Ranger-Guided Activities

View of Carl Sandburg's Downstairs Office

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Tour the Sandburg Home

ALERT: While the park recovers from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, tours are free and only available on a first come, first serve basis. Please call 828-693-4178 to ask about tour availability for same day visits.

What to Expect:

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 are 30-45 minutes and include access to 11 furnished rooms over the top two floors of the three story house.

The interior appears almost exactly how it looked when the Sandburg family lived here. Take a tour inside the home to learn about the story of Carl Sandburg's legacy to America's literary history, Mrs. Sandburg's leadership in agriculture, and the many family memories and moments experienced at home.

Tours are currently offered Wednesday through Sunday at 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, & 3:00. We recommend showing up 30 minutes before your tour to secure your spot. For larger groups, please call ahead or arrive earlier. The maximum number of visitors on each tour is 10 people.

Please note that the only way to see the inside of the Sandburg's Home is on a guided tour or through out online virtual tour.



*When tour reservations resume*
Make advance reservations for Sandburg Home tours at recreation.gov!
Access to the historically furnished rooms is by guided tour only.

• Tours are available Wednesday - Sunday at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm.
• Advance reservations available at recreation.gov. and are strongly recommended as day-of visit tickets may not be available. Maximum of 10 people per 30-minute tour.
• House tour fees are $10 for adults; $6 for 62 and older and all interagency pass holders. House tour tickets for children (aged 15 and under) are free of charge except for online reservations which incur a $1 online processing fee.
  • House tour fees fund interpretive and preservation efforts in the house, including house tours, free school programs, exhibits and curatorial support for the 38,000 museum objects on display in the house.
• The only way to see the furnished interior of the Sandburg Home is through a guided tour or by virtual tour.
• Strollers are not permitted on the house tour, but there is a place to leave them for storage. Infants and small children should be carried through the house while on tour.

• Reservations: Reserving in advance at recreation.gov lets you pick your preferred house tour time. Advanced reservations, are strongly recommended as day-of visit tickets may not be available. (The only way to see the furnished interior of the Sandburg Home in-person is through a guided tour.). Please note: Tours can only be purchased with a credit card. *No reservations at this time as we currently are first come, first serve.*