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.
Photo: NPS Photo/John Eicher
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Orphaned at age nine, Herbert Hoover left West Branch never to live here again.
- LocationWest Branch, IA
- Entrance No fee listed
- HoursDaily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM
-
Weather now80°F Sunny
- Alerts No active alerts
Overview
Topics
- Architecture and Building
- Arts
- Birthplace
- Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite
- Churches
- Commerce
- Grasslands
- Landscape Design
7 more topics
- Prairies
- Presidents
- Religion and Spirituality
- River and Riparian
- Schools and Education
- Sculpture
- Trails
Things to Do
8 experiences from the National Park Service. Check details on NPS.gov before you go.
-
Be a Junior Ranger at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
The Junior Ranger program helps kids get involved and learn more about Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. Anyone can become a Junior Ranger by completing activities during a visit to the park!
Learn more about Be a Junior Ranger at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Explore Herbert Hoover's Hometown With the NPS App
Use the NPS App on your visit to West Branch, Iowa, and discover the places and people that shaped the early life of the 31st President.
Learn more about Explore Herbert Hoover's Hometown With the NPS App on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Get Started at the Visitor Center
Start your visit at the Visitor Center, where park rangers are available to answer questions and help you get oriented. Allow yourself up to 30 minutes in the Visitor Center, which is open from 9:00…
Learn more about Get Started at the Visitor Center on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Picnic Where the President Picnicked
Reservation required
Picnic where the President picnicked! Herbert Hoover celebrated his 80th birthday in 1954 at a picnic shelter built by Boy Scouts in his honor. Herbert Hoover National Historic Site has two picnic…
Learn more about Picnic Where the President Picnicked on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Take a Self-guided Tour
The grounds of the historic site are open 24 hours a day. Pick up a map at the Visitor Center or download the NPS App to your phone. Then visit the Birthplace Cottage, Blacksmith Shop, Schoolhouse…
Learn more about Take a Self-guided Tour on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Tour the Presidential Library & Museum
Fee applies
The Presidential Library and Museum is independently operated and maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), a federal agency. Permanent galleries exhibiting artifacts of…
Learn more about Tour the Presidential Library & Museum on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Visit Downtown West Branch
The West Branch Commercial Historic District is just outside the historic site along Downey and Main streets. It is a national historic district which preserves fifteen downtown buildings built from…
Learn more about Visit Downtown West Branch on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Walk the Nature Trails
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site offers over two miles of trails through the tallgrass prairie and along Hoover Creek for hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and nature study. Trail maps…
Learn more about Walk the Nature Trails on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Showing 8 of 8
All 13 activities in the park
Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
- Hiking
- Wildlife Watching
- Guided Tours
- Birdwatching
- Junior Ranger Program
- Museum Exhibits
- Picnicking
- Arts and Culture
- Craft Demonstrations
- Food
- Front-Country Hiking
- Park Film
Show 1 more activities
Facilities & Services
Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Other Visitor Services
-
Visitor Center
Facility
Start your visit at the Visitor Center, where park rangers are available to answer questions and help you get oriented. Allow yourself about 30 minutes in the Visitor…
110 Parkside Drive, West Branch, IA (319) 643-2541 Directions
Details
Start your visit at the Visitor Center, where park rangers are available to answer questions and help you get oriented. Allow yourself about 30 minutes in the Visitor Center, which is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM · Operating Hours
Hours details
-
Operating HoursDaily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM
From April 1 - October 31, historic buildings and the visitor center are open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. From November 1 - March 31, historic buildings are open 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the visitor center is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The grounds of the historic site are open 24 hours. Overnight parking is not allowed in the park.
Monday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Tuesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Wednesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Thursday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Saturday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Sunday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Entrance fees
No entrance fees listed.
Address
110 Parkside DriveWest Branch, IA 52358
Contact the park
Weather & conditions
80°F
Sunny · feels like 81°
-
Today
82° 64°
Sunny7% rain
-
Tomorrow
77° 64°
Sunny68% rain
-
Wednesday
66° 58°
Overcast85% rain
Updated 2 hr ago
What to expect by season
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.
Upcoming Events
2 coming up-
Prairie Walk: How prairies came to Iowa
About
Join us for a volunteer-guided walk through the 80-acre tall-grass prairie restoration! Learn how events over the last 400,000 years led to prairie covering 85% of Iowa prior to western settlement.
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. The program length will be approximately 45 minutes to an hour. This program will be offered select Thursdays at noon throughout October and November.
The program is FREE and no reservation is required. Participants will walk approximately 0.75 miles on grass trails with several stops on the way. There is a small hill with approximately 50-foot elevation gain.
Prairie walks are great for visitors of all ages. Participants should be prepared for a short hike. Good footwear for walking/hiking is recommended. Please bring water, snacks, and sun protection like a hat and sunscreen. There is very little shade along the trail.
The trails are about 3 feet wide but sometimes prairie plants lean over into the trail area. Be sure to check for ticks during stops and after the walk if you brush vegetation.
-
A Christmas Past
About
West Branch, IA –The birthplace of Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States, will host “A Christmas Past” December 4th and 5th. The festivities will officially begin with a community tree-lighting on the Village Green at 5pm on December 4th. For a complete schedule of the weekend’s activities: A Christmas Past | Main Street West Branch
Take a step back in time as you stroll through the park’s historic neighborhood decorated and illuminated in period-appropriate, festive style. Be sure to stop by the park’s blacksmith shop for living history demonstrations both nights from 5:30-8:00pm.
Programs and events offered at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site Friday and Saturday evenings will be announced closer to the event.
Photos
-
Exhibit galleries and archival collections tell of the triumphs and tragedies of Hoover’s long career in public service. — NARA/Lynn Smith -
-
-
-
Getting There
West Branch, IA 52358
Take exit 254 off Interstate 80 to West Branch, Iowa. The Visitor Center is 0.3 mile north of Interstate 80.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 607, West Branch, IA 52358
Map loads when you scroll here