Parking, Shuttle Reservations Open For Muir Woods

MARIN COUNTY, CA – People planning to visit Muir Woods National Monument in Marin County can make parking and shuttle reservations as of Jan. 1 and reservations will be required starting later this month.

The reservation system, intended to protect the park's resources and improve the experience for visitors, will be required starting Jan. 16 and can be accessed at gomuirwoods.com or by calling 800-410-2419.

The park service in September selected San Diego-based Ace Parking Management Inc. to manage parking and visitor flow at the popular tourist destination.

On Jan. 16 and any future date, visitors in privately owned vehicles will have to make a reservation off-site in advance since reservations will not be sold in the parking areas.

Reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance for $8 per vehicle or for $3 per seat on a shuttle for anyone 16 years or older. The shuttle can be picked up at the Pohono Street park and ride lot or the Sausalito Ferry Terminal.

Previously, limited parking and a large number of visitors -- an estimated 1.2 million annually -- led to illegal parking and heavy foot traffic along narrow roads, among other public safety risks, according to the park service.

More information can be found at gomuirwoods.com, where the reservations will be available starting at noon.

By Bay City News Service

Photo: Eric Risberg/Associated Press