Parks / Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area · CA
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history from California’s indigenous cultures, Spanish colonialism, the Mexican Republic, US military expansion and the growth of San Francisco. All of this and more awaits you, so get out and find your park.
Official NPS page →Current Alerts (7)
Intermittent Traffic Control on Rosenstock Road August 31 - September 16
Rosenstock Road in Fort Barry area of Marin Headlands will have intermittent lane closures as needed to safely remove eucalyptus trees. Please obey traffic controls. Signage, cones, and flaggers will inform visitors when traffic control is in effect. Work will occur Monday thru Friday 8am to 5pm. No work on Labor Day.
Auto-Theft Warning - Only Bring What You Need to the Park
You can prevent vehicle break-ins in parking lots and scenic overlooks. Before leaving your car for even a short period of time: 1) Remove all valuables, 2) Lock your doors. 3) Take your wallets, purses, backpacks, keys, key fobs, cell phones, and electronics with you. Read article for more details.
Temporary Delays & Closures for Tennessee Valley Trails August 24 - Sept 4
Road crew will be traveling to work sites via Bobcat Trail to perform repair work on a section of Coastal Trail from the intersection of Fox to the intersection of Pirates Cove Trail. Work will start on August 24 and last for approximately two weeks. 8 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday. Once that section is complete work will start from Pirates Cove to the intersection of Tennessee Valley. Please obey closures and stay away from work sites. Signage will be posted near trail and road intersections.
Ocean Beach Fire Season in Effect through October 31, 2026
Fires allowed ONLY in park provided concrete fire rings between Stairwells 15 and 20. Do NOT make fire rings using rocks, logs or other items. When the Bay Area Air Quality Management District declares a Spare the Air Day, NO campfires, beach fires, or outdoor grills are allowed in the park. For more information, visit the beach fire regulations link below.
Upper Fort Mason Roads and Parking Area Closures Fall 2025 - Fall 2026
Roads and parking areas at upper Fort Mason will have closures during utilities and seismic retrofit projects. Closures planned Fall 2025 through Fall 2026. Lots will be fenced and used as staging areas for projects occurring at Fort Mason. Signs will be posted in advance of utilities work as project progresses through each area at Fort Mason. Read signs and do not park in posted areas. Vehicles will be towed at owner's expense.
China Beach Construction Phase 2 Spring - Summer 2026
Project continues with improvements to the lower terrace and picnic areas, rehabbing the interior and exterior of the bathhouse, and installing seating and foot wash station near beach. Projects are expected to take 16-18 months. See link for details.
Presidio Trust Trails Annual Coyote Pupping Season is April to October
To prevent dog-coyote conflicts, avoid seasonally closed sections of the Park Trail and the Bay Area Ridge Trail to dog walking. Explore open dog-friendly trails instead and remember to keep dogs on leash. Visit the Presidio Trust's website for more details.
Road Conditions
Intermittent Traffic Control on Rosenstock Road August 31 - September 16 · Rosenstock Road
Rosenstock Road in Fort Barry area of Marin Headlands will have intermittent lane closures as needed to safely remove eucalyptus trees. Please obey traffic controls. Signage, cones, and flaggers will inform visitors when traffic control is in effect.
Impact: flagging
Intermittent Traffic Control on Rosenstock Road August 31 - September 16 · Rosenstock Road
Rosenstock Road in Fort Barry area of Marin Headlands will have intermittent lane closures as needed to safely remove eucalyptus trees. Please obey traffic controls. Signage, cones, and flaggers will inform visitors when traffic control is in effect.
Impact: flagging
Parking Closure of Fort Mason Lots Until December 2026 · Fort Mason Parking Lots
Roads and parking areas closed at upper Fort Mason during utilities and seismic retrofit projects. Lots will be fenced and used as staging areas for projects occurring through December 2026.
Impact: some-lanes-closed
Parking Closure of Fort Mason Lots Until December 2026 · Fort Mason Parking Lots
Roads and parking areas closed at upper Fort Mason during utilities and seismic retrofit projects. Lots will be fenced and used as staging areas for projects occurring through December 2026.
Impact: some-lanes-closed
Parking Closure of Fort Mason Lots Until December 2026 · Fort Mason Parking Lots
Roads and parking areas closed at upper Fort Mason during utilities and seismic retrofit projects. Lots will be fenced and used as staging areas for projects occurring through December 2026.
Impact: some-lanes-closed
Parking Closure of Fort Mason Lots Until December 2026 · Fort Mason Parking Lots
Roads and parking areas closed at upper Fort Mason during utilities and seismic retrofit projects. Lots will be fenced and used as staging areas for projects occurring through December 2026.
Impact: some-lanes-closed
Entrance Fees
This park is fee-free.
