John Muir National Historic Site

06/06/2026

Join us for Two Great Events at John Muir National Historic Site on Saturday, June 6!

🌱East Bay Public Gardens Open House

⏰10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Stroll through our Native Plant Garden, discover water wise gardening tips, and enjoy a self-guided tour of the grounds as part of this region wide garden event.

🔗More information: https://go.nps.gov/1stgv2

🎺Great American Patriotic Concert

⏰1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Join the Diablo Regional Concert Band, in partnership with John Muir National Historic Site, for a community celebration of national and local milestones. We are celebrating 250 Years of America and 150 Years of Martinez. Enjoy an afternoon of patriotic music in a historic outdoor setting.

Both events are free and open to all!

🔗More information: https://go.nps.gov/fe05uh

Photo Description: The Strentzel/Muir house at the John Muir National Historic Site.

📷NPS Photo/ Luther Bailey

06/02/2026

June begins, and blue skies are on their way to the Bay Area. Here at John Muir Historic Site, we're hosting a few events to close out spring and get summer rolling. Join us for a walk around the orchard, a story time session with a ranger, or even a patriotic concert. We've got lots going on, and there's sure to be something that piques your interest.

All events are free and open to the public — no reservations needed!

📍These events occur either at the Main Site, located at 4202 Alhambra Ave, Martinez, CA 94553, or at Mount Wanda, at the trailhead located at the corner of Franklin Canyon Rd. and Alhambra Ave.

🔗For more information about any of the above events, please go to www.nps.gov/jomu/planyourvisit/calendar via the link in bio.

We look forward to your visit.

Photo Description: An informal flyer titled What's Happening at John Muir National Historic Site, June 2026. The flyer features four descriptions of events at the site, set against a blue background of Mt. Wanda.

📸NPS Photo/ Luther Bailey

05/31/2026

The Cooper’s Hawk (Astur cooperii) can be found year-round in most parts of the continental United States and is a frequent visitor to the Castillo de San Marcos! This bird of prey was likely looking for small critters scurrying around the moat in the early morning.

Image: Cooper’s Hawk peeking over the fort’s wall.

05/31/2026

On May 31, 1889, one of the deadliest disasters in U.S. history struck when the South Fork Dam failed above Johnstown, Pennsylvania, unleashing more than 4.8 billion gallons of water. The raging flood swept through the valley, destroying homes and communities and claiming more than 2,200 lives.

After days of relentless rainfall, the dam gave way, triggering widespread devastation across the region. In the aftermath, Clara Barton and volunteers with the American Red Cross led one of the nation’s first large-scale disaster relief efforts, providing critical aid to survivors.

Today, Johnstown Flood National Memorial preserves the remains of the dam and tells the story of the flood, its victims, and the recovery efforts that followed. Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/jofl

Image: A tree lodged in the Schultz house in the aftermath of the Johnstown Flood of 1889

05/31/2026

🍄✨ Cave surprise! ✨🍄

At first glance, caves may appear inhospitable to life, but look closer and you can find it thriving. This mushroom, of the genus Mycena, found a perfect home in the cool, humid, dim light of the cave. Most Mycena are saprotrophic, meaning they feed on dead matter or waste. In addition to a comfortable habitat, this individual also found a nutritious meal in the dead tree root it’s growing out of!

This delicate flush of fungi appears only briefly each year on the same piece of decomposing wood deep within Oregon Caves — a tiny seasonal reminder that even in the darkest places, ecosystems are hard at work. 👀🌿

Next time you visit the cave, remember: there’s a whole hidden world growing in the shadows.

Photo credit: NPS/ Sarah M

05/30/2026

Thermal features are so hot right now.

Well, most of the time. Yellowstone National Park preserves the most extraordinary collection of hot springs, geysers, mudpots, and fumaroles on Earth. More than 10,000 hydrothermal features are found here, of which more than 500 are geysers.

Boardwalks and trails protect you and delicate thermal formations. Do not touch thermal features or runoff. Water in hot springs can cause severe or fatal burns, and scalding water underlies most of the thin, breakable crust around hot springs.

