Leave No Trace and Zero Waste at Muir Woods
The National Park Service, ACE Parking Management and the Muir Woods Trading Company are committed to reducing the amount of waste produced at Muir Woods National Monument. In order to do this we offer composting and recycling opportunities to our visitors to help us in this endeavor.
At Muir Woods you will find composting and recycling bins in addition to traditional garbage bins. By properly sorting your waste into the respective bin you can help minimize the impact we have on the environment and planet by reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills each year.
Learn more about zero waste practices at the Recology website.
Leave No Trace
Protecting your park and environment is about more than just waste disposal. Enjoy the outdoors responsibly by practicing the principles of Leave No Trace.
Leave No Trace is simple: The following seven principles can be applied in any natural setting to minimize human impacts on the environment.
What does Leave No Trace Mean at Muir Woods National Monument?
- Plan Ahead and Prepare – Planning ahead for your visit to the park is the first step in helping protect the park and your experience here. Know and follow park regulations. Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use. Parking or shuttle reservations are required.
- Travel on Durable Surfaces – Durable surfaces include established trails. Stay on trails to keep from trampling fragile vegetation. Avoid shortcutting trails; shortcuts create new trails and increase trail erosion.
- Dispose of Waste Properly – Keep the park clean! Pack it in; pack it out. There are no trash bins along the trails in Muir Woods. Empty your pockets of small trash and wrappers before entering the park.
- Leave What You Find – All plants, animals, rocks, and artifacts are protected in Muir Woods and the surrounding Mount Tamalpais State Park . Preserve the sense of discovery for others by leaving all natural and cultural artifacts as you find them. Take pictures, write poetry, or sketch to help you remember what you discover here.
- Minimize Campfire Impacts – There are no campgrounds in Muir Woods, therefore campfires are prohibited. Fire rings are available at Muir Beach. Use only the designated rings.
- Respect Wildlife – Muir Woods is home to many animals, and we are visitors to their home. Observe wildlife from a distance. If an animal changes its behavior because of your presence, you are too close. Wild animals find plenty of their natural food in the park; human food does not give them the proper nutrients to survive the winter, so keep animals healthy by not feeding them. Picnicking is prohibited inside the park.
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors – People visit Muir Woods for different reasons. Preserve the park experience for all visitors by showing courtesy towards others. Excessive noise, pets, and damaged surroundings take away from everyone’s experience. Preserve a sense of solitude by hiking in small groups. Keep noise levels down and respect the natural soundscape by keeping quiet in Cathedral Grove’s designated quiet area and throughout the forest.
Please learn and practice Leave No Trace skills and ethics and pass them on to those you come into contact with. It’s easy to enjoy and protect the park simultaneously.
Discover how you can Leave No Trace in all of your adventures.