Alcatraz Gardens

Overview

The historic gardens of Alcatraz Island are a surprising botanical treasure, maintained by volunteers from the Garden Conservancy. Plants established by military families and prison officers over a century ago have survived decades of neglect to bloom again.

Highlights

• Heritage Roses: Rare heritage rose varieties planted by military officers' wives in the 1800s, some found nowhere else in cultivation.
• Terraced Officers' Row Gardens: Rebuilt Victorian-era gardens on the terraced slopes above the prison buildings.
• Bird Habitat: The gardens provide crucial nesting habitat for western gulls, Brandt's cormorants, and black-crowned night herons.

History

The gardens were established in the 1860s during Alcatraz's military period, when soldiers and their families imported soil and plants to soften the barren island. After the prison closed in 1963, the gardens were abandoned for 40 years before volunteers began restoration in 2003.

Visitor Tips

• Spring Visit: March through May is peak bloom season for the heritage roses and other flowering plants.
• Included in Tour: The gardens are included in the regular Alcatraz Island tour — allow extra time beyond the cellhouse audio tour.
• Duration: 20–30 minutes.