Muir Woods in short
Muir Woods is a stand of old redwood trees in Marin County, north of the Golden Gate Bridge. It has a visitor center and a cafe with a terrace. It is a popular day trip, so planning ahead matters more than in most places around the bay.
Three things decide your visit: the entry fee, how you arrive and whether you have a reservation. The entry fee and the parking or shuttle price are separate costs. Everyone arriving by private vehicle or on the shuttle needs a reservation, and that applies all year.
How to get to Muir Woods
Compare the ways to arrive. Entry of $15 per adult applies to all of them.
| Way to arrive | Cost | Reservation | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Own or rental car, up to 17 ft | $10 per vehicle | Yes | 30-minute arrival window |
| Vehicle over 17 and under 22 ft | $30 | Yes | Arrival window of 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Large vehicle, 22 to 35 ft | $45 | Yes | Arrival window of 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Larkspur shuttle | $4 round trip from age 16 | Yes, seat reservation | Children up to 15 free with a seat reservation |
| On foot or by bike | – | No parking reservation | No bikes on the trails |
| Public bus 61 or 61F | Bus fare | – | About 3 miles extra on foot, 800 ft climb |
Prices are published rates for 2026, not checkout totals. Guests on organized tour buses are not part of the individual parking system, according to the reservation operator.
Our picks: Muir Woods tours
Two trips that include the park entry and a stop in Sausalito.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Muir Woods and Sausalito small-group tour
A 14-seat van with hotel pickup, a guide, water and the 15 $ Muir Woods entry. Tips and a ferry back from Sausalito are extra.
Check availability →
Muir Woods and Sausalito half-day by bus
Return bus, Muir Woods entry and about 45 minutes in Sausalito. You walk the forest on your own for about an hour and a half; food and tips are extra.
Check availability →Muir Woods tours and day trips
Guided half-day trips with Sausalito, small-group tours and hotel pickup options, with live prices and availability.
Reservations and parking
The system is the part most visitors get wrong.
Who needs a reservation
All private vehicles that arrive and all shuttle passengers need one, all year, including accessible parking. If you walk or bike in, you do not need a parking reservation.
When slots open
Most slots are released 90 days ahead. The rest are released 3 days before, at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Arrive within your 30-minute window. You can stay until the park closes.
Download it first
Save your reservation to your phone before you leave the city. Mobile service in the area is not reliable.
Driving from the bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge toll is only charged southbound, so the drive north from the city does not cost a toll. Read the toll guide for the return trip, and the parking guide if you stop at the bridge on the way.
The Larkspur shuttle
The shuttle leaves from the Larkspur Ferry Terminal and takes you to the Muir Woods entrance, so you do not need a parking reservation. Tickets cost $4 round trip from age 16, and children up to 15 ride free with a seat reservation.
The shuttle does not run every day. One schedule lists service from early spring to September on Friday to Sunday and holidays, and in October on Saturday and Sunday. Another source only says weekends and holidays from March to October. Plan for weekends and confirm the day before you go.
Parking at Larkspur is free on weekends and holidays. On other days it costs $2 if you arrive before 1 p.m. Be there 15 minutes before departure. For a car-free trip from the city, the Sausalito page shows how the ferry and bus connect.
Passes and fees
Know what you can use before you pay twice.
Entry
$15 from age 16, free for under 16. Parking or the shuttle is paid on top.
Muir Woods annual pass
The $45 pass covers the holder and 3 adults. A reservation is still required.
America the Beautiful pass
In 2026 the annual pass costs $80 for US residents and $250 for non-residents.
Non-resident surcharge
The extra $100 for visitors from abroad applies to 11 listed national parks. Muir Woods is not on that list.
Hours and rules in the forest
Muir Woods is open 365 days a year, normally from 8 a.m. until about sunset, which changes with the season. The visitor center closes 30 minutes before the park. Emergency closures can happen.
- No bikes on the Muir Woods trails.
- No pets. Trained service animals are exempt.
- Eat only at the plaza and the cafe terrace.
- Download your reservation before you arrive.
You can combine the forest with a stop at the bridge, which is on the way from the city. The viewpoints guide has places to stop for photos.
Plan the rest of your trip
More from around the bridge.
Muir Woods: frequently asked questions
Do I need a reservation for Muir Woods?
If you come by car or shuttle, yes, all year. If you walk or bike in, you do not need a parking reservation. The entry fee applies to everyone aged 16 and over.
How much does it cost?
Entry is $15 from age 16. Standard parking is $10 per vehicle up to 17 ft, and the shuttle is $4 round trip. These are separate costs, published for 2026.
Can I go to Muir Woods without a car?
Yes. The seasonal shuttle from Larkspur goes straight to the entrance. Bus 61 or 61F ends about 3 miles from the forest, which means a walk with about 800 ft of climb.
Does the extra $100 for foreign visitors apply?
No. That surcharge covers 11 listed national parks, and Muir Woods is not one of them.
Can I take my dog or bike?
No bikes are allowed on the trails and pets are not allowed. Trained service animals are an exception.
Will my phone work there?
Do not rely on it. Mobile service is unreliable, so download your reservation before you arrive.