National park · United States
Angel Island State Park
Go for a full day, not a quick stop: ferry out early, walk the Perimeter Road or climb to Mt. Livermore, and be back at the dock for the last boat — the island has no road bridge and no overnight parking.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
3 km²1 sq mi
approximate
Established
1955
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
- Marin County ↗Muir Woods parking and shuttle seats need a reservation; book before you drive.
- Marin County ↗Clipper card works on Golden Gate Ferry, Golden Gate Transit, Marin Transit and SMART.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 3 km²1 sq mi
- Land area of the island; the state park boundary is slightly larger (check).
- Established
- 1955
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- San Francisco
Angel Island sits in the middle of San Francisco Bay, reachable only by ferry or private boat. It was a Miwok seasonal camp, then a US Army post, then from 1910 to 1940 the West Coast immigration station where tens of thousands of arrivals, mostly from China and Japan, were inspected and sometimes held for months. The detention barracks and its carved wall poems are the reason most people come; the 9 km Perimeter Road and the summit trail are the reason to stay all day.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1955.
Size and age
3 km²1 sq mi · national park since 1955
Land area of the island; the state park boundary is slightly larger (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: San Francisco.
Why go
- The immigration station museums: detention barracks, wall poems, and the hospital exhibits.
- A 360° bay view from Mt. Livermore, with the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the city skyline in one frame.
- A car-free island — the only traffic is park vehicles and the shuttle.
- Ferries from two sides of the bay, so you can arrive from San Francisco and leave toward Tiburon or the reverse.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanRain likely; ferries run reduced winter schedules
- FebWettest stretch; trails muddy
- MarWildflowers start; showers taper
- AprGreen hills, clear spells, mild walking
- MayDry, warm, long daylight
- JunMorning fog often burns off by midday
- JulWarm; fog can sit on the summit
- AugWarm and dry; busiest ferries
- SepClearest bay views of the year
- OctDry, mild, thinner crowds
- NovCool and often clear; shorter days
- DecRain and holiday ferry demand
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harbor seals and sea lions offshoreAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Deer on the trails, especially early morningAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Spring wildflowers in yellow, purple and orangeMar–May | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Coyotes (present since around 2017)All year · Keep distance and never feed them. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From San Francisco (Embarcadero)
Golden Gate Ferry to the island landing; pay with Clipper or at the ticket office.
30 min
Open the page →
From Tiburon (Marin County)
Angel Island Ferry from Tiburon, Wednesday–Sunday; book ahead, no Clipper.
10–15 min
Open the page →
From Bay Area by transit
BART to Embarcadero for the San Francisco ferry, or drive to Tiburon and park near the ferry dock.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry landing and east shore | Dock, café, Conservancy store, bike rental, shuttle stop, picnic tables. | Open to all arrivals. |
| Immigration station (north side) | Detention barracks, hospital museum, wall poems, the 1.5 km walk from the landing.Detention barracks, hospital museum, wall poems, the 0.9 mi walk from the landing. | Museums open Wednesday–Sunday, roughly 11:00–14:30; grounds open daily.Museums open Wednesday–Sunday, roughly 11:00 AM–2:30 PM; grounds open daily. |
| Camp Reynolds and the west shore | Former army post, batteries, and the quieter side of the Perimeter Road. | Open; some buildings occasionally staffed for living-history days. |
| Mt. Livermore summit | The island's high point, reached by trail from the Perimeter Road. | Open; foot traffic only on the upper trail. |
Sketch map
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Gate Ferry, San Francisco (Embarcadero) to Angel Island | US$9.5–15.5 | person each way | 2026 estimate; the lower fare is with a Clipper card, children 4 and under free. No tickets sold on the island. |
| Angel Island Ferry, Tiburon to Angel Island | US$18 | adult round trip | 2026 estimate; seniors about $16, children 6–12 about $15, ages 3–5 about $6, 2 and under free. $1 extra for a bicycle. Clipper not accepted. |
| Detention Barracks Museum | US$5 | adult | 2026 estimate; youth 5–17 about $3. Immigration Museum is free. |
| Shuttle from the ferry landing to the museums | US$5–10 | person | 2026 estimate; $5 one way, $10 round trip. |
| One-hour guided shuttle tour of historic sites | US$18 | adult | 2026 estimate; seniors about $17, children 4–12 about $12. |
| Bicycle rental near the landing | US$16–26 | hour | 2026 estimate; mountain bikes about $16/h, e-bikes about $26/h. |
| Camping (environmental sites) | US$30–40 | site per night | 2026 estimate; reserve through the state park system (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Ferry ticket permit or guide
Camping reservation permit or guide
Bicycle on the ferry no permit
Park rules
- Dogs
- Not allowed anywhere on the island, including on the ferries' island service.
- Feeding wildlife
- Do not feed coyotes, deer, raccoons or birds, and do not leave food scraps behind.
- Last ferry
- There is no lodging outside the campground and no bridge; miss the last boat and you stay until morning.
- Bikes
- Allowed on the Perimeter Road and marked trails only; not on the summit trail.
- Fires
- Only in designated campground fire rings; no fires elsewhere on the island.
Where to stay
In the park
Environmental campsites
Walk-in sites on the island; reserve ahead and carry in everything you need.
Near the park
Tiburon
Small hotels and inns a short walk from the ferry dock.
Near the park
San Francisco
Full range of hotels; the Embarcadero ferry is the easiest access.
Safety
Missing the last ferry medium
Heat and exposure on the summit trail medium
Slippery trails after rain medium
Coyotes low
Accessibility
- The ferry landing, café, store and picnic area are step-free from the dock.
- The shuttle to the museums and the one-hour guided tour suit visitors who cannot walk the 1.5 km each way.The shuttle to the museums and the one-hour guided tour suit visitors who cannot walk the 0.9 mi each way.
- The Perimeter Road is paved but hilly; the summit trail is not accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out all rubbish — the island has limited waste service.
- Stay on marked trails to protect the grassland and the historic sites.
- Buy at the Conservancy store; proceeds go to the state park.
- Do not feed wildlife, and keep food in sealed bags at the campground.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Angel Island?
There is no separate island entrance fee — you pay for the ferry. From San Francisco, Golden Gate Ferry is about $15.50 each way, or about $9.50 with a Clipper card (2026 estimate); children 4 and under free. From Tiburon, Angel Island Ferry is about $18 adult round trip (2026 estimate). The Immigration Museum is free; the Detention Barracks Museum is about $5 for adults and $3 for youth 5–17.
What are the best hikes in Angel Island?
The Perimeter Road loop, about 9 km (5 mi) with gentle grades and bay views the whole way, is the easy classic. The Mt. Livermore trail is the steep one, 1.5–2 hours up, with the best 360° view. A short walk of about 1.5 km (1 mi) from the landing takes you to the immigration station museums.
When is the best time to visit Angel Island?
April, May, September and October give the best mix of dry trails, mild temperatures and clear bay views. Summer is warm but morning fog can hide the summit. Winter is quieter and greener but wetter, and ferry schedules are thinner.
Can I drive to Angel Island?
No. The island has no bridge and no public parking. You arrive by ferry from San Francisco or Tiburon, or by private boat, which can dock near the ferry landing.
Can I bring a dog to Angel Island?
No. Dogs are not allowed on the island.
Do I need to book the ferry in advance?
The Tiburon ferry should be booked ahead, especially at weekends. The San Francisco ferry sells tickets at the Embarcadero office or takes Clipper, but popular morning sailings fill in summer.
Can I camp on Angel Island?
Yes, at the environmental campsites; reserve ahead through the state park system and carry in water and food. There is no other lodging on the island.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go