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National Historic Site · Missouri

Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site

National Historic Site in Missouri. No entrance fee.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypeNational Historic Site
StateMissouri
Entrance feeNo entrance fee
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkGateway Arch (10 mi)
Closest airportSTL (14 mi)
Historic green house with snow on ground
Visiting the park in the winter can be beautiful and peaceful. Photo: NPS Photo

Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site is a national historic site run by the National Park Service in Missouri.

In the park service’s words

Ulysses S. Grant is known as the victorious Civil War general who saved the Union and the 18th President of the United States. He first met Julia Dent, his future wife, at her family home, named White Haven. From 1854 to 1859 the Dents, Grants and an enslaved African-American workforce lived on the property.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

  • Visit the White Haven Home (20 to 30 Minutes): The historic White Haven estate is more than 200 years old and the home where Ulysses and Julia Grant fell in love. The house is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Historic Tree Tour (10 to 30 Minutes): Numerous trees of historic and natural significance are on the park grounds today. Explore six of these trees by taking a self-guided tour of the park grounds.
  • Conduct Research at Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site (1 to 4 Hours): Want to learn more about Ulysses S. Grant and anxious to find more resources? Consider scheduling an appointment to conduct research at Ulysses S. Grant.
  • Visit the White Haven Estate (20 to 30 Minutes): Visit the historic White Haven estate.
  • Historic Trees at White Haven (5 to 15 Minutes): View a range of historic and unique trees on the park grounds at Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site.
  • Take A Self-Guided Tour of the Park Grounds (5 to 15 Minutes): The historic site grounds are open during standard operating hours (9:00AM to 5:00PM). Explore the quarter-mile walking trace, read the wayside markers, and visit four historic outbuildings on the property.
  • Moving Through History (90 Minutes): Join a Park Ranger for a three-mile jog to see the original location of Hardscrabble, a log cabin built by Ulysses S. Grant in the 1850s while he lived in St. Louis.
  • Let Nature Speak: Take in the beautiful scenery at Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site’s hours of operation are 9AM, 5PM, with the last tour of the historic house at 4 pm.

Getting there

Ulysses S. Grant is located in south St. Louis County on Grant Road, near Gravois Road to the south. Watson Road is to the north, I-270 is to the west, and Laclede Station Road is to the east.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) St Louis, MO No road route 14 Large hub
Scott AFB/Midamerica Airport (BLV) Belleville, IL No road route 28 Regional
Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois (MWA) Marion, IL No road route 91 Regional

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

Weather

St. Louis weather can be uncomfortable and occasionally severe, so please plan your visit accordingly. High heat and humidity, severe thunderstorms, snow and ice, and extreme cold are all possible depending upon the season. For an update of inclement weather conditions which may affect your visit, call (314)842-1867 and follow the instructions to connect to the inclement weather report.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Gateway Arch, about 10 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site?

No entrance fee.

Where is Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site?

In Missouri. The closest airport with scheduled flights is St. Louis Lambert International Airport, about 14 miles away.

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