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Podcast: The Leap
Episode:

Muir Woods Reopens Amid Government Shutdown — Temporarily
Category: Society & Culture
Duration: 00:00:00
Publish Date: 2025-10-23 22:14:54
Description:

Muir Woods National Monument temporarily reopened on Thursday after several companies associated with the park made a donation to the National Park Service during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

The nonprofit Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy confirmed to KQED by email that the Muir Woods Trading Company, ACE Parking, and Must See Tours — all “operational partners” within the park itself —  had offered funding which enabled the space to reopen for a 10 day period.

Muir Woods, which closed its gates over three weeks ago on the first day of the shutdown, is now open through Saturday, Nov. 1, for normal visitation, according to a memo that Sally Golub, acting chief of business management at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, sent to companies operating in the park.

During this period, the usual $15 entrance fee is waived, the memo says. According to Brian Huber, owner of San Francisco Jeep Tours, which operated in the park, parking and shuttle reservations are once again required.

The visitor center will be reopened, along with the Muir Woods Trading Company, which manages the park’s gift shop and cafe. Rangers are on-site and providing programs, the memo says.

Reopening the redwoods

The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy confirmed the reopening to KQED, saying operational support in the park will be provided by the Muir Woods Trading Company, ACE Parking and Must See Tours — the same companies who are funding the reopening. KQED has reached out to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area for clarification on operations.

The park’s reopening through private funds is permitted by the NPS’s shutdown plan, and is the same funding model being used to keep Alcatraz Island open.

“We’re proud to welcome people back to Muir Woods,” wrote Christine Lehnertz, president & CEO of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, in an email to KQED. “This moment reflects the strength of our partnerships and the deep care our community has for these parks.”

Huber, whose tour company offers private Jeep tours to places like Muir Woods, Sausalito and Golden Gate Park, said the park’s reopening has been in the works for the last two weeks.

While his company isn’t currently donating money to the Muir Woods reopening, Huber says he was part of a group of business owners that volunteered to provide funds toward the estimated $4,700 per day required to keep Muir Woods open.

During Muir Woods’ closure, Huber said his company redirected their Jeeps to Mill Valley and Mt. Tamalpais, while other companies with buses went to Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve in Sonoma County, but “that’s a two-and-a-half-hour addition.”

Huber said his company just sent its first tour back out into the park at 1 p.m. on Thursday.

“People come from all over the world to go to it, so we’re excited they can go again,” he said.
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