Learn About the Park

Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which includes Alcatraz Island, was established by Congress in 1972. Golden Gate offers a national park experience to a diverse urban population, while preserving and interpreting the park's outstanding natural, historic, scenic, and recreational values.

Alcatraz Island welcomes over 1.5 million visitors a year. The island's layered history offers visitors an opportunity to explore the U.S. Army and military prison period through the federal penitentiary era and the American Indian occupation. Alcatraz Island provides a powerful opportunity to encourage visitors to contemplate their personal views on crime and punishment, the judicial system, national defense, and freedom.

Alcatraz Island is also a sister park to San Lucas Island in the Republic of Costa Rica. Learn more about the international partnership and what makes Golden Gate NRA special.

Learn About a Topic

Turning memory into action
History & Culture

Explore the complex human stories of Alcatraz Island, from the military prison to the Native American Occupation.
Red Power on Alcatraz
American Indian Occupation, 1969-2019

In 1969 Indigenous activists occupied Alcatraz for 19 months. Learn more about the 50th anniversary and commemorative exhibit.
Access Your Park
Visitors With Disabilities Information

Find out about accessible features on Alcatraz Island.
Parks as classrooms
Education

Education programs for middle and high school, committed to inclusive and relevant inquiry-based learning.
Key Documents & Park Mission
Management

Learn about the mission and structure, and link to key information and documents.
Get the Big Picture
Visit the Golden Gate NRA web site

Learn what else you can do at Golden Gate.