10 John Muir Quotes to Inspire You to Take a Muir Woods Tour
10 inspirational John Muir quotes to think on as you explore the California Redwoods on a Muir Woods tour!
North of the Golden Gate Bridge is a grove of nearly two-thousand-year-old redwoods hidden in a valley of Mount Tamalpais, the John Muir Forest that has been home to coastal redwoods for 150 million years.
John Muir quotes are some of the most famous outdoor quotes and have inspired outdoor enthusiasts all over the world to explore the mountains and stand up for the John Muir Forest.
His quotes about the woods, specifically his quotes about redwoods, along with his passion for the outdoors, have moved millions of people. Even President Teddy Rosevelt was inspired to name the famous redwood forest after him!
1. “Come to the forest, for here is rest.” – John Muir
2. “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” – John Muir
3. “The world’s big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark.” – John Muir
4. “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir
5. “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.” – John Muir
6. “How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains!” – John Muir
7. “The mountains are calling and I must go.” – John Muir
8. “Walk away quietly in any direction and taste the freedom of a mountaineer.” – John Muir
9. “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity.” – John Muir
10. “And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” – John Muir
History of Muir Woods
Nearly a decade before the National Park Service was signed into existence; President Teddy Rosevelt used his presidential powers under the Antiquities Act to declare parts of Mt. Tamalpais as a National Monument. This was one of 18 monuments and over 100 million acres of forest that Roosevelt preserved during his time in office.
If it hadn’t been for the tireless efforts of naturalist and self-proclaimed mountaineer, John Muir, the redwood forest would have fallen victim to a booming lumber industry.
John Muir’s wildlife quotes, redwoods quotes, and naturalist quotes inspired a local politician, William Kent, to buy nearly 300 acres of the redwood forest to preserve the ancient towering trees.
When a local water company wanted to build a new dam, which would result in flooding the valley of redwoods, they took William Kent to court over land use. Kent retaliated by donating every last acre of land to the federal government. This massive land donation resulted in Teddy Rosevelt creating a new National Monument.
The John Muir Forest was originally planned to be named after William Kent, to honor his donation. Kent urged Rosevelt to name the park after the man whose words had inspired him to take action, after all without John Muir, the redwoods near San Francisco would probably not exist. With that, almost 300 acres of Mount Tamalpais became Muir Woods National Monument, also known as the John Muir Forest.
What was it about John Muir’s famous California quotes, especially his redwood quotes, that inspired William Kent and so many others to explore and protect nature? Here are ten best John Muir quotes to help you see for yourself.
Don’t these John Muir wilderness quotes have you wanting to see John Muir’s forest for yourself?
With all the new parking changes at Muir Woods and Muir Woods shuttle changes, taking a Muir Woods tour might be the easiest way for you to get to see John Muir’s forest.
Our most popular minibus tour of San Francisco and Muir Woods is Dylan’s Famous San Francisco Tour with Muir Woods Shuttle. This tour stops at Muir Woods for over an hour and takes time to explore San Francisco’s can’t-miss neighborhoods like the Mission District, Twin Peaks, Haight-Ashbury, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
If you’re trying to see the absolute most in one tour, you might want to check out our 1-Day Alcatraz Experience. On this tour, you’ll get to see San Francisco, Muir Woods, and Alcatraz.
- Dylan’s is also the only tour company that offers a combination bike and bus tour, Bike the Bridge & Muir Woods Shuttle.
- Dylan’s is also the only tour company that offers a combination of a bike and bus tour, we created the Bike the Bridge + Muir Woods Shuttle tour.
Get the best of both worlds and bike across the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito for lunch (only available on the 8:00 AM tour.) After lunch, our private Muir Woods shuttle picks you up and drives you up the mountain to Muir Woods where you’ll explore for over an hour before being dropped back off in San Francisco.
No matter which Dylan’s Tour you choose, when you get to Muir Woods, you will better understand John Muir’s famous quotes about the wilderness and his famous redwood tree quotes. We think you’ll be sure to fall in love with the beauty of Northern California the John Muir Forest!
Do these famous John Muir quotes have you feeling inspired to take a hike through Muir Woods? Read more about visiting the John Muir Woods in these blogs:
5 Best Muir Woods Hikes for Anyone on a Muir Woods Tour
10 Ways to Get from San Francisco to Muir Woods
Discover San Francisco like never before! Join our Explore S.F. group on Facebook, your ultimate guide to the city’s best-kept secrets. From local tips to monthly adventures, this is where your journey begins. Click here to join and start exploring!