Camp Hoover, also known as Rapidan Camp, is a scenic and historic hike that passes the retreat of former President Herbert Hoover, and First Lady Lou Henry Hoover. The circuit is a moderate hike and passes Big Rock Falls, which is a small pool and stream cascade where the trail crosses Mill Prong.
From the parking area at Milam Gap, cross Skyline Drive and follow the white blazed Appalachian Trail (AT) for 100 yards to the intersection of the blue blazed Mill Prong Trail. Turn left downhill on the blue blazed trail as it descends into the valley, then in 0.5 miles crosses Mill Prong for the first time. Continue to follow the trail for another 0.4 miles where it crosses another small creek that feeds Mill Prong, and in 100 yards arrive at the intersection of a horse trail that leads to the Rapidan Fire Road.
Turn right downhill on the now yellow blazed Mill Prong Trail, from this point to Camp Hoover, backcountry camping is not allowed. In 0.3 miles from the previous intersection, the yellow blazed Mill Prong Trail will cross Mill Prong and pass Big Rock Falls. Continue downward on the trail for another 0.4 miles where the Mill Prong Trail ends at Camp Hoover. Turn right on the access road, then immediately left down the footpath passing "The Creel" house. "The Creel" was occupied by two of President Hoover's chief aids. Larry Richey, a former F.B.I. agent assigned to guard the President who also acted as his personal secretary; and Joel T. Boone Jr., the Presidents personal physician.
60 yards past "The Creel" house is the presidential main quarters known as the "Brown House". The rear deck on the "Brown House" is a great place to enjoy the same view former President Hoover and world dignitaries enjoyed back in the 1920's. When he left office, Herbert Hoover, and his wife Lou Henry Hoover, donated the land to the government to become part of the newly created Shenandoah National Park.
From the "Brown House" continue on the yellow blazed Laurel Prong Trail, that starts at the Camp Hoover turn around. The yellow blazed trail will initially follow an old forestry road for the first 0.4 miles, then the forestry road veers right uphill. Remain left on the narrower yellow blazed trail for another 0.5 miles to the intersection of the yellow blazed Fork Mountain Trail. Stay straight on the now blue blazed Laurel Prong Trail for 0.4 miles, then pass a spring and only good camp site on the hike. Follow the trail uphill for another 0.8 miles to the saddle, and junction of the Cat Knob Trail.
Turn right on on the blue blazed Cat Knob Trail as it continues uphill for 1.1 miles to the intersection of the white blazed Appalachian Trail (AT). Turn right uphill on the AT crossing over the hike high point, and Hazeltop Mountain, in 0.4 miles. From the high point, the AT now heads downward for the remaining 2.3 miles back to Skyline Drive, and the Milam Gap parking area.
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Reviews For The Camp Hoover Hike (5 Most Recent)
Monday after Thanksgiving hike. We did the entire loop and saw no one. Its a great hike for solitude and distance. Ate lunch at Camp Rapidan and stopped a few other times along the way for a snack, we weren't in a big hurry and still made it in 4.5 hrs. Great views all around with no leaves on the trees. Can't wait to hike this one again.
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Date of Hike: Friday, November 11, 2011
Sis and I did this in reverse as a one-night backpack. It is a very beginner friendly backpack. Between heading out on Friday, plus the cold weather (upper 20's at night), we didn't run into very many other folks. The AT & Laurel Prong trails were not very difficult and very pleasant. There is one huge campsite along the Laurel Prong trail about a quarter of a mile or so before the Fork Mountain trail. Big enough for scout troop! Unfortunately, it is not very private. We turned south on the Fork Mountain Trail, there are some decent smaller camping spots starting about 50yds down the trail. We only ran into two other backpackers on Friday, and we ended up camping across the trail from them (about 100yds away). We left Milam Gap around noon and found a campsite about 1.5 hrs before sunset. Time to set up camp, eat dinner and hang the bear bag. We awoke before sunrise on Saturday and packed up and headed out to Camp Hoover by the full moonlight while our neighbors slept in. The sun rose on our arrival at Five Tents. We spent about an hour or so exploring Camp Hoover, and eating breakfast on the porch at the Brown House. We didn't see one other soul the entire time we were in CH. Skadoosh!! We finally headed up the Mill Prong Trail around 8:30am. The Mill Prong river crossings were really cool, and Big Rock Falls was beautiful. I imagine it is VERY popular in summer. We were passed from behind by a backpacking couple that were really scooting (they said they camped about 1 mile south down Fork Mtn trail that night). We also started running into day hikers headed down to Camp Hoover after 9am. Camp Hoover is closed down for winter, so no cabin tours or personnel on site. We preferred the solitude, so if you do also, this is a good winter/cold weather hike. I can imagine it is pretty busy during the warmer months.
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Date of Hike: Sunday, August 07, 2011
Overall this was a nice hike, did the trail in reverse, as for some reason I always end up doing, and I would recommend doing it in reverse for everyone else. Slipped on a rock as it had rained the night prior to showing up, banged up the knee a bit but was able to keep going without too much fuss. The ladies at Camp Hoover were very nice and offered us a tour and we sat outside on the porch and ate our lunch as the drizzle started. Overall this was a good hike, nice mix of level walking and some tougher uphill climbs. Saw a few deer on the path and one very large grey fox. Finished the full 7.6 miles in 3 hours.
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Druss
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Date of Hike: Friday, March 25, 2011
Really nice hike overall. My husband and I got a late start and weren't sure if we'd do the whole loop or just an out & back from the camp. We made great time and decided to do the loop. We finished shortly before dark, in just under 4 hours and even had a hot/cooked dinner stop on the trail. We thought it was a great combination of level/easy with a nice heart-beating section up to the AT section. No leaves out yet, so we got some great views of the mountain ridges and really enjoyed the stream section in the 1st part of the hike.
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Date of Hike: Sunday, April 18, 2010
Rapidan Camp was a nice hike. The walk down to the camp from Milam Gap was enjoyable and very easy even if it was a little a rocky. We hung around the camp and we were even thrown out of one of the houses after the workers left one of the doors open. The walk back uphill was a little monotonous and the steepness lasted a long time. There were no real views after leaving the camp although parts were somewhat interesting but similar to most other hikes in the park. The section of AT you hike has to be some of the nicest, most peaceful part of the whole trail. Would do again down to the camp with children but probably not unless access to the houses is opened to the public.
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