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Trump's Bedminster Estate: The Summer White House Explained

Complete guide to Trump National Golf Club Bedminster — the 525-acre New Jersey estate that serves as the president's summer retreat, golf headquarters, and political hub.

Introduction

While Mar-a-Lago captures the winter headlines, Trump National Golf Club Bedminster quietly serves as the president's most important warm-weather retreat. Located in Somerset County, New Jersey, this 525-acre estate has been a fixture in Trump's life since he acquired it in 2002, and it has played an increasingly prominent role during his presidency. Bedminster offers something unique among Trump's properties: a combination of world-class golf, rural privacy, and proximity to both New York City and Washington, D.C. that makes it an ideal summer base of operations. At LocateTrump.com, our tracking data consistently shows Bedminster as one of the top three most-visited presidential locations, with visits concentrated heavily in the May-through-September window when the estate becomes the de facto Summer White House.

The Property: 525 Acres of Championship Golf

Trump National Golf Club Bedminster spans 525 acres of rolling New Jersey countryside in the heart of Somerset County, approximately 40 miles west of Manhattan. The property features two 18-hole championship golf courses: the Old Course, designed by Tom Fazio, which has hosted multiple USGA events, and the New Course, also designed by Fazio, which offers a distinctly different playing experience. The clubhouse is a stately building that serves as both a social hub for club members and, when the president is in residence, a de facto presidential office. The grounds include a private residence where Trump stays during visits, extensive practice facilities, a swimming pool, and tennis courts. The property's elevation and wooded terrain provide natural privacy and security advantages that government agencies have enhanced with permanent infrastructure including communications equipment, helicopter landing zones for Marine One, and Secret Service facilities.

Why Trump Prefers Bedminster in Summer

The seasonal shift from Mar-a-Lago to Bedminster follows a simple logic: weather. Palm Beach temperatures regularly exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit with oppressive humidity during summer months, making outdoor activities uncomfortable and reducing the appeal of the Florida social scene, which largely shuts down after Easter. Bedminster's northern New Jersey location offers significantly more comfortable summer weather, with average highs in the upper 70s to low 80s and cool evenings that make golf far more pleasant. Beyond climate, Bedminster's proximity to New York City allows Trump to maintain connections to the New York media landscape and business contacts, while being close enough to Washington for a quick return via helicopter and Air Force One when necessary. The property's dual championship courses also mean the president never has to leave the grounds for golf, simplifying security logistics considerably.

Bedminster as a Political Hub

Bedminster has hosted numerous political meetings, strategy sessions, and even press conferences during the Trump presidency. Cabinet members have traveled to the estate for working meetings, and political allies frequently visit during weekend stays. The informal atmosphere of a golf club provides a different dynamic than the formality of the White House West Wing, and Trump has used this setting to conduct interviews, hold impromptu press gaggles on the clubhouse patio, and meet with advisors in a more relaxed environment. Bedminster was also the site of significant legal proceedings, as it was where federal agents delivered an indictment summons in 2023 and where classified documents were reportedly stored. These events elevated Bedminster's public profile and generated enormous media coverage that our tracking system captured in detail through multiple news source confirmations.

Security Infrastructure at Bedminster

The Secret Service has invested heavily in permanent security infrastructure at Bedminster, transforming it from a private golf club into a facility capable of supporting the President of the United States. A helicopter landing zone allows Marine One to deliver the president directly to the property without a motorcade through local roads. Communications equipment ensures secure presidential connectivity at all times. Perimeter security includes surveillance systems, access control points, and coordination with local law enforcement agencies including the Bedminster Township Police Department and the Somerset County Sheriff's Office. When the president is in residence, temporary flight restrictions are imposed over the area, and additional agents are deployed throughout the property and surrounding areas. These security measures, while less visible than those at the White House, represent a substantial ongoing federal investment that enables the estate to function as a genuine presidential retreat.

How Often Does Trump Visit Bedminster?

Our real-time tracking data provides precise insights into Bedminster visit frequency. The estate typically sees its first presidential visit of the year in May, as the weather warms and the golf season begins in earnest. From May through September, the president frequently spends weekends at Bedminster, following a pattern similar to the winter Mar-a-Lago routine: departing Washington on Friday, spending Saturday and Sunday at the property with golf and meetings, and returning to the White House on Sunday evening or Monday morning. Peak Bedminster usage typically occurs in July and August, when the combination of warm weather, Congressional recess, and the absence of major legislative deadlines creates extended opportunities for retreat-style presidential activity. Our travel statistics dashboard shows the monthly breakdown, and filtering by location reveals exactly how Bedminster compares to Mar-a-Lago and the White House across the calendar year.

Track Bedminster Visits Live

Want to know if Trump is at Bedminster right now? Our live presidential tracker on the homepage displays the most recently confirmed location, updated in real time as new reports are confirmed by our multi-source monitoring system. When multiple news outlets report the president's arrival at Bedminster, the tracker automatically updates and the map marker moves to Somerset County, New Jersey. You can also explore the complete record of past Bedminster visits on our location history timeline, or see how Bedminster ranks against other presidential locations on the travel statistics dashboard. For a visual overview of the president's seasonal migration pattern between Washington, Palm Beach, and Bedminster, try the 30-Day Replay feature on our interactive map.
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LocateTrump Research Team

An independent team of developers, data analysts, and researchers tracking presidential location and activity using publicly available information from 10+ major news sources. Operating continuously since January 20, 2025. All content follows our editorial standards for source verification and accuracy.

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