Carl Sandburg Home Tour
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site Tours
Tours are available Wednesday to Sunday. If any of those days are showing as unavailable (shaded gray) then tours are sold out for that day.
America the Beautiful Passholders (Senior, Annual, Military, Veteran, 4th Grade, Access, Volunteer) can select up to 4 tickets at the discounted rate. A valid pass must be presented at tour check-in. See the ticket rates below before making a purchase.
- Ex: A visitor with a Senior Lifetime pass who is purchasing tickets for 4 adults can select 4qty Senior Lifetime Pass tickets at $6 each. Then show your Senior Lifetime Pass when you check in for the tour.
- The following dates are "free tour" days. Reservations are not available these days, tickets will be first come, first serve, on the day of.. 2024 - April 20, June 8, June 15, June 19, Aug 4, Sept 28, Oct 19 & 20, Nov 11 (tours go out at 11:00, 12:00, 1;00, 2:00, 3:00)
If the day your are visiting is sold out, please visit our webpage to learn about the many ways you can still enjoy a visit. A video is available on-site for visitors unable to take a tour. The park is located on 270 acres with 5 miles of trails and a dairy goat farm (open 10 am- 4 pm daily). Learn more at https://www.nps.gov/carl/planyourvisit/index.htm.
Taking a guided tour of the historic Carl Sandburg Home is an insightful glimpse into the lives of the Sandburg family. Tours of the home include access to 11 furnished rooms over the top two floors of the three story house.
Select a date to see a list of times
Need to Know
- Tour Arrival
ARRIVE AND PARK AT LEAST 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE START OF YOUR TOUR.
It is a 15 minute walk or shuttle from your car to the Sandburg Home. Check-in is 15 minutes before the start of your tour in the ground floor visitor center/park store of the Sandburg Home.
Example: If you reserve a tour at 1:00 pm, you should plan to arrive at a parking lot by 12:30 pm.
- There are two parking lots to use when you arrive.
- The Main Parking Lot is located at 1800 Little River Rd. It is a 0.7 mile mostly uphill walk to the home. A shuttle is available on tour days from 10:20 am to 4:00 pm, from this parking lot.
- The Hikers' parking lot is located at 1928 Little River Rd. It is a 0.4 mile mostly level walk to the home. The shuttle is not available from this lot.
- Learn more about parking and access at https://www.nps.gov/carl/planyourvisit/parking.htm.
- Please call 828-693-4178 on the day of your visit if you need transportation assistance from the parking lot to the home. A shuttle or other option may be available. A wheelchair accessible shuttle is available on request.
- Access to the historically furnished rooms of the Sandburg Home is available by guided tour only. Tour schedules vary by season.
- There will be no cancellations, tour time changes or refunds issued on the day of reserved tour. All sales are final.
- If you need to cancel, please login to your account and cancel. On the day of the tour, you may call 828-693-4178 to let the rangers know.
- Don't Bring on the Tour
- Pets are not allowed on the tour. Service dogs will be permitted.
- Backpacks, luggage, or large bags are not allowed on the guided tour. There are no facilities in the home to secure belongings. Please plan accordingly.
- Child strollers and infant backpack carriers are prohibited on tours. Soft front carriers are permitted.
- Flash photography is not permitted on house tours. Camera tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks are prohibited.
- What to Expect
- Come prepared for a visit in the outdoors! Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended. There is a long outdoor walk from the parking lot to the home.
- The historic home is not air conditioned. Expect hot, humid conditions in the summer. The home is heated during the cooler months.
- FAQ
What if there are not enough tickets left for my family/group on the day I'm visiting, can they be accomodated without a ticket?
No. Tour capacity is 10 persons regardless of age. All tickets are available for advance reservation. We are not able to accomodate guests without a ticket. There is a firm capacity limit on each tour.
When are tours free?
The following dates are "free tour" days. Reservations are not available these days, tickets will be first come, first serve, on the day of in the Visitor Center/Park Store located in the ground floor of the Sandburg Home.
- 2024 - No Reservations needed for FEE FREE days: April 20, June 8, June 15, June 19, Aug 4, Sept 28, Oct 19 & 20, Nov 11 (tours go out at 11:00, 12:00, 1;00, 2:00, 3:00)
