Private Guided Tours

Planning information

• Plan a guided tour using the request form below.
• Guided tours are $200 per guide. This fee is waived for K-12 school groups.
• Tours can be scheduled on Mondays and Tuesdays between May 1 and October 21. (We do not offer guided tours outside of these dates.)
• Tours can be scheduled to start between 4:30 and 6:30 PM.
• Lakewood does not provide vehicles. To plan a trolley or bus tour, you will need to make your own arrangements with a separate rental service or other source.
• Tours include the historic Memorial Chapel (exterior and interior) but do not enter the Welcome Center or mausoleums.

Tour Themes

Choose one of these themes for your private guided tour:

Discover Lakewood – Walking Tour – Our most popular tour!

• This walking tour takes guests from Lakewood’s historic Memorial Chapel on a loop around our oldest section, with scenic views of nearby Bde Maka Ska. This is a wonderful tour for those who haven’t been to Lakewood before and want to learn about our history, nature, buildings, and some notable residents.
• The walking route is about 3/4 mile on paved roads and turf grass, including some uneven terrain. (The route can be adapted to stay on roads if needed.)
• The complete tour (walking loop and chapel visit) lasts about 60-90 minutes.
• This tour starts and ends at Lakewood’s historic chapel where guests have access to restrooms. Due to the historic nature of this building, the facilities are not wheelchair or walker accessible.

Discover Lakewood – Bus Tour

• Take a guided tour of Lakewood’s winding roads and scenic vistas. On this tour you’ll learn about Lakewood’s history with a focus on notable residents who are memorialized throughout our vast grounds.
• Please note: Lakewood does not provide a bus or trolley. Groups must independently secure their own vehicle. Your step-on guide will help your driver follow the route as you go.
• The complete tour (driving loop and chapel visit) lasts about 60-90 minutes.
• This tour starts and ends at Lakewood’s historic chapel where guests have access to restrooms. Due to the historic nature of this building, the facilities are not wheelchair or walker accessible.

Legacy Trees of Lakewood – Walking Tour – Introduction to the Arboretum

• Join Lakewood’s volunteer guides to walk a loop that introduces you to the arboretum. Topics include tree diversity, benefits, identification, and, of course, their beauty.
• Please note: This tour has limited availability. We recommend ample lead time (at least four weeks) and being flexible about dates.
• The walking route is about 3/4 mile on paved roads and turf grass, including some uneven terrain.
• The complete tour lasts about 60-90 minutes.

• Plan a guided tour using the request form below.
• The $200 fee is waived for K-12 school groups.
• Tours can be scheduled on Mondays and Tuesdays between May 1 and October 21. (We do not offer guided tours outside of these dates.)
• Tours can be scheduled to start between 4:30 and 6:30 PM.
• Lakewood does not provide vehicles. To plan a trolley or bus tour, you will need to make your own arrangements with a separate rental service or other source.
• Tours include the historic Memorial Chapel (exterior and interior) but do not enter the Welcome Center or mausoleums.
• As an alternative to a guided tour, self-guided school groups are also welcome. Begin your planning process using the request form below. We encourage educators to enrich and inform their group’s experience by using resources at the bottom of this page.

• Groups of 15 people or more must use the request form below.
• There is no fee for self-guided groups.
• Self-guided groups are only allowed during hours when Lakewood’s gates are open.
• Please be sensitive and respectful of others’ privacy and avoid funerals or graveside services.  This includes mausoleums as well as grounds.
• Building access:
  • Self-guided groups cannot access the chapel except during business hours (8 AM – 4:30 PM) when there are no services or events in the space. To inquire if the chapel is available, please contact our office at 612-822-2171 the day before your visit.
  • Access to the Welcome Center is limited to business hours.
  • Access to mausoleums is limited to their regular public hours, 10 AM to 4:30 PM every day.

We encourage self-guided groups to enrich and inform their experiences by using resources at the bottom of this page.

Lakewood’s tour season is May 1 through October 21. Tours can be planned on Mondays and Tuesdays to start between 4:30 and 6:30 PM.

Private guided tours are $200 per guide. Groups larger than 20 people require at least two guides and a fee will be assessed per guide. (This fee is waived for K-12 groups. There is no fee for self-guided groups.)

Fees are due one week prior to your tour. There is no deposit required to reserve a tour. Cash, check and credit card are accepted. Please make checks payable to the Lakewood Heritage Foundation (a 501(c)(3) organization).

Lakewood does not offer refunds without a week’s notice from the group organizer. If your tour is cancelled due to severe weather and cannot be rescheduled, a full refund will be issued.

Lakewood will only cancel tours in the event of dangerous or hazardous weather conditions. This may include severe storms, extreme heat, or snow/icy road conditions. If your visit is cancelled due to severe weather and cannot be rescheduled, a full refund will be issued.