President Hoover and his wife would entertain guests in this sitting room at Rapidan Camp, the predecessor to Camp David/NPS

A slice of American history lies deep within the rumpled mountains of Shenandoah National Park at Rapidan Camp, the predecessor to today's Camp David presidential retreat. While rangers lead tours to Rapidan Camp, President Herbert Hoover's vacation hideaway, beginning this week you'll have to reserve your tour on-line.

For tours after Labor Day, September 8 through October 25, reservations can be made online via www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Tour space is limited, and reservations can be made between one and 14 days in advance. The system will begin taking reservations on Thursday (14 days in advance of the first tour on September 10).

Walk-in tickets will no longer be available at the park.

For tours before Labor Day, please call (540) 999-3500 ext. 3283 or visit the Harry F. Byrd Sr. Visitor Center (mile 51 on Skyline Drive).

Tours are offered on Sundays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. (as well as 10 a.m. on Saturdays) through October 25. The total tour time (including approximately 30 minutes of travel each way) is 2 ½ hours. The 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. tours also offer space for two wheelchairs. The fee for the Historic Rapidan Camp tour is $10 for adults and free for children 12 and under. Up to eight tickets may be reserved during one transaction.

Because access to Rapidan Camp is via an unpaved administrative road, travel there is limited to participation in a ranger program or by hiking. A ranger-guided tour of Rapidan Camp includes entrance into the restored Brown House (President’s Cabin), the exhibit inside the Prime Minister's Cabin, as well as time exploring the grounds and gardens within this historic landmark. Participants are required to stay with the ranger for the entire length of the tour.

Visitors may also choose to hike to Rapidan Camp, without a reservation, via the 4-mile round-trip Mill Prong Trail that begins at Milam Gap (mile 52.4 on Skyline Drive). Although there is no guarantee that hikers will be able to tour the buildings, a park volunteer might be available to provide access to the Prime Minister's Cabin and the Brown House. Check at the Byrd Visitor for more information on hiking to Rapidan Camp.