Trail Description

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The Dipsea Trail stretches 7 miles from Mill Valley, CA to Stinson Beach, tracing the Redwood Creek watershed from the slopes of Mt Tamalpais to the sea. The Dipsea Trail crosses Redwood Creek in Muir Woods National Monument at the approximate midpoint of both the watershed and trail. Artifacts found near the Dipsea Trail suggest that indigenous Coast Miwok people followed a similar course from inland areas to reach the ocean.

Redwood Creek flows year round, providing critical support to the Redwood stands and riparian corridors it touches en route to the sea. Water needy trees such as maple, willow and alder share space along the creek, while live oak, buckeye and bay occupy adjacent, drier soil beds. High winter waters provide Coho Salmon and Steelhead Trout safe passage upstream to their birthplace, where they in turn spawn the next generation.

The following describes the western half of the Dipsea Tail from the Muir Woods parking lot to Stinson Beach:

The Dipsea Trail crosses Redwood Creek and climbs steeply beneath a dense canopy, gaining nearly 370' in just .35 miles. It emerges from the cluttered forest on a fire road and quickly departs, the first of many brief interludes on service roads. Follow signs and remain on the designated trail. The mixed forest clears on a steady climb with improving views of the greater landscape through which you're passing. In 1.5 miles the trail crests (1,010'), then undulates through enveloping stands of redwood and fir to the Ben Johnson Trail junction (1.7 miles : 1,087'). Keep straight and remain on the Dipsea.

The trail presses steeply once more and merges with a service road (1.85 miles : 1,130'), predictably veering off (right) soon after (1.95 miles : 1,175'). An exceedingly steep grade continues beyond the TCC Trail junction (2.05 miles : 1,295'), abruptly leveling off and bursting into an open saddle (2.1 miles : 1,365'). Views are exceptional from the trail's highest point: on clear days you can maneuver about to see the San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, Mt Tamalpais and Pacific Ocean.

Here the Dipsea Trail crosses a service road and bends west, relaxing on a diverting stretch that curls just beneath a rounded open hill top. Coastal views improve as you progress on this lofty .7 mile stretch. The trail gradually edges toward then enters a towering, uniform redwood grove on a sharp right hairpin turn (3.05 miles : 1,118'). The trail drops gently at first on a winding course through the redwoods, tightening suddenly atop a series of corkscrewed stairs.

The descent quickens on these steep, tightly wound and oft-slippery stairs before leveling out across Webb Creek and the first Steep Ravine Trail junction (3.7 miles : 515'). From Webb Creek the Dipsea veers right past a dam facility, a second Steep Ravine Trail junction (3.8 miles : 530') and across a service road (3.9 miles). The trail soon bursts from the timber into the open coastal slopes over Stinson Beach.

The trail drops, rises and drops again through textured coastal hills highlighted by prolific spring wildflowers and sweeping ocean views. Take note of the coastal chaparral and scrub plant communities around you, a biotic zone characterized by diminutive, hardy brush adapted to the coast's saline, intemperate environment. Look for deer, coyote, fox, bobcat and rabbit roaming in the rich periphery.

The trail winds quickly through the shade of a gnarled live oak grove (4.6 miles) on the final stretch to its terminus on Highway 1 and Stinson Beach (4.75 miles : 115'). To reach the beach, continue .25 miles north on Highway 1 and enter through the designated portal.

GPS Coordinates - DATUM WGS84

• N37 53.483 W122 34.160 - Dipsea Trailhead at Muir Woods

• N37 53.620 W122 35.104 - 1.0 mile mark

• N37 53.889 W122 35.735 - 1.7 miles : Ben Johnson Trail junction

• N37 53.870 W122 36.017 - 2.05 miles : TCC Trail junction

• N37 53.545 W122 36.810 - 3.0 mile mark

• N37 53.509 W122 37.076 - 3.55 miles : Begin descent on stairs

• N37 53.508 W122 37.250 - 3.7 miles : Cross Webb Creek

• N37 53.569 W122 37.810 - 4.25 mile mark

• N37 53.794 W122 38.156 - 4.75 miles : Dipsea Trailhead on Highway 1

Worth Noting

• The Dipsea Race is the 2nd oldest foot race in the US. The event took its name from the Dipsea Inn at the trail's terminus at Stinson Beach. Colorful names such as Suicide, Cardiac and the Hogsback have been given to sections of the trail to describe the race experience. Until 1971, the Dipsea Race was open only to men.



