The dominant safety concern at Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site is the surrounding St. Louis County's elevated violent crime rate, recorded at 473.6 incidents per 100,000 residents in 2023 — a figure notably higher than the national average. This urban-edge setting means visitors should factor neighborhood context into their planning, particularly for evening visits or leaving vehicles unattended in parking areas.
Keep valuables locked in your trunk or left at home entirely, and plan your visit during daylight hours when site staff are present and foot traffic is higher. St. Louis County also logged 11 hail events and 4 tornadoes in recent years, so check the National Weather Service forecast before heading out and identify the site's nearest solid structure — the historic buildings themselves can serve as shelter if a storm rolls in fast. A portable weather radio is worth tossing in your bag for this one.
Top recorded hazards in St. Louis County
County dataFrom NOAA Storm Events (2024). Counts of recorded incidents — not all occurred at this park.
- Hail 11
- Thunderstorm Wind 5
- Tornado 4
- Flash Flood 2
- Flood 1
- Heavy Rain 1
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About Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site
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.
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.