State Parks and National Parks

Muir Woods National Monument

When John Muir viewed the majestic coastal redwoods of coastal California, he declared, "This is the best tree-lovers monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world."

Until the 1800s, many northern California coastal valleys were covered with redwood trees similar to those now found in Muir Woods National Monument. Here, the forest along Redwood Creek was spared from logging because it was hard to reach.

In 1905, noting that Redwood Creek contained one of the San Francisco Bay Area's last uncut stands of old-growth redwood, Congressman William Kent and his wife, Elizabeth Thacher Kent, bought 295 acres here for $45,000. To protect the redwoods the Kents donated the land to the federal government and, in 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt declared it a national monument. Roosevelt suggested naming the area after Kent, but Kent wanted it named for conservationist John Muir.

Today, the 554-acre monument is one of the busiest national parks in the country. More than 1 million people visit each year. Parking near the monument is limited. On summer weekends, once the parking lots are full, visitors must park up to a mile down the road. A shuttle provides public transportation and reduces congestion.

The biodiversity at Muir Woods is striking. The redwoods dominate the scene, but Seller's jays often steal the show. Ladybugs cluster by the thousands on ancient horsetail ferns, while the slimy banana slug is able to disgust and fascinate all at once.

Plants adapt to low light levels on the forest floor, while whole plant and animal communities bustle in the canopy above.

Muir Woods National Monument offers a variety of free ranger-led nature walks and programs throughout the year.

Photo credits in order: Courtesy of the National Park Service. Courtesy of the National Park Service.