Frequently Asked Questions

This page contains the answers to some of the questions the staff at our park regularly receive. If you are seeking information that is not available on this page, please use the search function to look elsewhere on our website.

Are any areas of the park closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

At this time, all areas of our park remain open.

Is anything going on in the park that might impact my visit?

Our park is made up of more than 80,000 acres. Maintenance projects, including those that may limit access to park sites and facilities, occur routinely. Please visit our Alerts & Conditions page for the latest information on changes to park operations. You can also follow our park advisory Twitter account @GGNRANPSAlerts.

How can I get passport stamps, brochures, Junior Ranger booklets, maps, other park publications?

We offer many interpretive materials on our website including passport stamps, brochures, maps, Junior Ranger booklets, and other park publications.

Please refer to the above links and use digital versions of our park materials whenever possible. If you need something besides the electronic version, please email us your contact information. Please do not send cash or checks or self-addressed stamped envelopes. We will send items to you as a public service.

If you do not have access to a printer or otherwise require a physical copy of these park materials, please contact us. If we have it in stock, we will mail you the item. Unfortunately, we cannot mail items outside the United States.

Am I allowed to have a beach bonfire?

Recreational fires are allowed at Ocean Beach (March 1-October 31) and Muir Beach (year-round) only in provided fire rings in accordance with park rules. Visit the Recreational Fire Regulations page to learn more.

What activities in the park require a permit?

Some outdoor activities require a special use permit. These activities include wedding ceremonies in the park, picnics with more than 50 people, commercial filming and photography, and athletic contests such as races or triathlons. To find out more, visit the Special Park Use Permits page.

Where are the park’s rules and regulations listed?

Most questions about park policy can be answered by reading Title 36 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) or the most recent version of our park’s Superintendent’s Compendium. The Laws and Policies page contains links to these documents and other relevant reference materials.

Do I need to pay an entrance fee to visit the park?

None of the park sites at Golden Gate National Recreation Area charge an entrance fee, however, visitors to Alcatraz Island must purchase a ferry ticket for transportation. For information about other fees, visit our Fees and Passes page.

Muir Woods National Monument requires an entrance fee for individuals 16 years of age and older. Parking reservations are always required. Visit GoMuirWoods.com.

Fort Point National Historic Site does not charge an entrance fee.

How do I report a lost item?

Please report your lost item to the property office at US Park Police at 415-561-5107. For more information, please visit the Property Recovery page of the United States Park Police website.

What should I do if I see wildlife in the park?

Human-wildlife interaction can cause serious problems. Please view wildlife from a distance and never feed a wild animal. For more information, see our Wildlife Viewing Guidelines webpage.

How can I volunteer?

Please visit our Volunteer webpage to learn about opportunities to give back to the park.

Who manages Golden Gate National Recreation Area?

Golden Gate National Recreation Area is managed by the National Park Service alongside two other park units: Muir Woods National Monument and Fort Point National Historic Site.

The Presidio of San Francisco, an area within Golden Gate National Recreation Area, is co-managed by the National Park Service and the Presidio Trust, an independent federal agency.

The National Park Service also works closely with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, which serves as the park’s primary programmatic partner.

Golden Gate Park is not connected to or affiliated with Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It is managed by San Francisco Recreation and Parks.

How can I access park records or historical data?

Our park has the largest museum collection in the National Park System. Our Park Archive and Records Center contains over 5 million documents, photographic images, oral histories and maps that document all areas and facets of the history associated with Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Some of these materials are available online, while others are only available for access in-person. For more information, please see our Archives & Records page.

Additionally, historical photos and pieces of park history can be found in many places across our website. Please use the search function to find what you are looking for.

If you are searching for contemporary records, please visit our FOIA: Reading Room page, which contains documents from recent Freedom of Information Act requests.

How do I know if a particular location is part of the park?

Golden Gate National Recreation borders property managed by municipal and state authorities. If you are looking to determine the jurisdiction of a particular location, please use the California Protected Areas Database mapping tool.