Leave No Trace at Muir Woods
The National Park Service, ACE Parking Management, and the Muir Woods Trading Company work together to reduce waste produced at Muir Woods National Monument. Sorting stations inside the park make it easy for visitors to help. The bigger picture, and what applies on every trail you walk, is the Leave No Trace ethic.
Zero Waste at Muir Woods
You will find composting and recycling bins alongside traditional trash bins throughout the park. Sorting your waste into the right bin keeps material out of landfill and shrinks the monument’s footprint. For sorting guides, see the Recology Sonoma Marin resource center.
The Seven Principles at Muir Woods
Leave No Trace is a set of seven principles that apply in any natural setting. Here is what each one means specifically at Muir Woods:
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Know the park regulations before you arrive. Schedule your visit to avoid peak hours (mid-morning to early afternoon on weekends). Parking or shuttle reservations are required. There is no walk-up parking.
Travel on Durable Surfaces
Stay on established trails. Redwood root systems are shallow and easily damaged by foot traffic. Shortcuts create new erosion paths and trample fragile understory vegetation that takes decades to recover.
Dispose of Waste Properly
Pack it in, pack it out. There are no trash bins along the trails inside the park, only at the entrance and visitor center. Empty your pockets of wrappers and small trash before you walk in, and carry a small bag for any waste you generate on trail.
Leave What You Find
All plants, animals, rocks, and artifacts are protected in Muir Woods and surrounding Mount Tamalpais State Park. Take photos, sketch, or write about what you find, but leave it in place for the next visitor to discover.
Minimize Campfire Impacts
There are no campgrounds in Muir Woods, and campfires are prohibited inside the monument. If you want a beach fire, use only the designated fire rings at nearby Muir Beach.
Respect Wildlife
Observe from a distance. If an animal changes its behavior because of you, you are too close. Wild animals find enough of their natural food in the park; human food does not provide the nutrition they need to survive winter. Picnicking is prohibited inside the park, partly to keep wildlife from getting habituated.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Keep group sizes small. Keep noise levels down, especially in Cathedral Grove’s designated quiet area. The sense of solitude under the redwoods is part of what people come here for. Preserve it by walking quietly and letting others do the same.
Learn more and find ways to practice Leave No Trace in your other outdoor trips at lnt.org.