National Recreation Area

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a National Recreation Area in California. The NPS currently lists 7 active alerts (2 closures), 5 campgrounds and 4 visitor centers, and no entrance fee.

California National Recreation Area No entrance fee America the Beautiful pass accepted

Updated · NPS Data API

White buildings with red roofs at Crissy Field with blue bay and Golden Gate Bridge and fog behind.
Morning Fog at Crissy Field · Photo: NPS photo/Will Elder (via nps.gov)

About the park

“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…”

Active alerts

7

Closures

2

Campgrounds

5

Visitor centers

4

Current alerts and closures

7 active NPS alerts as of Oct 28, 2026: 2 closures, 0 danger, 1 caution and 4 information.

Closure

Temporary Road and Lot Closures for Half Marathon November 1, 2026

From 2am to 10am expect delays, parking lots, and road closures for half marathon starting at lower Van Ness Avenue near Fort Mason across Marina Green, through Crissy Field, across Golden Gate Bridge to Marin Headlands, and back to San Francisco. Watch for runners and race volunteers near roads. Park roads closed: Mason St, Long Ave, Marine Dr, Lincoln Ave, Vista Point and lower Conzelman Rd. Closed lots: Battery East, West Bluff, Merchant, Langdon Ct, and Northwest bridge. See link for map.

Posted or updated Oct 26, 2026 ·Details on nps.gov

Closure

China Beach Construction & Seacliff Avenue Closures Fall - Winter 2026

Park's China Beach renovation of bathhouse, lower terrace, and picnic areas is in progress. See 'more' for link to Phase 3 of China Beach project below. SFPUC waterline replacement project will cause parking restrictions, lane closures, and access controls along Sea Cliff Avenue. Visitors should expect SFPUC project on Sea Cliff Avenue to impact access to China Beach. See link to SFPUC project below: https://www.sfpuc.gov/construction-contracts/construction-projects/seacliffpumps.

Posted or updated Sep 7, 2026 ·Details on nps.gov

Caution

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.

Posted or updated Aug 23, 2026 ·Details on nps.gov

Information

Ocean Beach No-Burn Season: November 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027

Beach fires are PROHIBITED during the no-burn season. Do NOT make fire rings using rocks, logs or other items. The no-burn season avoids burning during the Bay Area Air Quality Management District's Winter Spare the Air season.

Posted or updated Oct 25, 2026 ·Details on nps.gov

Information

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.

Posted or updated Oct 25, 2026 ·Details on nps.gov

Information

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.

Posted or updated Aug 5, 2026 ·Details on nps.gov

Information

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.

Posted or updated Jul 20, 2026 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

Entrance fees and passes

This site has no entrance fee, according to NPS fee data.Parking or transportation fees may apply.

The interagency America the Beautiful pass is accepted here. Fee details on nps.gov

Things to do

Two bikers and a leashed dog ride down a dirt path through green hillsides.
Photo: NPS / S. Frisbie

Bike the Bolinas Ridge Trail

Enjoy open, grassy hillsides, redwood forests, decent climbs, and bumpy downhills on this multi-use trail.

1-3 Hours Year-round Pets allowed

Biking

Light brownish-yellow grasses on a ridge crest with a dark green forested ridge in the background.
Photo: NPS / J. Dupont

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…

1-11 Hours Year-round Pets allowed

Hiking

See all 23 things to do in Golden Gate →

Activities the NPS lists for Golden Gate.

Arts and CultureBikingMountain BikingCampingCar or Front Country CampingGroup CampingFishingSaltwater FishingFoodDiningPicnickingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingHikingFront-Country HikingHorse TrekkingHorseback RidingLiving HistoryReenactmentsJunior Ranger ProgramSurfingWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingMuseum ExhibitsShoppingBookstore and Park Store

Operating hours

Although this urban park is accessible 24 hours a day in most areas, most parking lots are open between sunrise to sunset.

Parking Lots
DayHours
MondayAll Day
TuesdayAll Day
WednesdayAll Day
ThursdayAll Day
FridayAll Day
SaturdayAll Day
SundayAll Day

Weather: Winter is characterized by sporadic rain and cool weather punctuated by brilliant sunshine. In winter the grass greens.

Contact and directions

Phone
415-561-4700
Email
[email protected]
Address
Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, CA 94123
Coordinates
37.8598, -122.6007· View on OpenStreetMap

Official park page on nps.gov Directions

Visitor centers

Visitor centerStandard hoursPhonePassport stamp
Golden Gate Bridge Welcome CenterDaily: 9:00AM - 6:00PM4154265220Yes
Lands End Lookout Visitor CenterDaily: 9:00AM - 5:00PM4154265240Yes
Muir Woods National Monument Visitor CenterDaily: 8:00AM - 6:00PM4155612850Yes
William Penn Mott Jr. Presidio Visitor CenterDaily: 10:00AM - 5:00PM4155614323Yes

Campgrounds

Site counts and fees are from the NPS campground data. Fees show the first listed rate; availability is not shown here — check the reservation site.

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Nearest other NPS sites

Sources

  • Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
  • Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/goga/index.htm
  • Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.