Information for Groups
Due to COVID-19 group reservations are limited. House Tours are available through recreation,gov, as group reservations are not accepted at this time.
You are strongly encouraged to contact the park if you are visiting with more than 10 people in your group, even if it is just a family visit or a big motorcoach tour. We strive to make your visit the best experience it can be!
Accessibility: Please call 828-707-8125 to reach park staff for directions to limited accessible parking inside the park.
- The Main Visitor Parking Lot is located at 1800 Little River Rd, Flat Rock, NC.
- From the main parking lot the walk to the Sandburg Home is 0.3 miles with 110' change in elevation uphill on a natural trail surface.
- The pedestrian bridge over the Front Lake dam at the main park entrance is closed. To access park buildings, restrooms, and trails on foot during the closure, visitors must now walk an additional 0.4 mile around Front Lake, and then walk 1/3 mile up a steeply graded hill to the Sandburg Home and farm. Be prepared for this detour when you arrive. View a trail map with the detour here.
- Find additional parking information here.
Due to the nature of the park's location on mountainous terrain, visitors will encounter changes in grade, uneven pathways and gravel paths. Please call ahead for more information or seek the assistance of a ranger at the start of your visit.
For a tour bus group with limited time, the following opportunities are available:
- Virtual House Tour or Grounds Tour
- Step-on Ranger talk in your bus (15-30 minutes)
- 30-minute Ranger talk at the front lake with views of the Sandburg Home and property in the background. Seating for 15 available, minimal walking.
Visiting without a Reservation
Small groups may choose to visit the park without the need for a reservation. There are still options to enjoy the park experience if you are not able to reserve a house tour. We do have Virtual Tour options as well.
House Tour: You may make reservations for groups of up to 8 people per tour on recreation.gov. Learn how the Sandburg family lived as a National Park Service Ranger or volunteer guides you through the house. Tours are 30 minutes and for groups are scheduled every 30 minutes. Please remember tours are limited to 8 persons (no exceptions). Tour seasons vary, please check our operating hours as you make plans.
Visiting the Barn: Mrs. Sandburg owned and operated the Chikaming Goat Dairy. At its peak there were over 200 goats at Connemara! Mrs. Sandburg's goats were renowned for their quality milk production and superior breeding. Park volunteers at the barn are happy to answer any questions your group may have about Mrs. Sandburg's Chikaming goatherd.
Audio-Visual Film: Your trip to Connemara would not be complete without seeing our video of an interview between Mr. Sandburg and Edward R. Murrow. It is approximately 12 minutes in length and can be viewed in the garage building next to the Sandburg Home.
Hiking: Mr. Sandburg used to take his chair out to some of the rock outcroppings along the trail to sit and write or just to sit. He enjoyed observing his natural surroundings. There are numerous trails at Connemara, which vary in length and difficulty. Please allow time for your group to explore this beautiful setting. We encourage you to pick up a map at the park bookstore when planning your hike, or download one here.
Park Store
America’s National Parks operates a park store with a great variety of items related to the literary career of Carl Sandburg, his family and Mrs. Sandburg’s dairy goats.
