Hiking Trails

View from the top of Glassy Mountain Overlook

NPS Image

Hiking within the boundary of the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site can be a peaceful and wonderful experience IF you know where to go! The property has three main trails that all mingle with one another. Each hike has a specified distance, but depending on the route you take and where you begin, it could vary by more than a mile, please keep this in mind when planning your hike.

The parking lots are set away from the main house complex and require walking/hiking to get to all of the trail heads. Please keep this additional distance in mind as well.

We hope you all stay safe and enjoy the beauty of this property just like the Sandburg's did when they lived here!

Glassy Mountain Trail

Glassy Mountain is the most popular trail on the Sandburg's property. The main trailhead for this trail is accross from the farm area. From that point, you can expect a 1.2 mile hike (one way) with a 623 ft. change in elevation. The view from the top of 'Glassy' is arguably the best on the property and can be a great spot to watch the sunset.

Visitors often see birds, and squirrels along the trail with the occasional report of snakes, turkey and deer!

Memminger Trail Loop

The Memminger Trail Loop is a shady loop hike that can be a great walk on a sunny day. This 1 mile, round-trip hike starts just east of the Sandburg Home. Coming from the main parking lot, you will almost certainly pass the trailhead for this hike. It is a hike for those who can appreciate little birds, trees and a moderately strenous hike.

Little Glassy Mountain Trail Loop

As the name suggests this hike is a smaller version of the Glassy Mountain hike. While the view at the top is not quite as vast, Little Glassy Mountain offers much of the same beauty. This hike is .34 miles (one way), but runs down the center of the Memminger Loop making it easy to turn it into a loop hike.

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