Learn more tips on how to adventure through Yellowstone safely at: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/safety.htm

05/30/2026

05/28/2026

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

“You must choose, but choose wisely…” -Grail Knight

Nobody wants slippy-sloppy. Or was it sloppy-slippy? Either way, taking the wrong footwear on the trail can quickly turn a fun hike into a painful one. Before heading out, research the route and terrain so you can choose the right gear for your adventure. Heels, open-toed shoes, and flip-flops are not ideal for hiking trails. For dirt or gravel trails, opt for sturdy hiking boots or trail shoes with good traction and ankle support. For paved or urban pathways, comfortable sneakers or tennis shoes are usually a better fit. Your feet will thank you later.

Now, to be fair, it's ! Flip-flops are great for beach parks, the pool, short walks, getting lost in the parking lot, or just embracing vacation mode. But rocky trails, waterfalls, uneven terrain, being chased by a herd of bison, mud, and steep inclines? That’s where things can get a little…well, slippy. Also sloppy.

Make good choices.

Image: A screenshot of a post from the National Park Service account on X that reads: “Always hike with proper supplies and equipment. Remember, flippy floppies may lead to slippy sloppies.”

05/26/2026

The mondayest Tuesday ever…

Dreading what feels like it could be a bear of a week? Feeling like you’re constantly playing catch-up? Bearly moving? Don’t worry…ease back into work instead of trying to tackle everything all at once. Start by tidying your workspace (or find your space if you’ve forgotten), reminding yourself what it is you do there, and planning your first break of the day. Sometimes the best way to get back into work mode is to give your brain a chance to catch up too.

Did somebody say break? It never hurts to take a much-needed “paws.” Regular breaks can help you recharge, refocus, and keep the day from turning completely grizzly. Step away for a few minutes to stretch, take a walk, catch something for lunch, or scroll through the park socials. This is your time.

Image: A bear cub takes a nap in a cottonwood trees Big Bend National Park. NPS/CA Hoyt

05/25/2026

Honoring all the members of our armed forces who gave what President Abraham Lincoln called "the last full measure of devotion," Memorial Day is one of the most important and solemn days on the National Mall. Across 250 years of American history, starting with those who fell while fighting alongside General George Washington in the Revolutionary War to recent conflicts, we will never forget our heroes. The military memorials on the National Mall are stunning tributes to hundreds of thousands of people who laid down their lives for freedom. Today we lay wreaths at these special places, but every day, walking past stone walls and metal statues, we recognize the loved and lost and offer the thanks of a grateful nation.

Photo by National Park Service.

05/02/2026

April showers bring May flowers — and a full calendar of events at the John Muir National Historic Site! From house tours highlighting restoration, migratory bird day counts, and historic orchard walks there's something for everyone. Come and make some lasting memories to kick spring off.

All events are free and open to the public — no reservations needed!

📍These events occur either at the Main Site, located at 4202 Alhambra Ave, Martinez, CA 94553 or at Mount Wanda, at the trailhead located at the corner of Franklin Canyon Rd. and Alhambra Ave.

🔗For more information about any of the above events, please go to www.nps.gov/jomu/planyourvisit/calendar via the link in bio.

We look forward to your visit.

Photo Description: An informal flyer titled What's Happening at John Muir National Historic Site May 2026. The flyer features six descriptions of events happening at the site, on a pink background of a lily flower.

📸NPS Photo/ Ives Humphreys

04/23/2026

Happy Birthday to John Muir National Historic Site 🎉🌿

On this Earth Day, we’re celebrating the life and legacy of John Muir, and our East Bay park “sibling” who keeps his story alive. We wish we could be there this year! Hope your event is a terrific success!


John Muir National Historic Site

04/22/2026

Happy Birthday John Muir!

We celebrate John Muir’s 188th birthday, reflecting on the writer and conservation champion who made his home here at what is now John Muir National Historic Site. It was from this landscape that Muir crafted many of the ideas and stories that helped spark the early conservation movement and inspire a deeper respect for the places that would eventually form our national park system.

