Iowa
Herbert Hoover Prairie Trail
The tallgrass prairie at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site offers a glimpse of an Iowa landscape that had almost vanished.
Loop Trail? No
Agency: National Park Service
Entry Fee? No
Parking Fee? No Allowed Uses:
Location: West Branch, At Herbert Hoover NHS in West Branch.
State(s): Iowa
Counties: Ceder
Longitude: -91.34824
Latitude: 41.66872
Driving Directions
Driving directions are not available for this trail. Can you provide this missing data?
Description
When Herbert Hoover's grandparents moved to this area in the middle of the 19th century, most of Iowa was covered by tallgrass prairie, dotted with brilliant wildflowers through the growing season. Many of these grasses grew to over 6 feet in height with their roots reaching downward twice as deep in the fertile soil. In honor of Herbert Hoover's love of nature, and in an attempt to share an exquisite natural resource with the public, the National Park Service restored 81 acres of tallgrass prairie.
Additional Details
Width: 72 inches.
Primary Surface: Grass or vegetation
Secondary Surface: Grass or Vegetation
Elevation Low Point: Not Available
Elevation High Point: Not Available
Elevation Gain (cumulative): Not Available
Year Designated: 1981
Supporting Webpages and Documents
Website: NPS Herbert Hoover National Historic SiteContact Information
For more information and current conditions, contact the trail manager (listed below). For questions, suggestions, and corrections to information listed on the website, contact American Trails.
Trail management:
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
110 Parkside Drive
PO Box 607
West Branch, IA
52358
(319) 643-2541
[email protected]
http://www.nps.gov/heho
Photos
Reviews





Herbert Hoover Prairie Trail - 7-10-18
This trail is on the property of the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. It is basically a mown path through a tallgrass prairie (I posted some pictures). The majority of the trail is exposed to the sun. The day I walked it was over 90, but there was a breeze so it wasn't too bad. The trail itself is nothing special. However, there were a lot of birds and wildflowers if that sort of thing is of interest to you. I don't think it is worth a trip just for the trail, but if you are interested in history and are visiting the historic site, it is worth a walk.
October 27, 2018
Suggest an Edit
Do you see a problem with this trail data? Contact us below: