News Release

Golden Gate National Recreation Area Updates Areas Accessible to Public During Government Shutdown

Date: December 24, 2018
Contact: GGNRA Public Affairs, 415-561-4730

San Francisco, CA– During the shutdown of the federal government due to lapse of appropriations, national parks, including Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Muir Woods National Monument, will remain as accessible as possible while still following all applicable laws and procedures. Park roads, lookouts, trails and open-air memorials at Golden Gate National Recreation Area will remain accessible to visitors, but emergency and rescue services will be limited. Muir Woods National Monument and Alcatraz Island will remain open. Fort Point National Historic Site is closed.

Said park Communications Director Charlie Strickfaden, "There will be no NPS-provided visitor services at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, including public information, restrooms, trash collection, and facilities and roads maintenance. Some services are provided by concessioners or park partners. We are working hard to comply with law and directives and still provide access to offer a limited experience to Bay Area visitors."



Because of the federal government shutdown, NPS social media and websites are not being monitored or updated and may not reflect current conditions. All park programs have been canceled, including Ranger walks and talks, and NPS staff led volunteer programs.

Golden Gate NRA will not be providing services for NPS-operated campgrounds, including maintenance, bathrooms, check-in/check-out, and reservations. Visitors already at Golden Gate NRA campgrounds will not be asked to leave unless safety concerns require such action. Visitors holding campground reservations should be aware that there is no guarantee their reserved campsite will be ready and available if they arrive during a government shutdown.

Park Areas Open Include:

Muir Woods National Monument and Alcatraz Island are open. National Park Service staff at these sites are being paid through private donation agreements from concessions that provide services at these sites. The role of NPS staff is to provide for the safety of park visitors while services are being provided by partners.

At Muir Woods the parking concessioner continues to manage the parking reservation system, and food and retail amenities are available. Muir Woods National Monument requires a reservation for parking or shuttle, and entrance fees will be collected.
 

Alcatraz Cruises continues to operate the ferry to Alcatraz Island. Park visitors with Day Tour tickets are able to visit Alcatraz Island. Automatic refunds will be given for "Behind The Scenes Tours" or "Night Tours" on Alcatraz Island. Supplemental services continue to be provided by partner staff from the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy at both Alcatraz and Muir Woods.

All Presidio Trust areas are open (they are operated under a different fiscal authority), including the Presidio Visitor Center. Open areas of Ocean Beach, Crissy Field, Lands End, and the Marin Headlands are also open.

Marin Headlands traffic is being managed under a one-way traffic plan to ensure visitor safety and access by emergency vehicles. Vehicle traffic through the Baker-Barry Tunnel is one-way in the westbound direction. Conzelman Road will convert from two-way travel to one-way travel in the eastbound direction between McCullough Road and Alexander Avenue, with a portion of the remaining travel lane dedicated for visitor parking.

Park Areas Closed Include:
 

Areas closed at the Marin Headlands include the Point Bonita Lighthouse, Nike Missile Site and Visitor Center. 

The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is also closed, including the Visitor Center, Maritime Museum, Hyde Street Pier, and Municipal Pier.

Additional Information:

For updates on the shutdown, please visit www.doi.gov/shutdown.

Media inquiries should be directed to [e-mail].