Campgrounds (5)
Bicentennial Campground
Bicentennial Campground is the easiest to reach campground in Golden Gate, approximately 100 yards from the parking area near Battery Wallace. The campground is a great location for those wanting to camp near the city. There is a moderate short hill to climb to/from the campground from the parking area. It is downhill to the site and uphill back to the parking area. Open Year Round. $25.00/per campsite per night
Details →Hawk Campground
Hawk Campground is the most remote campground and is located above Tennessee Valley and offers sweeping views of the Marin Headlands. The site is a 2.5 mile uphill hike from the Tennessee Valley Trailhead parking lot, or a 3.5 mile uphill hike from the Miwok Trailhead. There are 3 sites that can accommodate 4 people each. Maximum stay is three nights per year. Campsites are available March-November. $25.00/per campsite per night
Details →Haypress Campground
Haypress Campground is nestled within the coastal scrub of Tennessee Valley, near Mill Valley. The hike to this campground is 0.7 miles from the Tennessee Valley Trail head parking lot, and is an ideal campground for first-time backpackers. Haypress campers often enjoy hiking to Tennessee Beach, where they can admire its dramatic geology and colorful sand. Campground is open March-November. $25.00/per campsite per night
Details →Kirby Cove Campground
Kirby Cove is the most popular campground in the Marin Headlands, with spectacular views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate. Enjoy a wooded setting, seclusion and protected campsites which were recently restored for all to enjoy. Campsites are available for use only by prior reservation but anyone can walk down the road to enjoy the vistas and picnic on the bluffs or beach. Campground is open March-November. $40.00/per campsite per night.
Details →Rob Hill Campground
Open for public tent camping from April 1 to October 31, Rob Hill offers 4 (2 are accessible) group campsites that each can welcome up to 30 people. Sites must be reserved in advance through Recreation.gov. In addition to providing easy access to Presidio trails and views, each campsite comes with amenities like picnic tables and grills, as well as access to indoor restrooms.
Details →Upcoming Events
Presidio Forest Stewards
Sep 4, 2026 · Presidio of San Francisco. Specific meeting location will be listed in the registration confirmation email.
Presidio Habitat Stewards
Sep 5, 2026 · Specific meeting location will be listed in the registration confirmation email.
Nike Missile Site Open House
Sep 5, 2026
Presidio Tunnel Tops Stewards
Sep 8, 2026 · Presidio Tunnel Tops in the Presidio of San Francisco. Specific meeting location will be listed in the registration confirmation email.
Point Bonita Open House
Sep 19, 2026
Presidio Tunnel Tops Stewards
Sep 23, 2026 · Presidio Tunnel Tops in the Presidio of San Francisco. Specific meeting location will be listed in the registration confirmation email.
Presidio Tunnel Tops Stewards
Sep 29, 2026 · The specific meeting location will be provided in the registration confirmation email.
Things to Do
Archives Visit
Always open by reservation, The Park Archives and Records Center is excited to host visitors, researchers, and park staff. Here the Presidio's past is bridged to its present by the images, documents, and objects preserved. Come and experience the park by revisiting its past.
Bike the Bolinas Ridge Trail
Enjoy open, grassy hillsides, redwood forests, decent climbs, and bumpy downhills on this multi-use trail. This trail begins at either at the Bolinas Ridge Trailhead along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard or at the trail's southern end at the Fairfax-Bolinas Road's junction with the West Ridgecrest Road. Allow about 5 minutes to drive from Bear Valley to the trail's northern trailhead. Allow about 30 minutes to drive from Bear Valley to the trail's southern trailhead.
Bike the Golden Gate Bridge
Bike the Golden Gate Bridge!
Crissy Field Birdwatching
Birdwatching in Crissy Field
Crissy Field Restored Wetlands
Walking along the Crissy Field Promenade is a great recreational activity as well as a good wildlife and sightseeing adventure.
Explore Sutro Baths and Sutro Heights Park
Explore the Sutro Bath Ruins and Sutro Heights Park
Fort Baker Fishing
Fishing in Fort Baker
Hawk Hill Birdwatching
Birdwatching in the high hills of the Marin Headlands at Hawk Hill Overlook.
Hike the Bolinas Ridge Trail
Admire redwood forests and expansive views of the Olema Valley on this dog-friendly, multi-use trail. This up-to-11-mile-long trail begins at either at the Bolinas Ridge Trailhead along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard or at the trail's southern end at the Fairfax-Bolinas Road's junction with the West Ridgecrest Rd. Allow about 5 minutes to drive from Bear Valley to the trail's northern trailhead. Allow about 30 minutes to drive from Bear Valley to the trail's southern trailhead.
Hike the Main Trail at Muir Woods
Visit the historic, infamous redwood forest at Muir Woods!
Look for Red-Legged Frogs in Mori Point
Watch for California's red-legged frogs in the restored pond habitat at Mori Point.
Muir Woods Birdwatching
Birdwatching in Muir Woods
Nike Missile Site in the Marin Headlands
Visit and explore a Nike Missile site and learn about the role of the military installations here in the Marin Headlands.
Presidio Birdwatching
Birdwatching in the Presidio.
Rodeo Lagoon Birdwatching
Birdwatching in Rodeo Lagoon
Walk the Cross Marin Trail
The up-to-10.6-miles- roundtrip Cross Marin Trail is a relatively flat, easy trail that follows the historic North Pacific Coast Railroad right-of-way paralleling Lagunitas Creek. Pets are permitted on the Cross Marin Trail and must be on a six-foot or shorter leash at all times. Allow about 5 minutes to drive from Bear Valley to the trail's northern trailhead.
Whale watch from Muir Beach Overlook
Whale Watch from Muir Beach Overlook
Wildflower Walk at Fort Funston
Take a walk and enjoy the scenic views of the wildflowers blooming at Fort Funston.
Visitor Centers
- Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center
- Lands End Lookout Visitor Center
- Muir Woods National Monument Visitor Center
- William Penn Mott Jr. Presidio Visitor Center
Source: National Park Service.