Fort Point National Historic Site

10/05/2026

Today’s homework: thank a teacher.

National parks are places where students can learn about history by standing where it happened, explore science by observing nature, and discover stories that help us better understand the people and places that shaped our world.

Behind those experiences are teachers helping students ask questions, make connections, and learn about the world around them.

On World Teachers’ Day, we celebrate the educators who inspire curiosity, encourage exploration and remind us that learning can happen just about anywhere. (Including places with a really good view.)

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/teachers/index.htm

NPS Image

10/05/2026

Every day from October 12 to November 5, 2026, visit Mission San José's granary during park hours (9am-5pm) to view the mission descendant community's family ofrendas.

Ofrendas are an essential part of Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead. The word ofrenda means offering in Spanish. They are also called "altares" or altars, but not for worship. These altars are not only full of family pictures, but of symbols and meaning, honoring the ancestors who have passed, and offering them items of the celebration such a "pan de mu**to" and marigold flowers.

NPS Photo

10/04/2026

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” — Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables

And we’re rather glad there are national parks to experience them in. Fall is a great time to get outside and enjoy the spectacular spectacle (say that five times fast) of changing leaves. There is plenty of room for imagination when you find yourself surrounded by forests painted in brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold. In our experience, you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will. So consider this your invitation to find a little wonder, a little enchantment, and perhaps a kindred spirit among the trees.

Forests, woods, and shrublands in national parks put on their autumn colors from September through December. There’s a whole world of beauty waiting to be explored!

Image 1: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Image 2: Great Smoky Mountains NP
Image 3: Great Sand Dunes NPP
Image 4: Rocky Mountain National Park
Image 5: TheodoreRooseveltNPS

10/03/2026

“On October 3rd, he asked what day it was.” — Cady Heron

It’s October 3rd.

October is kind of a big deal around here. The autumn months splash many national parks with a rich array of fall colors, while cooler temperatures have wildlife getting ready for winter. Some are migrating. Some are gathering food. Some are putting on extra layers.

Same, honestly.

So whether you’re here for the foliage, the wildlife, or simply to judge the leaves on their color palette, national parks are a pretty fetch place to experience fall. Fetch? We’re making it happen.

And if you want to keep up with what’s happening in parks this season, you can find more ways to connect with your national parks at the link below.
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/fall-season.htm

Image: Red Osier Dogwood leaves stand out against aspen trunks at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. NPS/Patrick Myers

10/02/2026

10/02/2026

Wherever military life takes you, there’s likely a park adventure nearby.

Active-duty military members, Veterans, and Gold Star families can get a free America the Beautiful Pass, providing access to national parks and federal recreation sites across the country.

Active-duty military families can also find free events, nearby outdoor opportunities, and resources for exploring national parks, public lands, and waterways through the Military Families Outdoors Program, wherever military life takes them. Visit: go.nps.gov/mfo

Whether you’re PCSing, exploring near your duty station, or looking for a weekend adventure, your next park visit may be closer than you think.

NPS Photo: Rangers at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park recently teamed up with Blue Star Families and community partners for a day of fishing, outdoor fun, and family time at Fletchers Cove.

Blue Star Families Defense Public Health

10/01/2026

Fat Bear Week has officially lumbered to a close.

What a week. As they say, a journey of roughly 3,000 to 4,500 calories begins with a single salmon. Something like that. There might be some steps involved too.

In the end, 16 bears entered. Bear 89 “Backpack” became champion. Talk about the hunger games. And several ate their way into our hearts. Figuratively. And thousands of us humans spent an unreasonable amount of time judging bears for being excellent at being, well, bears.

It was a week of big bellies, bigger appetites, and absolutely no regrets. We shared some science, learned about the Alaskan ecosystem, stood around for hours watching large mammals eat, and found multiple way to incorporate “chonk” in everyday vocabulary.

Now the bears have more important things to do, such as eating then sleeping, a bit more eating, sleeping, and finally preparing to sleep after eating. As for the rest of us, we all return to our regularly scheduled programming.

Must we?

We must.

We will miss you, Fat Bear Week. Until next year: stay chunky, stay hungry, and remember: there’s always room for one more salmon.

NPS Images

10/01/2026

10/01/2026

Now that Fat Bear Week is over, it's time for Chunky Puppy Day! Tune in to the Puppy Cam tomorrow, Thursday, October 1, at 2pm AK time to find out how big the America's Best Idea litter got this summer.

How much do you think they weigh now? Share your guesses in the comments below.

NPS Photo: Graupel from the Weather litter during a weigh-in last year.

09/30/2026

This is the ideal marmot body. You may not like it. You may not understand it. But this is what peak performance looks like.

Now that Fat Bear Week is over, we’re returning to our regularly scheduled programming: other fat mammals.

The tundra-dwelling yellow-bellied marmots have been preparing for hibernation for the last couple of months. Since marmots spend more than half their lives hibernating, they’ve developed some impressive adaptations for surviving the winter:

✅ First, they’ve been building up healthy fat reserves (sound familiar? Bears. Us too, but that’s another post) to sustain them for up to eight months. Basically, a nice winter savings account.

✅ When they finally enter hibernation, they become true hibernators, slowing their heart rate from around 200 beats per minute to as low as 30. It’s an impressive energy-saving strategy.

✅ Speaking of saving, they also save on utilities by cuddling up with the colony in a communal burrow. Because heating is expensive, and roommates are the answer. Was that on the lease?

