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 cell phones and electronics with you. Read article for more details.

Auto-Theft Warning - Only Bring What You Need to the Park

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.

View of the Alcatraz Lighthouse and Island from the water

Alcatraz Island

A corridor extends between two rows and three tiers of cells. Skylights let in light from overhead.

Alcatraz Cellhouse

Alcatraz Rangers and Firetruck

Army Prisoners in the Stockade, 1902

Cook serving Christmas dinner with menu posted above.

Serving the Christmas Meal, c 1951

Access to Alcatraz Island is via commercial ferry service. For ticket reservation call (415) 981-ROCK [415.981.7625] or go to www.alcatrazcitycruises.com. Once on the island you can stay as long as you wish up to the last ferry, which changes seasonally. Alcatraz is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. Be aware that Alcatraz often sells out in advance. In summer and around holidays tickets can sell out a month or more in advance. Tickets go on sale 90 days in advance.

Thanksgiving

Christmas

New Year's

Birdwatching

See the map below to discover where birds often nest on the Island. We recommend bringing a good pair of binoculars and/or a camera to keep your distance from the birds. Also, please keep away from closed areas. From February to September parts of the island are closed to the public, allowing breeding birds to nest. You can visit <a href="https://ebird.org/hotspot/L253857">eBird</a> to view the latest sightings, or if you’re on island, check out the Bird Board at the dock to see the latest official counts  On most days during the nesting season, bird volunteers will be posted around the island with binoculars and scopes to point out our nesting birds, answer any questions you may have about the birds of Alcatraz, and share about the importance of Alcatraz as a seabird colony in an urban area.    The Dock   As soon as you arrive on island, keep your eyes (and ears!) peeled for the raucous calls of Western Gulls, and the high-pitched whistles of Pigeon Guillemots. Alcatraz’s guillemots nest in natural and man-made cavities, so the best chance to see them is when they are on the water, or flying into their nest.  The Roads  While the resident Western Gulls are visible everywhere on the island, the best views of these large gulls incubating their eggs and caring for their chicks are alongside the switchbacks and roads! The gulls of Alcatraz have acclimated to visitors and we can often get a unique view of adorable baby gull chicks without upsetting these protective birds. That being said, please maintain at least 5 feet from any nests, and if the adult gulls squawk at you, please take a step back.  The Gardens  Beautifully maintained by volunteers, the Gardens of Alcatraz provide homes and food for many of our resident birds. In the Rose Garden, the towering Eucalyptus tree provides a safe nesting spot for our tallest bird residents, the Great Blue Herons. Anna’s Hummingbirds pollinate the many species of flowers in the gardens, and fiercely protect their individual flower bushes. In fall and spring, keep an eye out for migratory warblers in the gardens as they hunt for insects and rest up for their migrations.  The Parade Ground  As you make the turn around the Lighthouse, one of the largest nesting colonies on the island will unfold below you. Western Gulls nest on the flat areas of the Parade Ground, while Brandt’s Cormorants nest in the Rubble Piles that once housed prison guards and their families.   The West Road  As you travel down the West Road, look to the west: you’ll see our heron and egret colony in the shrubbery. Snowy Egrets and Black-Crowned Night Herons nest in this densely vegetated location, sometimes nestled so deeply into the plants you can only hear their strange, cartoonish vocalizations.  As you look over the Barker Beach overlook, you will be greeted by the sights, sounds, and yes, smells, of our largest Brandt’s Cormorant colony. Upwards of 10,000 cormorants can inhabit the flat areas and cliffs in this area in the height of the nesting season.  Don’t Forget to Look Up!  One of our most famous residents, Lawrencium (Larry) the banded Peregrine Falcon nests on Alcatraz too! Because peregrines nest in caves and cavities, the Alcatraz Peregrine nest is not visible from any island roadways (although you can peek into the nest through our Peregrine Falcon Nest Livestream). The island’s falcons are best seen perched in high places, such as the Lighthouse, the Watertower, and the Cellhouse. In May and June, keep an eye out for the aerial acrobatics of the adult peregrines and their chicks, who learn how to fly for nearly a month on Alcatraz before leaving for the city.

Black birds stand/sit on the ground. One bird stretches out its wings with seaweed in its mouth.

