Fog rises over the pasture to the barn / NPS

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site is partially reopening after repairs from damage sustained during Hurricane Helene.

The hikers’ lot with access to most grounds and trails opened on December 23, 2024 as part of a phased reopening. Videos, passport stamps, bark ranger information, and junior ranger booklets will be available in the garage near the Sandburg Home.

The hikers’ lot will be the only available parking, and it only has space for 24 cars. The lot is busiest and can be full between 10am and 3pm with weekends being busier than weekdays. Please only park in designated spaces. If the lot is full, come back at another time. There are no designated parking spaces or sidewalks along Little River Road.

Visitors who need accessible parking should call the phone number posted in the hikers’ lot. Limited options may be available.

“We are excited to welcome visitors back to the park during our partial re-opening and thank everyone for their patience during our continued cleanup and repair efforts,” said Superintendent Polly Angelakis.

Services and facilities that will remain closed during this phase include the Sandburg Home and tours, park store, barn, Front Lake parking lot and trail, drinking water, and flush toilets.

Portable toilets are available for visitors to use and are located at the hikers' lot, amphitheater entrance, and by the restrooms near the Sandburg Home. Portable toilets will be in use until further notice while the park goes through the funding, compliance, and repair processes to fix the main sewer line, which was destroyed by Helene flooding.

Visitor should dress for the weather and bring drinking water as there is no visitor access to water at this time.Maps showing open or closed areas are posted near the hikers’ lot, barn entrance, Sandburg Home garage, and restrooms by the Sandburg Home.

Signs and barriers are posted by all closed areas. For your safety, please stay out of closed areas.Front Lake parking lot and trail remain closed.

Helene flooding washed out 2 bridges on this trail and carved a deep ravine. There is no way to access park grounds, buildings, or trails from Front Lake. The park is going through the funding, compliance, and contracting processes to install a temporary bridge so this trail and the Front Lake parking lot can reopen.

Front Lake dam, which failed in 2022, suffered further destruction by Hurricane Helene. The new damage is substantial. The previously approved repair plan (which included design, compliance, contracting, and a 2025-26 timetable) must be redone due to the additional, substantial damage. 

The park closed in late September 2024 due to severe impacts from Helene. Since then, emergency cleanup crews have been shared between NC, SC, and TN national park units affected by Helene. These units include Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mts, Ninety Six, Cowpens, and Carl Sandburg Home. The park does not have any other re-opening information at this time. Please check their Facebook Page or www.nps.gov/carl for updates.