Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island is part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park System. It is not counted as a unit of its own.
Alcatraz reveals stories of American incarceration, justice, and our common humanity. This small island was once a fort, a military prison, and a maximum security federal penitentiary. In 1969, the Indians of All Tribes occupied Alcatraz for 19 months in the name of freedom and Native American civil rights. We invite you to explore Alcatraz's complex history and natural beauty.
About under an hour from San Francisco and 2 hours from San Jose by car.
Alerts
- ClosureNPS ↗Alcatraz Island to Temporarily Close in Fall for Dock Repairs
Date Posted: 9/28/2026 Alcatraz Island, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, is scheduled to temporarily close beginning on Oct. 26, 2026, while crews replace pilings that secure the ferry dock to the island. Repairs are expected to be completed by Nov. 18, 2026. For more information, please see news release linked here.
- CautionNPS ↗Auto-Theft Warning - Only Bring What You Need to the Park
You can help prevent vehicle break-ins in parking lots. Before leaving your car to catch the ferry: 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.
- InformationHospital wing, dining hall, shower room closed for rehabilitation work
Until approximately 2028, a portion of the cell house will be closed to visitors for important historic preservation work. We apologize for any inconvenience. Learn more at https://www.nps.gov/alca/alcatraz-historic-preservation-projects.htm
Fees & passes
Free. No entrance fee here.
Ferry tickets are required to visit Alcatraz Island. Make reservations in advance, especially during the summer and around holidays. For ferry schedules, prices, and to purchase tickets, please visit the Alcatraz City Cruises website.
Hours
| Alcatraz Island | Varies by day ▾
|
Hours by date. Standard hours apply on every date not listed.
| Dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| Standard hoursNow |
|
| Nov 26, 2026Thanksgiving | Closed |
| Dec 25, 2026Christmas | Closed |
| Jan 1, 2027New Year's | Closed |
Visitor centers
- Dock Ranger Station ↗Passport stamp
The ranger station at the Alcatraz Island Dock is staffed at all times. Staff here can help you with directions, information, Special Ranger and Junior Ranger programs, emergency assistance, and more.
Explore
Things to do
- Visit the New Industries Building30-60 Minutes
Visit the New Industries Building to see exhibits on Prison Labor and the commemorative exhibit, Red Power on Alcatraz: Perspectives 50 Years Later. Red Power on Alcatraz tells the story of their 19 -month Occupation of Alcatraz, a watershed…
Opens on the Park Service site - Birdwatching on Alcatraz30-90 Minutes
Alcatraz Island is home to thousands of birds. Bring your binoculars and the NPS app to learn about our avian friends and where to look for them.
Opens on the Park Service site - View the Alcatraz Fire Engine15 Minutes
Restored in 2003, this historic Diamond T Fire Engine can be viewed in the garage of the Quartermaster Building.
Opens on the Park Service site - Tour the Cellhouse45-60 Minutes
Listen to the voices of formerly incarcerated men and the correctional officers who guarded them, as they tell you the stories of United States Penitentiary: Alcatraz.
Opens on the Park Service site - Explore the Agave Trail30-60 Minutes
Birds, tidepools and stunning views of the San Francisco can all be found along a short walk on the Agave Trail. This trail offers a chance to step away from the crowds and take a walk on the wild side.
Opens on the Park Service site
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Events
- 11:00 AM · freeNew Industries Building
- ALCATRAZ CLOSED12/25· runs through Dec 25 · free
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
Historic landmarks nearby
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Public land nearby
Distances are approximate. Wilderness Atlas publishes a center point and an acreage for each area rather than a boundary, so each area is treated here as a circle of the same size and the figure is the gap to that circle.
Guidebooks for California's national parks
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Local history books for Alcatraz Island
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Activities
Activity guides for this park Birdwatching in the national parks · Wildlife watching in the national parks
Weather & climate
The climate on Alcatraz is unpredictable and can change suddenly. Cold, foggy mornings may give way to sunny afternoons, which in turn can shift quickly back to more fog and blustery winds. The most pleasant weather usually occurs in spring and fall. Summers tend to be cool and foggy, winter is our rainy season. Temperatures on Alcatraz seldom rise above 75°F (24°C) or fall below 38°
Questions people ask
Does Alcatraz Island charge an entrance fee?
No. Alcatraz Island is free to enter, though some tours and ticketed sites inside charge separately.
Source: National Park Service
What are the hours at Alcatraz Island?
Hours differ by day of the week. The full schedule is under Hours on this page. Dated exceptions are listed under Hours.
Source: National Park Service
Is anything closed at Alcatraz Island right now?
3 active alerts as of October 14, 2026: Alcatraz Island to Temporarily Close in Fall for Dock Repairs; Auto-Theft Warning - Only Bring What You Need to the Park; and more.
Source: Alerts
Is there cell service at Alcatraz Island?
At the park's reference point, FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE. No reported coverage for AT&T and T-Mobile. Coverage inside the park varies by location.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is the weather like at Alcatraz Island?
The climate on Alcatraz is unpredictable and can change suddenly. Cold, foggy mornings may give way to sunny afternoons, which in turn can shift quickly back to more fog and blustery winds.
Source: Weather & climate
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
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