➡Are you planning to visit Muir Woods this summer? Save these tips for your redwood adventure!

With its stunning old-growth redwoods, Muir Woods is a bucket list destination for many people in the Bay Area.

But it’s also one of the most crowded parks to visit and requires some advance planning to make the most of your trip.

Here are all my tips for visiting this summer 👇

🚗 🚌 1. Book your parking or shuttle pass well in advance – Parking reservations are required for $9.50/vehicle. Another option is to book the shuttle from Larkspur or Marin.

🥾 2. If you can't get a parking reservation, park at Bootjack Campground and hike in – It still costs $10 for day-use parking, but no reservations are needed. Just note that the hike is over 8 miles, so not for people who are looking for a quick day in nature.

⏰ 3. Start early or late to avoid peak crowds—Muir Woods is open from 8 AM to sunset every day. I personally prefer to do the Main Trail right at 8 AM (and on a weekday) before most people arrive and then explore the other trails.

🗺️ 4. Plan your trails ahead of time – there's little to no cell service—Take a screenshot of your parking pass ahead of time and download trails to your phone. The lack of cell service is also why it’s not recommended to take a rideshare to the park.

🗣️ 5. Talk to the volunteers to learn more about the park—You can learn a wealth of information from park volunteers. Don't miss the “tree talks” that happen periodically on the Main Trail.

🍃 6. Get off the main trail to enjoy quieter trails—Check out the Hillside Trail, the 3-mile Fern Creek, Lost, and Canopy Trail loop trail, or the 5.5-mile Bootjack and Ben Johnson loop for fewer people.

🌅 7. End your day with a sunset at Muir Beach Overlook—On a clear day, there’s no better spot to watch the sunset, only 10 minutes away from Muir Woods.

✌Follow @theatlasheart for more California travel guides!

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