Birdwatching on Alcatraz Island

<h2>An Island Like No Other </h2> Did you know that Alcatraz is an outstanding place to watch birds? The island is home to upwards of 20,000 birds, many of them <a href="https://www.nps.gov/alca/learn/nature/waterbirds.htm">waterbirds</a>. You can start looking for birds on your ferry trip. In fact, as soon as the boat leaves the dock, you can start birdwatching! Keep an eye out for murres, grebes and ducks in the waters, and brown pelicans flying overhead! When you reach the island, listen for the sounds of Pigeon Guillemots and Western Gulls. We recommend bringing a good pair of binoculars and/or a camera to keep your distance from the birds. Also, please keep away from closed areas. From February to September parts of the island are closed to the public, allowing breeding birds to nest. You can visit <a href="https://ebird.org/hotspot/L253857">eBird</a> to view the latest sightings, or if you’re on island, check out the Bird Board at the dock to see the latest official counts.  On most days during the nesting season, bird volunteers will be posted around the island with binoculars and scopes to point out our nesting birds, answer any questions you may have about the birds of Alcatraz, and share about the importance of Alcatraz as a seabird colony in an urban area. While you can see birds anywhere on Alcatraz, several locations offer the best chance to see the different nesting colonies on the island!   The Dock   As soon as you arrive on island, keep your eyes (and ears!) peeled for the raucous calls of Western Gulls, and the high-pitched whistles of Pigeon Guillemots. Alcatraz’s guillemots nest in natural and man-made cavities, so the best chance to see them is when they are on the water, or flying into their nest.  The Roads  While the resident Western Gulls are visible everywhere on the island, the best views of these large gulls incubating their eggs and caring for their chicks are alongside the switchbacks and roads! The gulls of Alcatraz have acclimated to visitors and we can often get a unique view of adorable baby gull chicks without upsetting these protective birds. That being said, please maintain at least 5 feet from any nests, and if the adult gulls squawk at you, please take a step back.  The Gardens  Beautifully maintained by volunteers, the Gardens of Alcatraz provide homes and food for many of our resident birds. In the Rose Garden, the towering Eucalyptus tree provides a safe nesting spot for our tallest bird residents, the Great Blue Herons. Anna’s Hummingbirds pollinate the many species of flowers in the gardens, and fiercely protect their individual flower bushes. In fall and spring, keep an eye out for migratory warblers in the gardens as they hunt for insects and rest up for their migrations.  The Parade Ground  As you make the turn around the Lighthouse, one of the largest nesting colonies on the island will unfold below you. Western Gulls nest on the flat areas of the Parade Ground, while Brandt’s Cormorants nest in the Rubble Piles that once housed prison guards and their families.   West Road  As you travel down the West Road, look to the west: you’ll see our heron and egret colony in the shrubbery. Snowy Egrets and Black-Crowned Night Herons nest in this densely vegetated location, sometimes nestled so deeply into the plants you can only hear their strange, cartoonish vocalizations. As you look over the Barker Beach overlook, you will be greeted by the sights, sounds, and yes, smells, of our largest Brandt’s Cormorant colony. Upwards of 10,000 cormorants can inhabit the flat areas and cliffs in this area in the height of the nesting season.  Don’t Forget to Look Up!  One of our most famous residents, Lawrencium (Larry) the banded Peregrine Falcon nests on Alcatraz too! Because peregrines nest in caves and cavities, the Alcatraz Peregrine nest is not visible from any island roadways (although you can peek into the nest through our Peregrine Falcon Nest Livestream). The island’s falcons are best seen perched in high places, such as the Lighthouse, the Watertower, and the Cellhouse. In May and June, keep an eye out for the aerial acrobatics of the adult peregrines and their chicks, who learn how to fly for nearly a month on Alcatraz before leaving for the city.  Here is a list of the most common birds on Alcatraz, where their nests are located, and when they are found on the island: In trees/bushes Anna’s Hummingbird: nests and winters on Alcatraz; September - March Black-crowned Night Heron: nests on Alcatraz; March - September Black Phoebe: nests on Alcatraz; visible year-round Great Blue Heron: nests on Alcatraz; January - July Snowy Egret: nests on Alcatraz; April – September Song Sparrow: nests on Alcatraz; visible year-round White-crowned Sparrow: winter resident On the ground Black Oystercatcher: nests on Alcatraz; visible year-round Brandt’s Cormorant: nests on Alcatraz; February - September Canada Goose: nests on Alcatraz; March - June Western Gull: nests on Alcatraz; visible year-round In caves/crevices Peregrine Falcon: nests on Alcatraz; visible year-round Pigeon Guillemot: nests on Alcatraz; April - August Flying Overhead: Brown Pelicans (flying past): rarely land on Alcatraz; common June - January

<a href="http://alcatrazcruises.com/">Purchasing Tickets</a> is highly recommend in advance. The sole concessionaire contracted with the National Park Service to sell tickets is Alcatraz City Cruises LLC. You can purchase your tickets through them online at <a href="http://alcatrazcruises.com/">Alcatraz City Cruises</a> or call (415) 981-7625.

Birds are most active and breeding/fledging between February and September. Fall migration species are active August – November, and wintering species are presents September – March. 

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.

Birdwatching on Alcatraz

Birds

Museum Exhibits

This building contains exhibits on Prison Labor and the commemorative exhibit, <a href="https://www.nps.gov/goga/redpower50.htm">Red Power on Alcatraz: Perspectives 50 Years Later</a>. Red Power on Alcatraz tells the story of their 19 -month <a href="https://www.nps.gov/alca/learn/historyculture/we-hold-the-rock.htm">Occupation of Alcatraz</a>, a watershed moment in the history of Alcatraz Island, the Native American civil rights movement, and our nation.

A long building next to a rocky plant covered slope, sitting in front of a large body of water.

