Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site will resume fees for house tours beginning October 5, 2023.
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 house tour ticket fee will be $10, adults; and $6 for adults 62 and older, including all interagency pass holders. Advance online ticket reservations are available via Recreation.gov. Online reservations are strongly recommended, because day-of-visit, last minute tickets are rarely available.
House tour tickets for children (aged 15 and under) will remain free of charge. However, children’s tickets reserved online via recreation.gov will incur $1 non-refundable online processing fee.
Tours are available on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (four days per week) at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. The number of daily tour offerings will increase as budget and staffing allow.
“Free tour” days will be offered on the following dates from October 2023 through October 2024. On these days, free tour tickets will be only available in person on a first come, first served basis. Additional dates may be announced later. Check www.nps.gov/carl for updates.
- Saturday and Sunday, October 14-15, 2023 (Anniversary weekend for Carl Sandburg Home NHS, established on October 17, 1968)
- Saturday, December 30, 2023 (Saturday after local school system’s Christmas break)
- Saturday, January 6, 2024 (Carl Sandburg’s birthday)
- Saturday, March 23, 2024 (First Saturday of local school spring break)
- Saturday, June 15, 2024 (Sandburgs’ wedding anniversary)
- Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20, 2024 Weekend closest to Carl Sandburg Home NHS October 17, 1968, Anniversary)A free park shuttle runs from the main parking lot on Little River Road to the farm area, Sandburg Home, and grounds. The shuttle operates on the days and times the Park Store/Visitor Center and Sandburg Home are open: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Access to the goat farm is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Visitors with mobility concerns are strongly urged to visit when the shuttle is running. For limited accessibility options on other days, visit Parking – Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site.
The Sandburg Home and Park Store/Visitor Center are open Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. These are also the only days that America the Beautiful and other nationwide park passes are sold in the visitor center. Otherwise, visit Recreational Passes | USGS Store
Access to grounds, trails, and the farm is free. Leashed pets are allowed on trails and grounds. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. For park updates and all parking options visit www.nps.gov/carl or follow the park on Facebook.