Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

Quick answers

Is there a nursing room or baby care at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site?

Mapped for this park: 1 changing table. Details

When is Herbert Hoover National Historic Site open?

Usually Mon–Sun 9:00–16:30. Details

When is the best time to visit Herbert Hoover National Historic Site?

By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are April, September, and October. Details

When is Herbert Hoover National Historic Site open?

• Mon–Sun 9:00–16:30

From 56 published days, 2026-11-07 to 2027-01-01; published by the park.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

Orphaned at age nine, Herbert Hoover left West Branch never to live here again. In later years, he returned to his humble birthplace to celebrate his long career of public service. A memorial landscape remains to tell his story: how community, hard work, honesty, and usefulness to others opened a world of opportunity— and the presidency of the United States— to a child of simple beginnings.

This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed), Store / concessions, Visitor center, Picnic areas.

Nursing and baby care

Mapped for this park: 1 changing table.

• Visitor Center Changing table

When is the best time to visit Herbert Hoover National Historic Site?

By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are April, September, and October.

The weather works against it in January, February, March, November, and December.

The warmest month is July, with average highs near 86°F (30°C); the coolest is January, near 30°F (-1°C).

June is the wettest month, with about 5.1 in (130 mm) of precipitation in a typical June.

Typical weather, 25-year Meteorological and Solar Monthly & Annual Climatologies (January 2001 - December 2025). Data from NASA Langley Research Center POWER Project (CC BY 4.0)

Official facts

On the Forest Service's 2023 map, Herbert Hoover National Historic Site's mapped point sits in the very low wildfire hazard class; that is a measure of the land, not a forecast.

The nearest live USGS river gauge to Herbert Hoover National Historic Site is Wb Wapsinonoc Cr At College St At West Branch, IA (0546494170), 1 km away.

Public access: Restricted access.

Protected area: 182 acres (74 ha).

Designation: National Historic Site. Listed as "Herbert Hoover National Historic Site" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: protected from conversion, multiple uses allowed (GAP 3).

Established: 1965.

Managed by: NPS.

River or stream: Hoover Creek. Intermittent, mapped at or near this park in the USGS National Hydrography Dataset.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1 · U.S. Geological Survey, National Hydrography Dataset (The National Map) · U.S. Geological Survey, National Water Information System · Dillon, Gregory K. 2023. Wildfire Hazard Potential for the United States (270-m), version 2023. 4th Edition. Forest Service Research Data Archive

At the park

• Exhibits exhibit
• Visitor center exhibit
• Picnicking activity

Shows and experiences

• Historic sites & museum

Events

• Prairie Walk: How prairies came to Iowa Oct 1 – Nov 19, 2026 · 12:00 PM–12:45 PM · Meet your guide at the bench/water fountain at the Hoover Gravesite parking area to enjoy a walk on the prairie trails. Additional parking at the picnic area and Hoover Library and Museum.
• A Christmas Past Dec 4 – Dec 5, 2026 · 05:00 PM–08:00 PM

Before you go

Mobility

Available in the park: mobility & stroller rentals. Confirm rental availability and pricing with the park.

Limits

Certain activities, like commercial photography, weddings, or special events require a permit

Limits

Picnicking is allowed only at the park picnic shelters and on the Village Green

Limits

Pets are allowed in the park, but must be physically restrained at all times

Limits

Smoking is prohibited in all park buildings and within the tallgrass prairie

Getting there

Take exit 254 off Interstate 80 to West Branch, Iowa. The Visitor Center is 0.3 mile north of Interstate 80.

Weather & when to go

Spring and fall are mild with moderate temperatures. Average high temperatures in the spring and fall are between 50° and 60° F, with lows from 40° F to 50° F. Summer is hot and humid with average highs around 85° F. Winter can be cold, windy, and snowy with highs averaging 30° F or lower. Rain and thunderstorms are most frequent in the spring and summer.

Visitor center

Downey Street Information Kiosk

Visitor center

East Picnic Shelter

Visitor center

Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum

Visitor center

Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum

Visitor center

Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum

Visitor center

Presidential Library & Museum Information Kiosk

Visitor center

Presidential Library & Museum Information Kiosk

Visitor center

Tallgrass Prairie Observation Deck

Visitor center

The Cultural Landscape of Herbert Hoover's Hometown

Visitor center

The Cultural Landscape of Herbert Hoover's Hometown

Visitor center

Visitor Center — The loop road from the Presidential Library and Museum to the Gravesite and picnic shelters, and the Village Green Parking Lot (on Parkside Drive across from the Visitor Center) are closed to vehicles and parking from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. The grounds are open 24 hours. The historic buildings…

Visitor center

Visitor Center

Facilities on the park map

10 benches, 1 changing table, 1 defibrillator, 1 first aid kit, 2 mobility rentals, 4 picnic areas, 8 restrooms, 18 visitor information, 6 water fountains.

History

Opened

1965

Heritage status

Listed heritage / protected status

Operated by

National Park Service

Heritage designation

National Register of Historic Places listed place (from 1966); National Historic Landmark (from 1965)

• Park opened
• Designated National Historic Landmark — 1965-06-23
• Designated National Register of Historic Places listed place — 1966-10-15