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Golden Gate National Recreation Area: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a unit of the National Park System in California[5]. NPS lists it as a fee-free park with no entrance fee[1].
Entrance fees and passes
The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for Golden Gate National Recreation Area[1]. Some tours, campgrounds or permits inside a park can still have their own fees.
When to visit and hours
NPS says most areas of this urban park can be reached 24 hours a day, while most parking lots are open from sunrise to sunset[6]. Listed day use areas close 1 hour after sunset[7]. Muir Woods National Monument is open daily, but its hours change through the year, so check its own website[8]. In 2025, August was the busiest month with 1,756,832 recreation visits, and December was the quietest with 959,994[2]. NPS describes winter as cool with sporadic rain, and says summer fog covers most coastal areas by July[9]. NPS also notes clear skies in September and October[9].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 1,050,437 |
| February | 1,001,568 |
| March | 1,222,986 |
| April | 1,421,322 |
| May | 1,452,809 |
| June | 1,566,690 |
| July | 1,688,027 |
| August | 1,756,832 |
| September | 1,341,071 |
| October | 1,228,178 |
| November | 1,058,762 |
| December | 959,994 |
Camping
NPS and Recreation.gov list 5 campgrounds here[4]. Haypress Campground and Kirby Cove Campground each have 6 sites, Hawk Campground and Bicentennial Campground have 3 each, and Rob Hill Campground is also listed[4]. NPS lists nightly individual-site fees from $25 to $40[4].
- Haypress Campground, 6 sites[4]
- Kirby Cove Campground, 6 sites
- Hawk Campground, 3 sites
- Bicentennial Campground, 3 sites
- Rob Hill Campground
Pets and dogs
Under the national NPS pet rule, where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet[10]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches, with service animals excepted[10]. NPS marks pets as permitted on 14 of its 23 listed things to do, and each park can close more areas to pets[11][10].
Before you go
- Muir Woods National Monument requires parking or shuttle reservations for all vehicles and shuttle riders, per the NPS fee note[12].
- Muir Woods entrance fees can be bought in advance with that reservation or on arrival at the visitor center, and annual passes may cover them[12].
- NPS lists 2 of its 23 things to do as needing a reservation[11].
- NPS lists 4 visitor centers[13].
- Confirm fees and hours on the official NPS park page before you go.
Questions people ask
- Is there an entrance fee for Golden Gate National Recreation Area?
- NPS lists it as a fee-free park with no entrance fee[1]. Muir Woods National Monument has its own reservation and entrance fee notes[12].
- What is the busiest month?
- In 2025, August had the most recreation visits at 1,756,832[2]. December had the fewest at 959,994[2].
Facts and sources
- NPS lists Golden Gate National Recreation Area as a fee-free park: there is no entrance fee. National Park Service
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 13,712,614, 2022: 15,638,911, 2023: 14,953,882, 2024: 17,187,508, 2025: 15,748,676. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Campgrounds in Golden Gate National Recreation Area (list on this page). National Park Service
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Recreation Area) in California. National Park Service
- Operating hours, Parking Lots: Although this urban park is accessible 24 hours a day in most areas, most parking lots are open between sunrise to sunset. National Park Service
- Operating hours, Day Use Areas: These areas are open from 6 a.m. until 1 hour after sunset. Marin County: - Conzelman Rd (west, between traffic circle and Field Rd.) - Kirby Cove (except registered campers with permits) - Muir Beach - Muir Beach Overlook -... National Park Service
- Operating hours, Muir Woods National Monument: Muir Woods National Monument is open daily with hours varying throughout the year. Please check the Muir Woods National Monument park website for the most current, up to date information. In accordance with... National Park Service
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Golden Gate National Recreation Area. National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
- NPS lists 23 things to do at Golden Gate National Recreation Area: Hawk Hill Birdwatching, Rodeo Lagoon Birdwatching, Nike Missile Site in the Marin Headlands, Visit the New Industries Building, Hike the Bolinas Ridge Trail, Walk the Cross Marin Trail,... National Park Service
- Parking or transportation fee note from NPS: Parking/shuttle reservations are required for all vehicles and shuttle riders visiting Muir Woods National Monument. Entrance fees may be purchased in advance with your reservation via GoMuirWoods.com or upon... National Park Service
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 4 (William Penn Mott Jr. Presidio Visitor Center, Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, Lands End Lookout Visitor Center, Muir Woods National Monument Visitor Center). National Park Service