Muir Woods in Fall

September through November is arguably the best window of the year at Muir Woods. The fog thins, temperatures stay mild, summer crowds vanish, and the bigleaf maples turn yellow along Redwood Creek.

Weather

Fall is the driest, warmest season at Muir Woods. September and early October sometimes deliver the warmest temperatures of the year — the marine layer has retreated and the low sun angle lets heat into the canyon.

Typical daily high in the park: 65 to 75°F in September, 60 to 70°F in October, 55 to 65°F in November. Overnight lows drop into the 40s by mid-October.

Rain returns in November, with the first real storms typically arriving between November 10 and 25. Check the forecast for the day of your visit — a rainy day at Muir Woods is magical, but muddy trails are real.

Crowds

Summer crowds fade dramatically after Labor Day. September weekdays are the quietest weekdays of any mild-weather month. Weekend crowds remain strong through mid-October, especially when the weather is good, then taper as the days shorten.

Parking reservations become much easier to get: often available same-day on weekdays, and 1 to 3 days ahead on weekends. This is the best season to plan a spontaneous visit.

Bigleaf Maple Color

The bigleaf maples along Redwood Creek turn bright yellow in mid to late October. This is not dramatic New England foliage, but it is a genuinely pretty color contrast against the redwood rust-brown bark and the evergreen canopy overhead.

Peak color timing varies year to year but usually falls between October 15 and November 5. Watch for early signs by looking up along the main trail between Bridge 2 and Cathedral Grove — the maples arch over the creek there and you can see their upper canopy changing before the color drops to eye level.

Salmon Run Anticipation

Coho salmon return to Redwood Creek to spawn in late fall and winter. The peak run is typically in December and January, but the first returning salmon can sometimes be seen from late November onward, especially after the first major winter storm fills the creek with fresh water.

Do not count on seeing them in fall — this is an anticipation window, not a guarantee. If you really want salmon, plan a December or January visit (see Muir Woods in Winter).

Shuttle Service in Fall

The Marin Transit Route 66F Muir Woods Shuttle runs weekends through late October. The daily summer schedule wraps up at the end of August. November is off-season for the shuttle — drive or take a tour.

What Animals You Might See

• Pacific banana slugs — active after any moisture, very visible on trail in November
• Steller’s jays — year-round residents, loud in fall as they cache acorns
• Varied thrushes — winter arrivals, orange-breasted, flashy; first sightings in late October
• Black-tailed deer — occasional sightings on upper trails
• Sooty grouse — rare but possible on the Dipsea ridge
• Bobcats — very rare, but more likely to see one in fall dawn hours than any other season

Best Fall Days to Visit

The post-Labor-Day Sweet Spot

September 8 through 22 — warm, dry, tourist season ended, school back in session, weekday reservations trivially available.

The Maple Color Peak

Mid-to-late October — the one time of year Muir Woods has actual fall foliage.

Thanksgiving Week

Counterintuitively quiet. Most visitors traveling for the holiday are with family, not at national parks. If you can get away, the park is nearly empty.

What to Pack

• Layers — mornings can be 45°F, afternoons 70°F
• Light rain jacket in November (50/50 chance of weather)
• Hiking shoes — fall is a great time for the Bootjack or Coast View loops
• Water
• Camera — the light angle is better for redwood photography in fall than any other season