Parks

Sunrise from the Marin Headlands showing the Golden Gate Bridge.
2025 government shutdown updates in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area

This page covers the 2025 government shutdown in October 2025.

Photo of a redwood tree canopy.
Our favorite forest trails in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Mt. Tam

With trailheads in San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo counties, the forests of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Mt. Tam are both accessible and timeless.

Parks Conservancy staff members sit on a fence in front of Lake Lagunitas, smiling at the camera. The title "SPANISH" is in the upper right.
Come with us: A Bilingual Forest Walk at Lake Lagunitas

Walk and learn under the trees

view of Alcatraz island with dark clouds above and a sunrise peeking through the clouds on the horizon
Win a FREE trip to Alcatraz!

Win a FREE trip to Alcatraz with the Parks Conservancy!

A visitor walks along a path amid gardens at Alcatraz.
More than a landmark: Alcatraz is a living reminder of our past and our potential

“Protecting Alcatraz means protecting a global site of reflection, where people come to learn and grow,” said Christine Lehnertz, President & CEO of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. “If we lose that, we lose more than a landmark—we lose an opportunity to do better.”

A Muir Woods visitor enjoying the accessibility or the wheelchair accessible boardwalk.
Find your path: Accessible Trails in the Bay Area

The national parks surrounds the bustling, urban setting of Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo. But for a number of folks with disabilities, park trails can be intimidating. Here are some of our recommendations!

Park Staff Picks

Discover top recommendations and insider favorites from Parks Conservancy and National Park Service to help you experience the Golden Gate National Recreation Area like a pro.

Alcatraz Island is pictured in the distance with dramatic gray clouds overhead.
Alcatraz Fact Sheet

Alcatraz Island is more than a former prison—it’s a powerful civic space that connects past struggles to present challenges.

Statue of Yoda at LucasArts in the Presidio.
A Star Wars Fan’s Guide to Exploring Golden Gate National Recreation Area

If you're a Star Wars fan visiting the San Francisco Bay Area, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) offers more than just breathtaking views — it’s a destination where nature and the galaxy far, far away meet.

Rainbow above the Golden Gate Bridge.
Seasonal Guides to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Discover the natural beauty, history, and hidden gems of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area all year long with our Seasonal Guides. 

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