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Alcatraz Island is more than a former prison—it’s a powerful civic space that connects past struggles to present challenges. Preserved through a partnership between the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the National Park Service, it draws over 1.4 million visitors annually.
As a transformative national park experience, Alcatraz invites people to engage with complex histories—military defense, incarceration, Indigenous resistance—and inspires reflection, learning, and a deeper commitment to justice, equity, and environmental stewardship.
Today, Alcatraz is not just a place—it’s a purpose. It uses its complex legacy to spark public dialogue, connecting the past to some of the most pressing issues facing our nation today.
The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, in partnership with the National Park Service, Alcatraz City Cruises, and the Port of San Francisco, is contributing to the revitalization of the Alcatraz Embarkation site at Piers 31–33, part of the Embarcadero Historic District. This location is one of America’s busiest gateways to a national park site, with up to 5,500 people passing through daily on their way to Alcatraz.
Read the op-ed by Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy President & CEO Chris Lehnertz on why sustained investment in national park sites like Alcatraz is essential for our future. Read more ››
Recently, the bipartisan America the Beautiful Act was introduced to reauthorize the Restoration Legacy Fund and provide up to $11.2 billion over eight years for critical park maintenance needs.
Originally authorized in 2020, the Restoration Legacy Fund has already invested in critical maintenance for Alcatraz Island:
These projects are part of a broader effort to address the $540 million maintenance backlog within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Continued funding authorized through the America the Beautiful Act is essential to maintain and enhance Alcatraz Island, ensuring it remains a vital and accessible part of America's natural and historical heritage.
Today, Alcatraz Island is a powerful symbol—a National Historic Landmark preserved for all time, a transformative national park experience and global site of reflection. More than 1.4 million people visit each year to engage with its full story: from incarceration to Indigenous resistance to ongoing conversations about justice and equity. This is where history speaks—and where we learn from the past to shape a better future.
“Alcatraz is a place where the past meets the present,” said Christine Lehnertz, President & CEO of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. “It challenges us to listen, to learn, and to carry forward the stories that still shape our world today.”
As the nonprofit partner to the National Park Service, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is proud and committed to keeping Alcatraz a bold civic space—open to all, driven by dialogue, and dedicated to justice, inclusion, and deeper understanding.
Head to our YouTube channel to hear from William Baker—former Alcatraz inmate turned storyteller—who reflects on his past and connects with new generations.
Alcatraz is also a critical ecological site:
Some of the Programs Currently on Alcatraz to explore visiting Alcatraz, purchase tickets here.
Alcatraz is not a blank slate—it is a living site of history, memory, and momentum. It challenges us to learn from the past and shape a future rooted in justice, truth, and inclusion.
Your support helps fight climate change and promote park sustainability—please give now.