Booking choice: The half day tour with hotel pickup, from $99 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
Muir Woods is small and popular, and the park itself says it can get very crowded. Hour of day matters more than month.
The advice below mixes the NPS weather page, the NPS hours page and what guests report on tour listings.
The quick answer
Go early. The park opens at 8 am, and guests report the first hour is almost empty and fills around 9 am. Late summer to early fall has the driest weather, and rain runs from late October to early May. The hotel pickup tour at $99 runs a morning departure.
What time of day is best?
Early morning. The park opens at 8 am, and guests report the first 60 minutes are almost empty.
A morning-tour guest reports the forest fills around 9 am. The visitor center opens at 8 am and closes 30 minutes before the park, and the cafe opens at 9, per the National Park Service. Arriving at opening beats any other planning trick.
A morning departure with hotel pickup and the entry already paid.
Check dates for the half day tour with hotel pickupAre weekdays better than weekends?
Yes. Parking and shuttle reservations frequently sell out on weekends and holidays.
The National Park Service says the park is very small and can get very crowded. A weekday gives you more choice of arrival time. The seasonal shuttle runs Fridays, weekends and holidays, so a Tuesday visit means driving, a tour or a rideshare.
What is the best season?
Late summer to early fall is the driest, and some consider August to October the best weather. Winter and spring bring rain.
The NPS weather page puts temperatures at 40 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit most of the year, with rain from late October to early May and a warmer, dry stretch from June to August. The trees are evergreen, so no season is bare.
| Season | What to expect | What to bring |
|---|---|---|
| Late Oct to early May | Rain, wet boardwalks, a fuller creek | Rain jacket, sturdy shoes |
| June to August | Warmer, dry, morning fog | Layers |
| August to October | Often the best weather, per the NPS | A light jacket |
Is fog a problem?
Heavy morning fog is common and usually clears by afternoon.
Fog can hide the bridge towers, but it suits the forest. The NPS coast redwood page says fog supplies nearly 40 percent of a coast redwood's water in a dry summer. If the bridge view is your priority, an afternoon sun window is likelier than a morning one.
What should you wear to Muir Woods?
Layers and sturdy shoes. It is cool under the trees even on a warm day in the city.
The NPS weather page says to dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. The main loops are flat and paved or boardwalk, while the Hillside Trail is dirt with steps. Bring a jacket if you visit in the rainy season. Eating is allowed only in the plaza before the forest entrance or on the cafe patio.
What are the Muir Woods opening hours?
Every day of the year, from 8 am to about sunset, with closing times that change by season.
The NPS hours page says closing times move through the year and advises against third-party sites for them. Emergency closures for weather, air quality or power outages are posted on the park's website. Check the park site for your date.
Do tickets sell out?
Reservations do, especially on weekends and holidays. Entry fees do not.
Book parking or a shuttle seat at gomuirwoods.com as soon as your date is fixed, since reservations open about 90 days ahead. Tours on this site carry a full refund up to 24 hours before, except the Muir Woods Express, so holding a date costs little.
Morning or afternoon departures with entry included and a 90-minute stop.
Explore the Gray Line bus or ferry tourWhen should you book a tour?
Take a morning slot and a weekday if you can.
The Gray Line tour departs morning or afternoon. The hotel pickup tour lists a morning slot with early access. Pick the earliest departure your timing allows, and add a layer for the fog.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Muir Woods?
Some consider August to October the best weather, with fall often the driest. The trees are green all year.
What time does Muir Woods get crowded?
Guests report it fills around 9 am, after a quiet first hour.
Does it rain a lot at Muir Woods?
Rain runs from late October to early May. Summer is generally cool and dry.
Do I need a reservation in winter?
Yes. Every vehicle needs a parking reservation all year, though winter weekdays are the easiest to book.
Ready to book
Choose your Muir Woods tour
Every option here can be cancelled for a full refund; the deadline is on each listing. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Muir Woods and Sausalito Half Day Tour
Morning slot gets you in before the crowds; entry included
Muir Woods and Sausalito, Bus or Ferry Back
- Minibus with a certified driver-guide, morning or afternoon departure
- Muir Woods admission (a $15 value) unless you pick the option without park entry
- A 90-minute stop in the woods, the most the park allows tour operators
Muir Woods and Sausalito Small Group Tour
- About 5 hours in an air-conditioned Mercedes Sprinter van, 14 guests at most
- A 10-minute vista stop at the Golden Gate Bridge
- 1 hour 15 minutes at Muir Woods and 1 hour on the Sausalito boardwalk
