What Makes Ben Johnson Different

Most trails out of Muir Woods climb through a mix of redwood and second-growth fir — you notice the redwoods thinning as you gain elevation. Ben Johnson is different. The trail contours through continuous old-growth coast redwood for most of its length, with some of the largest individual trees on park property lining the path.

The grade is steady — about 10% for the first mile — and the tread is dirt with exposed roots. Nothing technical. The trail does not get obvious ocean views or ridge panoramas, so day hikers looking for a “payoff” often choose other trails. That leaves Ben Johnson to the people who came specifically for the trees.

The Trail as a Connector

Ben Johnson is most often hiked as part of a loop, not a standalone out-and-back. Two common combinations:

Dipsea Loop

Climb out of Muir Woods on the Dipsea Trail, top out near Cardiac, descend via Ben Johnson. ~4 miles total, 1,300 ft of gain. The full classic loop.

Bootjack Loop

Climb Bootjack to Van Wyck Meadow, contour on TCC and Stapelveldt, descend Ben Johnson. 5.5 miles, 1,400 ft. See our Bootjack Loop guide.

Straight Out-and-Back

Uncommon but possible: main trail to Ben Johnson junction (1 mile, flat), up Ben Johnson to the Stapelveldt junction (1.5 miles, 900 ft gain), return the same way. 5 miles round trip, ~3 hours. Useful for conditioning hikes or if you want Ben Johnson specifically.

Route Description

0 to 1 mile — Main trail to Ben Johnson junction. From the visitor center, follow the paved main trail past Cathedral Grove. Watch for a small dirt trail on the left (east side) with a Ben Johnson Trail signpost, roughly 1 mile from the visitor center.

1 to 1.8 miles — Initial climb. The trail climbs through old-growth redwood on switchbacks. The grade is noticeable but not brutal. You are completely shaded. Creek sounds fade as you gain elevation.

1.8 to 2.5 miles — Upper Ben Johnson. The tread levels briefly, then climbs again to meet the Stapelveldt Trail at roughly 1,100 feet elevation. This is the standard turnaround for out-and-back hikers.

From the Stapelveldt junction, you can connect to the Dipsea Trail (left) or the TCC Trail back to Bootjack and Van Wyck Meadow (straight ahead).

Who Was Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson was a late-19th-century Marin landowner whose property bordered what is now Muir Woods National Monument. The trail was built on or near his original land. He has no particular fame beyond the trail bearing his name — one of the common pieces of trivia at Muir Woods is that the trail’s namesake has no Wikipedia page.

Practical Notes

Parking: Standard Muir Woods reservation required.

Water: None on the trail. Fill up at the visitor center.

Cell service: None. The canyon blocks signal completely.

Footwear: Trail shoes or hiking boots. Roots and occasional rocks but no technical terrain.

Dogs, bikes, horses: Not permitted. Muir Woods is a no-pets park and the trail is too narrow for bikes.

When to Hike

Year-round, with two exceptions: during heavy rain the tread can be slippery (give it a day after a storm) and during peak summer Sundays the Cathedral Grove area of the main trail gets dense enough that the first mile feels like a parade. Early morning (before 10 AM) or late afternoon (after 3 PM) solves that.