One of three picnic areas at Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site
There are three picnic areas at Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, all located in the vicinity of the Visitor Center and the FDR Presidential Library. These are table-only picnic areas—no grills—and all tables are taken on a first come, first served basis. It is possible to hold a group event, but permits are required, and you still have to get to the park first thing in the morning to ensure you get tables. For more information, visit the National Park Service’s official Permits and Reservations web page for the park. Ultimately, with no grills or guarantee of tables, not to mention that the picnic areas aren’t out of the way and will thus have a lot of people walking through the area, the park isn’t the best place for group events.
Eight wooden tables are located in a grove of trees in the field in front of the main entrance to the library. If you find yourself staring at the building while near a vegetable garden and with no picnic tables in sight, you are on the backside of the building. The picnic area is on the other side.
Picnic area in a grove of trees near the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library in Hyde Park, New York
There is pavilion with eight metal picnic tables—no splinters in your butt—just outside the north entrance to the Visitor Center. This is not the entrance facing the main parking lot (the west side) but the side facing the vehicle passenger drop-off area. If you are standing with your back to the entrance door, the pavilion is off to the right at your 2 o’clock position.
Picnic pavilion by the Visitor Center at Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site
A third picnic area with nine wooden tables is hidden away on the east side of the Visitor Center in an area that doesn’t get too much traffic. If you are inside the building and can exit through the east side doors (maybe they are locked), you’ll come out right at the picnic area. Otherwise, exit through the north entrance, turn right, and just walk the length of the building. When you get to the end, the tables are just around the corner to the right. The pavilion will be off to your left.
Picnic tables on the east side of the Visitor Center at Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site
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Last updated on April 2, 2025
