The Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument, and Fort Point National Historic Site comprise the Golden Gate unit of the National Park Service. Together, they're often among the top 3 most-visited units of the 417 parks under the NPS, sometimes attracting over 15 million visitors in a year—more than the visitation to Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Grand Canyon national parks combined.

Stretched across more than 82,000 acres north and south of the Golden Gate Bridge, these parks also constitute one of the world’s largest national parks in an urban setting. They feature:

• 37 distinct park sites, from Muir Woods National Monument to Fort Point National Historic Site to Alcatraz Island.
• More than 130 miles of trails.
• 1,200 historic structures.
• 1,000 types of plants, 250 bird species, and the 3rd largest number of federally endangered and threatened species of all 401 units within the National Park Service.
• Significant natural resources making the parks a “biodiversity hotspot” designated by UNESCO.
• 19 separate ecosystems in 7 distinct watersheds.

Muir Woods. Crissy Field. Alcatraz. The Marin Headlands. Stinson Beach. Lands End. The Presidio. And 30 more national park sites north and south of the Golden Gate, along with beloved spots like Presidio Tunnel Tops and Crissy Marsh.

Only one non-profit organization supports them all. The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.

Since 1981, partnering with the National Park Service and Presidio Trust, the Parks Conservancy has provided over $685 million in support to the Golden Gate National Parks, rallied more than 275,000 volunteers, and pioneered innovative park stewardship and education programs.

Explore our diverse array of programs and projects in support of the parks—and then learn how you can help. Become a member, donate, or volunteer.

The parks are open year-round. Spring and fall tend to offer the most comfortable weather. Summer is peak season and can be foggy in San Francisco, but Muir Woods and Marin are often sunny. Weekday visits are recommended to avoid crowds. Read our seasonal guides for more tips.

Parking at Muir Woods requires a reservation, especially on weekends and during peak summer months when the lot fills up fast. If you'd rather skip the parking hassle altogether, the Muir Woods shuttle is a great alternative. It runs from select locations in Marin and is a stress-free way to get to the park. Once you're there, no reservation is needed to walk the trails. Plan your Muir Woods visit here.

Alcatraz is only accessible by ferry from Pier 33 in San Francisco. Tickets should be booked in advance, especially during summer, as tours sell out weeks ahead. Plan your visit to Alcatraz Island now.

Yes! The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is actually one of the most dog-friendly national park sites in the country, with miles of dog-accessible beaches, scenic trails, and open spaces across San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo counties. It's also the only National Park Service site with designated off-leash areas, like Fort Funston and parts of Crissy Field, where dogs can roam under voice and sight control. In most other areas, dogs must be on a leash no longer than six feet. Note that some sensitive habitats have seasonal restrictions to protect wildlife. See all dog-friendly park sites and rules here.

Parking availability varies by location. Muir Woods has limited parking and requires a parking reservation. Crissy Field and the Presidio have free and paid parking lots as well as street parking, though they fill up on weekends. Taking public transit or the Muir Woods shuttle is encouraged.