• Both Muir Woods and Stinson Beach are .25 miles away from the east and west trail access points, respectively. Both are worthwhile excursions if time allows.



• Mountain Lions are seldom seen but do inhabit this area. Avoid running alone, at dusk and dawn.



• Coastal Redwoods are the tallest living organisms on earth, and can live to be 2,000 years old. Redwoods grow best in moderate temperatures and need significant moisture to thrive. The Redwoods' success along the California coast is due in part to year round fog. This perennial fog condenses on the trees' needles, drips to the ground and provides moisture, even during the dry season.

Camping and Backpacking Information

Pantoll Campground

• The Pantoll Campground is located on Panoramic Highway adjacent to the Pantoll Ranger Station. It has 16 campsites, each with a table, rock barbecue, food locker and space for a tent. Phones, faucets, firewood and flush toilets are nearby. There are no showers. Sites are first-come, first-served.


Steep Ravine Environmental Campground

• The Steep Ravine Environmental Campground is located on a coastal terrace off Highway 1, one mile south of Stinson Beach. It has nine rustic cabins and seven primitive campsites. Each cabin has a wood stove, picnic table, benches, sleeping platforms and outdoor bbq. The cabins do not have running water or electricity. Primitive toilets, faucets, and firewood are nearby. Primitive campsites are located a few hundred yards from the parking area. Each site has a table, fire pit, food locker and space for a tent. Primitive toilets and water faucets are nearby. There are no showers at Steep Ravine Campground.


Alice Eastwood Group Camp

• Alice Eastwood Group Camp is located off Panoramic Highway on Alice Eastwood Road. It has two campsites. Site A holds up to 50 people; Site B holds up to 25 people. Both sites have tables, flush toilets, water faucets with sinks, bbq grills and a large area for tents.


Frank Valley Group Horse Camp

• Frank Valley Group Horse Camp is located 1.5 miles West of Muir Woods National Monument on Muir Woods Road. It has 12 pipe corrals, water faucets, watering troughs, picnic tables, fire rings and a pit toilet. The minimum group size is 2 horses; the maximum size is 12 horses.



• To reserve a campground visit www.reserveamerica.com or call 800.444.7275. For specific camping and campground questions, call Pantoll Ranger Station at 415.388.2070.



• Backcountry camping is not permitted within Mt Tamalpais State Park.

Fishing Information

While no fishing is allowed at Muir Woods, it's an excellent place to view two different species: The Coho or Silver Salmon and Steelhead Trout. Adults can be seen in the winter as they make their way to Redwood Creek to spawn. Coho can be seen first in the creek from December - January, then Steelhead from January - March.

The Coho will both begin and end their lives in Redwood Creek. The Steelhead, however, will race back out to sea after spawning in hopes of returning the next year.

Rules and Regulations

• Bikes are not permitted on the Dipsea Trail.

Directions to Trailhead

Muir Woods is located 11 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Take Highway 101 to the Highway 1 - Stinson Beach Exit. Follow signs to Muir Woods. Roads to the park are steep and winding with beautiful but distracting views. Pay attention to oncoming traffic. Vehicles over 35 feet long are prohibited. Parking spaces are limited and fill quickly on most days. There are no RV parking facilities.

Contact Information

Mt Tamalpais State Park
801 Panoramic Highway
Mill Valley, CA 94941
415.388.2070

Muir Woods National Monument
Mill Valley, CA 94941-2696

Visitor Information Recorded Message: 415.388.2595
Headquarters: 415.388.2596
Information For Hearing Impaired (TTY): 415.556.2766
By Fax: 415.389.6957

The park is open from 8 am to sunset, including holidays.

Approximate closing times for the year:

•Sunday, January 25 — 6 pm
•Sunday, March 8 — 8 pm
•Sunday, September 20 —7 pm
•Sunday, October 11 — 6 pm
•Sunday, November 1 — 5 pm

Currently the Visitor Center closes at 7:30 pm. The Cafe/ Gift Shop close at 5:00 pm. The Park closes at 8:00 pm.