• View of the Golden Gate Bridge, taken from the Marin Headlands, looking across the bay back towards San Francisco, seen in the distance.

    Golden Gate

    National Recreation Area California

There are park alerts in effect.
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  • Tunnel to Marin Headlands Closed

    The tunnel on Bunker Road from Alexander Avenue in Sausalito towards the Marin Headlands is closed for construction. Please follow the detour signs to Conzelman Road (just above the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge) to go up over the hill. More »

  • Muir Beach (but not nearby Muir Woods) parking lot closed June-November 2013

    Muir Beach parking lot will be closed from June-November 2013 due to construction. Restrooms or nearby parking will not be available at Muir Beach during this period. Pacific Way is closed except to residents. Check back for updates or call (415)561-3054 More »

  • CAUTION: Post Storm Damage to Coastal Trail

    The Presidio Coastal Trail segment just north of the Pacific Overlook and adjacent to Lincoln Blvd remains CLOSED indefinitely. We have posted signage to alert bicyclists and hikers and with information for safe trail alternatives. More »

Fuels Management

Fuels manangement is the manipulation of vegetation to reduce hazardous fuel and restore ecosystem health. Current fuels management is done in accordance with the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy. The Strategy evolved from the National Fire Plan, which was initiated in 2001 and accelerated fuels management programs on all federal wildlands.

Fuels management involves many different kinds of treatment.

 
Smoke rising from a pile burn at Fort Barry in the Marin Headlands

Smoke from a pile burn in the Marin Headlands

Prescribed Fire
Several prescribed burns may be conducted each year in Marin County areas of the park. Due to the proximity of developed areas, all prescribed fires are designed to be completed within a single day. Each burn unit is approximately 100 acres or less.

The objectives of prescribed fires at GGNRA are to reduce hazardous fuels, control non-native plants, and to enhance biodiversity.

 
Bobcat tractor loading eucalyptus logs into a chipper.

Bobcat tractor loading eucalyptus logs into a chipper

Mechanical Treatments
Chainsaws, mowers, weed wackers, and pruning shears are used to cut vegetation. Chippers are used to reduce the size of the larger debris so it can be used as much or hauled to a composting station.

Did You Know?

Basalt pillows

Geologists sometimes call Franciscan pillow basalt “greenstone” because it contains green minerals formed in an interaction between the basalt and hot, mineral-rich seawater.