As we reflect on Muir’s legacy, we also recognize the many people who have stewarded these lands throughout the generations. Our continued work at the site, including restoration, community partnerships, and education programs, builds on this broader, shared stewardship of the natural world.

Whether you’re exploring the orchard, walking Mount Wanda’s trails, or pausing beneath the walnut trees, take a moment to notice what you value in nature and consider one small action to help protect it.

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” — John Muir, Steep Trails

Photo credit: "NPS/John Muir NHS, JOMU 3519. Photographers: I.W. Taber and T.H. Boyd, circa 1870

04/17/2026

Reminder!

Join us tomorrow, April 18, for our Birthday/Earth Day celebration at John Muir National Historic Site. Enjoy fun activities, live music, and a family‑friendly day in the park.

Event details: https://go.nps.gov/1w8gfn

03/25/2026

Join us on Saturday, April 18, for our annual John Muir Birthday and Earth Day Celebration.

The event begins at 10 AM and is free for all visitors. Enjoy booths, live music, food, activities, and more as we celebrate the legacy of John Muir and the spirit of Earth Day.

For event details, please visit: https://go.nps.gov/1w8gfn

03/20/2026

Join Us for a History Hike on Saturday, March 21!

Take a guided walk up Mt. Wanda with a park ranger and explore the rich history this hillside has witnessed.

The 90‑minute hike, with rest breaks, will depart from the Mt. Wanda parking lot at the corner of Alhambra Avenue and Franklin Canyon Road at 10:30 a.m. Visitors may also meet the ranger at the John Muir National Historic Site Visitor Center at 10 a.m. for a slightly longer walk.

If you’d like a slightly longer walk, meet the ranger at the John Muir National Historic Site Visitor Center at 10 a.m. for a slightly longer walk.

This is a moderate hike with a 550‑foot elevation gain over one mile. Please wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring water. No restrooms are available along the route.

🔗More information: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=1BB8D07D-912B-980A-C105AB734F517987

📸Image Credit: NPS/ Luther Bailey

01/24/2026

Helen Muir-Funk, the youngest of John Muir's two daughters, was born January 23, 1886, in Martinez, California, where she was raised here on the Strentzel Family orchard.

Although several illnesses throughout her life kept her mostly at home, she always had an adventurous spirit. She enjoyed hiking, climbing, riding her horse, reading about football, playing her guitar, studying trains, and observing plants and animals. Unfortunately, her poor health made attending school difficult, causing her to spend the majority of her time at home, often helping her father by typing his manuscripts.

After bouts of pneumonia and tuberculosis, Helen moved south to Daggett, CA. Her doctor insisted that a drier climate was the only cure. At the age of 23, Helen met her fiancé, Buel Alvin Funk. They were wed in October of 1909, and together, they had four sons. They spent their time buying and selling real estate, in addition to running an alfalfa ranch. Helen had a convertible and was known to drive “quite fast” along the dry washes in the desert. After her husband’s death in 1934, she moved to Spokane, WA., and when the National Park Service began restoring the Muir-Strentzel House in the 1960s, she was very helpful in sharing memories from her childhood of what the house looked like in the early 1900s.

Helen lived out the remainder of her life in Washington state and eventually passed away in Spokane on June 17, 1964. She is buried next to her husband, Buel Alvin Funk, in the Bellevue Memorial Cemetery in Ontario, California.

Wanda Helen Muir, ca. 1887 [JOMU 3524]

Photo description: John Muir's daughters, Wanda, age six, and Helen, age one.

12/30/2025

We are still feeling festive at John Muir National Historic Site! 🎄✨

Five days after Christmas, the tree at the Strentzel-Muir House is just as magical. Thank you to the national account for helping us share this beautiful tradition from John Muir’s historic home.

Couldn’t make it for the holidays? There’s still time! The home will remain decorated through Wednesday, January 7. Come experience the charm and history before the season ends!

“Christmastime is here
Happiness and cheer…” 🎶

Image: Bay Laurel tree branch as a Christmas tree at John Muir National Historic Site.