Muir Woods works well for kids. The main loop is paved and stroller-friendly, the trees are genuinely awe-inspiring, and the National Park Service runs two free printable activities that give children something to do while they walk. This page has both, plus a few tips for parents.
Become a Muir Woods Junior Ranger
Kids can earn an official Junior Ranger badge (or certificate, depending on age) by completing activities in the park’s Junior Ranger booklet. Activities cover tree identification, listening for forest sounds, and the role rangers play in protecting the monument.
- Download the Junior Ranger booklet (PDF)
- Bring it with you, or pick one up at the visitor center.
- When finished, kids can be sworn in by a ranger at the visitor center.
Redwood Discovery: A Quest at Muir Woods
A second free activity, aimed at families who want a scavenger-hunt-style experience. Kids solve rhyming riddles along the main loop to find a “treasure box” and earn bragging rights.
- Download A Quest at Muir Woods (PDF)
- Works best for kids roughly 6 to 11.
- Print at home or pick up a copy at the visitor center.
What to Pack for Kids
- A warm layer. The forest runs cool (40 to 70°F year-round).
- Closed-toe walking shoes. The boardwalk is flat but side trails have roots.
- Water and snacks (eat them before you enter. No picnicking inside the monument).
- A clipboard or small book to rest the Junior Ranger booklet on.
- For younger kids: a jogging stroller or child carrier for the main loop.
Look for banana slugs: bright yellow, slow, impossible to miss once you spot the first one.
Kid-Friendly Tips
- Go early. The first parking and shuttle slots of the day are calmer and cooler. Less waiting, more wonder.
- Let them lead. The boardwalk is safe enough to let kids set the pace.
- Look for banana slugs. Don’t touch. Their slime is mildly irritating.
- Cathedral Grove has a “quiet” rule. A good chance to practice whispering.
- Bathrooms are at the entrance, not on the loop. Stop before you start.
What’s Not Allowed
A few rules to cover with kids before you go:
- Stay on the trails. Compacting soil hurts the trees.
- Don’t pick plants, cones, leaves, or berries.
- No running off the boardwalk.
- Dogs are not allowed (service animals excepted).