Picnic Where the President Picnicked

Herbert Hoover celebrated his 80th birthday in 1954 at a picnic shelter built by Boy Scouts.

National Archives & Records Administration

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 shelters.

The two picnic shelters at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site are available primarily on a first-come first-serve basis. A special park use permit is required if you would like to use a shelter for a special event, such as a wedding. A nonrefundable processing fee of $50.00 must accompany the application unless the requested use is an exercise of a First Amendment right. An application can be picked up at the park or printed from Special Uses - Herbert Hoover National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov). 

For more information please contact the Special Use Permit Coordinator at 319-643-2541, or email. 

Details

Activity

Picnicking

Pets Allowed

Yes

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

West (Boy Scout) Picnic Shelter

The picnic shelters are just west of the historic buildings. Both picnic shelters are accessible by paved trails.

Parking for the shelters is on the north side of the loop drive, past Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum. Parking is allowed in only in designated spaces. Visitors can walk to the shelters from the parking area by crossing the foot bridge over Hoover Creek. The nearest restrooms are in the comfort station next to the West (Boy Scout) Picnic Shelter.

Reservations

Yes

Reservations are not required. Either picnic shelter may be used first come, first served for free or reserved for $25.00. 

To reserve a picnic shelter, fill out a reservation form (PDF file). Completed forms with the $25 application fee may be delivered to the Visitor Center at 110 Parkside Drive or mailed to P.O. Box 607, West Branch, IA 52358.

Season

Year Round

Time of Day

Day

Accessibility Information

Two picnic shelters are on the north side of Hoover Creek. Parking for persons with disabilities is on the south side of the creek. Visitors can get to the shelters from the parking area by crossing the foot bridge over the creek.

Both picnic shelters are accessible by paved trails. A comfort station by the West Picnic Shelter has one wheelchair accessible restroom stall. A one-inch threshold must be crossed to enter.