Muir Woods National Monument
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courtesy of the National Park Service |
Contact Information:
Muir Woods National Monument
Mill Valley, CA 94941
415-388-2596
http://www.nps.gov/muwo/
Size: 554 acres.
Location: Muir Woods National Monument is located 12 miles north of California's Golden Gate Bridge, accessible via US 101 and CA 1.
Description: The virgin stand of coastal redwoods was purchased by Congressman William Kent and his wife, Elizabeth Thacher Kent in 1905. The land was subsequently donated to the federal government and declared a national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908, in honor of John Muir, writer and conservationist.
Activities: Muir Woods canyon is a great place to hike and enjoy the forest. Bridges along Redwood Creek create leisurely 1/2 hour, 1 hour, or 1 1/2 hour loops. All of these walks take you on a journey beneath 1000 year old old-growth coast redwood trees. Picnic facilities are located at nearby Muir Beach and Muir Beach Overlook. With more than a million visitors a year, Muir Woods can be quite crowded, particularly during the summer months. Park staff recommend visiting on weekdays, before 10am or after 4pm to avoid the crowds.Operating Hours: The park is open from 8am to sunset, including holidays. A word of advice: If you go on the weekend, plan to get there as early as possible, as the parking lot tends to fill up very quickly.
History: Proclaimed on January 9, 1908.
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