests in the Bay Area. Most trees are between 600 and 800 years old, many of which tower at over 200 feet tall.
Visiting Muir Woods from SF
While the tours are free, guests 16 and over must still pay the $15 Muir Woods park access fee and make a parking reservation in advance.
You can make it to Muir Woods from San Francisco in about 35-45 minutes by car.
🌐 Learn more: GoMuirWoods.com