New Industries Building

Visit the New Industries Building. This building historically held workshops and laundry facilities where men incarcerated on Alcatraz labored at various tasks.  Today this large open space contains exhibits on Prison Labor, waterbirds - <a href="https://www.nps.gov/alca/birdsofalcatraz.htm">Birds in a Changing Climate</a>, and the commemorative exhibit, <a href="https://www.nps.gov/goga/redpower50.htm">Red Power on Alcatraz: Perspectives 50 Years Later</a>. Red Power on Alcatraz tells the story of their 19 -month <a href="https://www.nps.gov/alca/learn/historyculture/we-hold-the-rock.htm">Occupation of Alcatraz</a>, a watershed moment in the history of Alcatraz Island, the Native American civil rights movement, and our nation.

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 moment in the history of Alcatraz Island, the Native American civil rights move

Visit the New Industries Building

Incarceration

Native American Heritage

View the island's restored Diamond T Fire Engine. 

Parks Rangers standing on and around a red fire engine.

Alcatraz Fire Engine

Fire has been a threat on Alcatraz Island since the construction of the fortress in the 1850s. Fear that the fort’s wooden prison buildings would burn with the prisoners inside led the military to construct the concrete prison building in the early 1900s. The fire engine arrived on the island in 1934 via the Panama Canal for the newly renovated federal penitentiary. The vehicle was manufactured by the Diamond T Motor Car Company of Chicago, Illinois and the Howe Fire Apparatus Company of Anderson, Indiana, which built the “Defender” pumper. The vehicle has a 130 horsepower Hercules engine and can pump 500 gallons of water per minute. It is designed specifically for the island, with a narrower wheel base to make the sharp turns. The engine saw action a number of times during the penitentiary years for small fires on the island like one in 1947 in the laundry of the New Industries Building where a large pile of towels had caught fire. Prison guards manned the Diamond T and raced to quench the flames. One night in 1939, the siren sounded and three guards sped up the hill in the engine only to learn that the alarm was for an escape attempt! The engine also flashed its lights and blared its sirens to celebrate New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July for the island’s residents. The Diamond T was in sorry shape, vandalized and damaged by the elements, when the National Park Service arrived on the island in 1972. In 2003, the National Park Service and the ferry company spent $100,000 to restore the vehicle. The work was done by men incarcerated at Indian Springs State Prison near Las Vegas, Nevada. The wooden ladder was donated by the San Francisco Fire Department.

Restored in 2003, this historic Diamond T Fire Engine can be viewed in the garage of the Quartermaster Building.

View the Alcatraz Fire Engine

Self-Guided Tours - Walking

The self-guided tour is available on a hand held device. The narrators guide you from stop to stop. The device permits you to pause and rewind at your leisure. The tour is available in eleven languages including: English, American Sign Langauge, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Mandarin.

Content may not be suitable for all ages. Tour contains discussions of death and violence. 

The tours runtime is approximately 30 minutes. However, your time spent in the cellhouse may vary depending on the length of line to start your audio tour. 

The Cellhouse Tour costs $12, which is included in the price of your ferry ticket. 

A open hall extended between 2 rows & 3 tiers of cells. Skylights let in light overhead.

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. This award-winning tour guides visitors through the Alcatraz Cellhouse. Along the way you'll hear stories of prison operations, escape attempts, and the lives of the men who lived and worked among the walls of this building. 

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. This award winning tour guides you through the Alcatraz Cellhouse and is available in eleven languages.

Tour the Cellhouse

Front-Country Hiking

Most folks can walk the Agave Trail in a half hour, but plan longer time if you'd like to stop and enjoy the views. A variety of benches along the trail provide opportunities to rest and take in the scenery. 

Tall plants surround a set of stairs leading towards water. Across the water is a city skyline.

Agave Trail

The Agave Trail starts from the South end of the Dock, wraps around the Southern end of the island and climbs a set of stairs up to the Parade Ground. It can be accessed an either end. 

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. Keep your eyes peeled for the islands abundant bird life.  This trail heads South from the islands dock and leads you around the southern end of the island, before climbing onto the historic Parade Ground. The agave or century plants found along this trail were planted by the U.S. Army. The rubble piles you see here were once Apartments that housed Correctional Officers and their families. These buildings were torn down by the General Services Administration following the Indiand Occupation. Today, the Parade Ground is home to the largest colony of nesting Western Gulls in the San Francisco Bay Area. Black Crowned Night Herons, Snowy Egrets and Great Blue Herons all can be found roosting amidst the rubble piles.  This trail is only open outside of these birds nesting season. It typically opens in late October and closes with the return of the birds in mid January.

<a href="https://www.nps.gov/alca/planyourvisit/pets.htm">Pets are not permitted</a> on Alcatraz Island.

This trail is open outside of <a href="https://www.nps.gov/alca/learn/nature/waterbirds.htm">Alcatraz Island's waterbird's</a> nesting season. It typically opens in late October and closes with the return of the birds in mid January.

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. Keep your eyes peeled for the islands abundant bird life.

Alert: Auto-Theft Warning - Only Bring What You Need to the Park

Alcatraz Island

Overview

Hours

Fees & Passes

Map

Things To Do

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Birdwatching on Alcatraz

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Visit the New Industries Building

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View the Alcatraz Fire Engine

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Tour the Cellhouse

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Fees

Explore the Agave Trail

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