Martin Van Buren National Historic Site
Born in Kinderhook, New York, in 1782, Martin Van Buren was the first president born a US citizen. His life spanned the American Revolution to the Civil War and was shaped by the most important issues of the era: US expansionism and the removal of Indigenous people, states’ rights, and slavery. This historic landscape invites reflection on the many lives and legacies woven into its past.
About 1.5 hours from Hartford by car.
Alerts
- InformationLindenwald Opens for 2026 Season
Lindenwald Tours – 2026 Season Lindenwald is open for tours Friday–Sunday at 10 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM. Tours are first-come, first-served. Monday–Thursday: grounds are open, but no tours are available. Park stamps, and restrooms are available in the Visitor Center.
Fees & passes
Free. No entrance fee here.
Hours
| Martin Van Buren National Historic Site | Daily · 7:00AM - Sunset |
When to go
August draws the most visits here and January the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Visitor centers
- Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp
The Visitor Center is open 7 days a week from 9 am - 4:30 pm through the visitor season. Ranger-guided tours of Lindenwald, the historic house, are only available Memorial Day and Fridays - Sundays on a first-come, first-served basis. Monday–Thursday: grounds are open, but no tours are available.
Explore
Things to do
- Wayside Loop Trail20-60 Minutes
The Wayside Loop Trail is a short tour of the site that visitors can do at any time.
Opens on the Park Service site - Martin Van Buren Junior Ranger Program45-60 Minutes
Participate in Martin Van Buren National Historic Site's Junior Ranger Program! Our unique Junior Ranger Book offers students of history an engaging way to explore Martin Van Buren's house and grounds.
Opens on the Park Service site
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Events
- Lindenwald Guided Tours10/1610:00 AM · runs through Oct 18 · free · registration required
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
Historic landmarks nearby
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Guidebooks for the Mid-Atlantic
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Wildlife
Seen this monthRed Fox 2× · Bald Eagle 1× · American Black Bear 1×Research-grade observations within 25 km, last 30 days, via iNaturalist
Full checklist: 76 birds, 15 mammalsHide
Raptors & owlsHen Harrier · Merlin · Osprey · Red-tailed Hawk · Turkey Vulture
Waterfowl & wadersAmerican Black Duck · Canada Goose · Great Blue Heron · Great Egret · Green Heron · Mute Swan · Wood Duck
Shorebirds & seabirdsKilldeer · Least Sandpiper · Spotted Sandpiper
Gamebirds & dovesCommon Pigeon · Mourning Dove · Wild Turkey
WoodpeckersDowny Woodpecker · Northern Flicker · Pileated Woodpecker · Red-bellied Woodpecker
Hummingbirds & swiftsChimney Swift · Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Also on the checklistAmerican Crow · American Goldfinch · American Redstart · American Robin · American Tree Sparrow · Baltimore Oriole · Barn Swallow · Blue Jay · Blue-gray Gnatcatcher · Bobolink · Brown-headed Cowbird · Carolina Wren · Cedar Waxwing · Chipping Sparrow · Common Grackle · Common Starling · Common Yellowthroat · Dark-eyed Junco · Eastern Bluebird · Eastern Kingbird · Eastern Phoebe · Eastern Wood Pewee · Field Sparrow · Gray Catbird · Great Crested Flycatcher · House Finch · House Sparrow · House Wren · Indigo Bunting · Least Flycatcher · Mallard · Northern Cardinal · Northern Mockingbird · Northern Raven · Northern Rough-winged Swallow · Orchard Oriole · Red-eyed Vireo · Red-winged Blackbird · Ringed Kingfisher · Rose-breasted Grosbeak · Savannah Sparrow · Scarlet Tanager · Song Sparrow · Swamp Sparrow · Tree Swallow · Veery · Warbling Vireo · White-breasted Nuthatch · White-throated Sparrow · Willow Flycatcher · Wood Thrush · Yellow-throated Vireo
Small mammalsAmerican Beaver · Common Muskrat · Eastern Chipmunk · Eastern Gray Squirrel · Meadow Vole · Star-nosed Mole
PredatorsCommon Otter · Coyote · Cross Fox · Long-tailed Weasel · Striped Skunk · common raccoon
Hoofed mammalsWhite-tailed Deer
Also on the checklistCaucasian wildcat · Groundhog
Activities
Activity guides for this park Birdwatching in the national parks · Wildlife watching in the national parks
Weather & climate
The weather at Martin Van Buren National Historic Site is typical of the northeast United States; it varies considerably throughout the year. Always check the forecast prior to your visit and dress accordingly. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.
Questions people ask
Does Martin Van Buren charge an entrance fee?
No. Martin Van Buren is free to enter.
Source: National Park Service
What are the hours at Martin Van Buren?
Standard hours are 7:00AM - Sunset, every day.
Source: National Park Service
Is anything closed at Martin Van Buren right now?
1 active alert as of October 14, 2026: Lindenwald Opens for 2026 Season.
Source: Alerts
How busy is Martin Van Buren?
15,807 recreation visits in 2025, number 336 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
Is there cell service at Martin Van Buren?
At the park's reference point, FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G. Coverage inside the park varies by location.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is the weather like at Martin Van Buren?
The weather at Martin Van Buren National Historic Site is typical of the northeast United States; it varies considerably throughout the year. Always check the forecast prior to your visit and dress accordingly.
Source: Weather & climate
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
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