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Herbert Hoover Prairie Trail

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This information is a public record of the 1981 NRT application and may be out of date if it has not been updated by a trail manager --
check with the trail manager for updated details before visiting.

Herbert Hoover Prairie Trail

National Park Service
  • Length
    2.47 miles
  • Elevation Gain
    --
  • Route Type
    out & back
 (1 review)

The tallgrass prairie at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site offers a glimpse of an Iowa landscape that had almost vanished.

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Tallgrass Prairie at Herbert Hoover Historical Site. Photo by NPS.
Tallgrass Prairie at Herbert Hoover Historical Site. Photo by NPS.
Herbert Hoover Prairie Trail - 7-10-18. Photo by Jim Walla.
Herbert Hoover Prairie Trail - 7-10-18. Photo by Jim Walla.
Herbert Hoover Prairie Trail - 7-10-18. Photo by Jim Walla.
Herbert Hoover Prairie Trail - 7-10-18. Photo by Jim Walla.
  • Tallgrass Prairie at Herbert Hoover Historical Site. Photo by NPS.
  • Tallgrass Prairie at Herbert Hoover Historical Site. Photo by NPS.
  • Herbert Hoover Prairie Trail - 7-10-18. Photo by Jim Walla.
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Location: West Branch, At Herbert Hoover NHS in West Branch.

  • States: Iowa
  • Counties: Cedar

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 six 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.

Accessibility Information

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Reviews

Jim Walla
Jim Walla
Oct 27, 2018
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.

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Allowed Uses:

Hiking/Walking

Public Contact

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
110 Parkside Drive
West Branch, IA 52358
[email protected] • (319) 643-2541
www.nps.gov/heho

Contact the trail manager for current maps and visiting details.

More Details

  • Elevation (low): --
  • Elevation (high): --
  • Elevation (cumulative): --
  • Part of a Trail System? No
  • Surface (primary): Grass or Vegetation
  • Surfaces (additional): Grass or Vegetation
  • Tread Width (average): 72"
  • Tread Width (minimum): --
  • Running length (minimum): --
  • Tread Grade (average, percent): --
  • Tread Grade (maximum):
  • Running length (maximum): --
  • Cross-slope (average, percent): --
  • Cross-slope (maximum): --
  • Running length (maximum): --
  • Certified as an NRT
    Jul 20, 1981
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