Biodiversity Day 30 Species Challenge - Ranger Guided Hike

National Park Service Ranger Todd Hisaichi at Muir Woods National Monument.

Paul Myers / Parks Conservancy

They say that "variety is the spice of life", but we say that variety of life is the spice of a hike!

To celebrate California Biodiversity Day, Muir Woods AND Mount Tamalpais rangers invite you to explore a small part of the amazing biodiversity that our ecosystems have to offer. This special ranger-guided hike will take in redwood forest, riparian corridor, mixed woodlands, grasslands, and chaparral, with all the variety of life they contain.

As part of the Biodiversity Day celebration, we encourage hike participants to take photos of plants, animals, lichen, and fungi along the way to later upload to the iNaturalist "Find 30 Species for CA Biodiversity Day 2025" project. Together, we'll reflect on their role, importance, and relationships with others!

This hike will meet and start at the Mountain Home parking lot in Mount Tamalpais State Park (no reservation or parking fees required, but early arrival recommended). It will follow Panoramic, Canopy View, Redwood Creek, Dipsea, Sun, Redwood, and Panoramic Trails for an about 5-mile loop down to Muir Woods and back up.

• Trails are steep at times and will travel through varied microclimates, so suitable footwear, sun protection, and layered clothing are recommended.
• Water is available at the trailhead and partway through the hike, but participants should carry drinking water for the last, warmest, and uphill miles of the hike.
• This program will take an estimated 4 hours, so bring a lunch and snacks.
• Poison oak, ticks, and wasps may be present, so long sleeves and pants in light colors are strongly encouraged and strong fragrances are strongly discouraged.

NOTE: This hike starts at Mountain Home parking lot in Mount Tamalpais State Park. It will follow Panoramic, Canopy View, Redwood Creek, Dipsea, Sun, Redwood, and Panoramic Trails for an about 5-mile loop down to Muir Woods and back up.

This hike will likely last ~4 hours to allow for ample observation time.

Reservations are not required. However, the hiking group will be capped at 30 people.