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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.
Check out Fees & Passes to find out what park fees you should expect and where during your visit. Check out Permit & Reservation if you are looking for weddings, picnics, filming, athletic events, festivals, photography, or even camping within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Alcatraz has a many-layered history: Civil War fortress, military prison, federal prison, bird sanctuary, first lighthouse on the West Coast, and the birthplace of the American Indian Red Power movement: These are just a few of the fascinating stories of the Rock.
Visiting Alcatraz Island is one of the most rewarding experiences of any trip to San Francisco. However, visitors who wish to visit the prison and island grounds must secure reservations.
Welcome to Alcatraz Island! Alcatraz is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which is one of more than 400 national park units across the country. Plan on spending a couple of hours on the island. Take in scenic views of the San Francisco skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Things To Do. Visiting Alcatraz is partially a self-guided experience which you can do at your own pace. National Park Service staff and volunteers offer free interpretive programs throughout the day. Once on the island, you can stay as long as you wish.
Even if you've been to the island many times before, try a visit from late winter through early summer with an eye for birds, and you may see Alcatraz in a whole new way! Visit the Information Station at the dock and take a Birds on the Rock checklist and learn more about these natural treasures.
From its early days as a military fortress and prison to its most infamous tenure as a federal penitentiary, Alcatraz looms large in the American psyche as a place of contradiction, violence and competing historical narratives.
Alcatraz Island Map. This is a general map of the island showing various structures. For your safety, please listen to the announcements at the dock, since various areas of the island are closed to the public depending on the season. Open the PDF of the Island map by clicking here.
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.