The John Muir House in Martinez

John of the Mountains they called him, and rightly so. He lived and earned the title. Intimately linked, John Muir’s life and writing championed American wilderness at a crucial point in history. He moved us to preserve exquisite samples of our natural heritage before it was too late, before the last remnants were gobbled up by the relentless wheels of industry.

Muir spoke out for saving wilderness just when the frontier that molded our pioneer character disappeared. The important change of national attitude this represented in the late 1800s is difficult to appreciate today. We now recognize our culture’s close link to our environment’s fate—thanks in large part to John Muir. He bridged the gap between earlier exploitive attitudes toward wildlands and today’s environmental outlook. Nature does not exist solely to be exploited economically by man. It exists in its own right and, if protected, can benefit us in myriad ways.

About Your Visit

The original 8.8-acre park preserves the residence of John Muir, where he lived from 1890 until his death in 1914, as well as a small part of his fruit ranch. An additional 187-plus acres incorporates Mt. Wanda, where John Muir and his daughters often walked to enjoy the native oak-covered hillsides of the Alhambra Valley.

A tour booklet is available at the visitor center. Please arrange guided tours for groups in advance.

The visitor center, the first floor of Muir House, and the grounds are wheelchair accessible for those who need assistance getting between the visitor center and the Muir House, an electric cart is available upon request.

For Your Safety

Please be extra cautious while visiting the park. Your best defense against accidents is common sense.

Administration

This site is administrered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. The National Park System consists of more than 340 parks representing our country’s inheritance.