NPS Photo: A rotund marmot standing on a rock at Rocky Mountain National Park

09/14/2026

What comes to mind when you think of Fort Point?

In the 1960s, the Presidio Historical Association, previously named the Fort Point Museum Association, held a fashion show in Fort Point when it was raising money. With their help and the community’s participation, the love of Fort Point grew enough to lobby Fort Point to become a National Historic Site in 1970. Without their help Fort Point would never open to share stories of the past and stories of people today and without the photos that everyone posts this fort would be quiet.

Next time you’re capturing your story, consider adding Fort Point to your list. What story will you share here?



Photo Credits: NPS

09/12/2026

Happy National Hug and High Five Day! 🙌

Fort Point is an icon for all to enjoy, especially if you are running. One of the most common sights you see at Fort Point are runners high fiving Hopper’s hands. Before the fence was put up, runners used to run around the outer edge of the Fort. Ken Hopper, a former iron worker, saw runners running to the fence and turning around. He put the iconic Hopper's Hands as a way for the runners to congratulate themselves after running to the Fort. Next time you visit Fort Point, go give Hopper's Hands a High Five! 🙌

What are some of your most recent achievements?

Photo Credits: NPS

08/14/2026

Do you know about the opportunities for crabbing right here in the Presidio?

Aside from pinch-perfect views that the Presidio has to offer, there’s a free crabbing spot along the San Francisco Bay at Torpedo Wharf!

Crabbing does NOT need a fishing license! Though Dungeness crabs are off limits, there are plenty of red, yellow, and brown rock crabs (when measured over 4 inches across the back) that you may keep!

Torpedo Wharf is a popular free crabbing location in the Presidio with claw-some views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Come on by and get your crabbing on!

08/07/2026

What can we learn from a way of life that has all but disappeared?

For over 100 years, lighthouse keepers stood watch over the entrance to the San Francisco Bay, long before automation replaced the steady hands that kept the lights burning. Countless lives depended on them. Through fierce storms, dense fog, and long nights, they climbed steep stairs carrying heavy buckets of kerosene to fuel the beacon. They polished the lens until it gleamed, maintained the machinery, and kept an unwavering watch over the sea.

Life on the edge of the Pacific demanded resilience—and sometimes extraordinary courage. Fort Point Lighthouse keeper James Rankin rescued 18 people during his career while keeping watch over the Bay's unpredictable waters. At Point Bonita, a keeper's daughter recalled watching her father being lifted on his boat as a whale surfaced beneath it—a reminder that these keepers shared their home with the untamed power of the ocean.

The lighthouses still stand, but their stories linger in the salt air, waiting to be discovered. Visit our website to explore “The Voices of Fort Point”, including oral histories of lighthouse keepers and their families.

This National Lighthouse Day, what stories will you uncover?

Photo Credit: Savina Mihalopoulos

07/28/2026

Are YOU excited for Living History Day at Fort Point National Historic Site?! Join us for FREE from 10:00am-5:00pm on August 1st at Fort Point, where we will have real life reenactors demonstrating what life was like at the fort! Get sworn in as a Junior Ranger while feeling like you’re in the 1860s, it’ll be a wild time! We are excited to see you there!

Image Credit: NPS

07/28/2026

Today is National Buffalo Soldiers Day!

On this day, 160 years ago, the United States Congress passed a law that created the Buffalo Soldier regiments. The act specifically established four segregated African American infantry regiments and two cavalry regiments, later consolidated into four regiments. While all four regiments traveled through San Francisco during the departure and return of the Spanish American and Philippine American Wars, the Ninth Cavalry regiments were stationed in the Presidio of San Francisco in the years that followed.

Serving here in San Francisco, these soldiers went on to become the very first park rangers! Under the charge of Brigadier General Charles Young, Troops I and M of the 9th Calvary, marched 323 miles from the Presidio of San Francisco to Sequoia National Park to protect these public lands for the summer season of 1903. Ask a park ranger on-site at the Presidio Visitor Center to learn more about the Buffalo Soldier troops who were stationed here in the Presidio.

Though African American soldiers have participated in the armed forces for over 250 years, dating back to the Revolutionary War, it was not until this law was passed that allowed them to enlist in the Regular Army. Today, we recognize the service and valor of these soldiers whose work helped shape the national park system and created a foundation for early park management and stewardship.

Visit Fort Point National Historic Site to see the "Legacy!" Buffalo Soldiers Exhibit and learn more about their journey! Check out our website for our current hours!



Company H, 9th Cavalry in camp at the Presidio in 1900.
Image courtesy Library of Congress.

05/29/2026

Now on display at Fort Point National Historic Site:
SUNRISE/SUNSET
From the first glimmer of sunrise to the gorgeous glow of the sunset, our
parks sparkle with life and natural beauty. The Volunteer Photographers of
Golden Gate National Recreation Area present to you some of these
magical moments. We are proud to share these images with you
and hope you are inspired to love our parks even more!

PARTICIPATING PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Keith Ammons, Alison Taggart Barone, Ted Barone, Will Elder,
Richard Mayer, Doc Miles, Dave Rauenbuehler, Jodi Terry, Kathy Wong

This exhibit is open during normal operating hours: Thursday-Monday 10am-5pm on the second floor near the wrought iron staircase.

Photos for this post by a very helpful visitor and Tory Starling