Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site
Trailie
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Tell Trailie your dates, pace, and interests — get a day-by-day Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site plan with hikes, drives, and must-see stops.
Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site at a glance
- Best time
- April–May, September–October
- Trip length
- 1 day
- Don't miss
- Top Cottage Trail
- Nearby city
- Hyde Park, NY
Explore this park
About Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site
Visit the home of Eleanor Roosevelt. Here, Franklin and Eleanor entertained friends, the press, activists, and official state visitors in the relaxed atmosphere of Val-Kill. Explore the Roosevelt saga in the homes of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, the exhibits at the nation’s first Presidential Library, and over a thousand acres of gardens and trails.
Weather Information
- Spring
Temperatures usually range from 40°F to 70°F.
- Summer
Temperatures usually range from 70° F to 100° F.
- Fall
Temperatures usually range from 40° F to 70° F.
- Winter
Temperatures usually range from 30° F to 50°F.
Rain is not uncommon. Humidity can be high throughout the summer months with periods of rain. Peak leaf season is mid-October. Rain is not uncommon. Ice, Freezing Rain and Snow are not uncommon.
Operating Hours
Val-Kill Cottage Tours
Eleanor Roosevelt's Val-Kill Cottage is open in the summer and fall months by guided tour only. Tickets for tours are FREE, but tour spaces are limited and distributed in-person on a first come, first served basis due to the intimate size of Eleanor's home. The first tour starts at 9:30 AM. The last tour starts at 4:00 PM. Tours begin at the Stone Cottage Visitor Center. Tour times can vary depending on the season, special groups, or unforeseen circumstances.
- MondayClosed
- TuesdayClosed
- Wednesday9:30AM - 4:00PM
- Thursday9:30AM - 4:00PM
- Friday9:30AM - 4:00PM
- Saturday9:30AM - 4:00PM
- Sunday9:30AM - 4:00PM
Park Grounds, Gardens, and Trails
Park hours vary by season. The grounds are open daily, except for New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Tour times of Eleanor's cottage are different than general park hours. Please look under "Val-Kill Cottage Tours" for current tour hours.
- Monday7:00AM - 5:00PM
- Tuesday7:00AM - 5:00PM
- Wednesday7:00AM - 5:00PM
- Thursday7:00AM - 5:00PM
- Friday7:00AM - 5:00PM
- Saturday7:00AM - 5:00PM
- Sunday7:00AM - 5:00PM
Common questions
Planning Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Permits for live updates.
TrailVerse lists 2 reservation types on the Permits tab, including Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site Tours and Eleanor Roosevelt (Val-Kill) Group Tours. Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.
