Trail of Tears State Park

Trail of Tears State Park is a public recreation area covering 3,415 acres (1,382 ha) bordering the Mississippi River in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri. The state park stands as a memorial to those Cherokee Native Americans who died on the Cherokee Trail of Tears.^[4] The park's interpretive center features exhibits about the Trail of Tears as well as displays and specimens of local wildlife.^[1] An archaeological site in the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.^[5]

Trail of Tears State Park
Mississippi River overlook
Location in Missouri Show map of Missouri Trail of Tears State Park (the United States) Show map of the United States
Location	Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, United States
Coordinates	37°26′19″N 89°28′52″W[1]
Area	3,415.39 acres (1,382.16 ha)[2]
Elevation	486 ft (148 m)
Established	1957[3]
Administered by	Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Visitors	134,173 (in 2023)[2]
Website	Official website
Trail of Tears State Park Archaeological Site
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Nearest city	Oriole, Missouri
Area	19.3 acres (7.8 ha)
NRHP reference No.	70000326
Added to NRHP	December 2, 1970

Activities and amenities

Activities in the park include camping, picnicking, swimming, hiking, and horseback riding. Fishing is provided at 20-acre (8.1 ha) Lake Boutin and on the Mississippi River. A lookout offers a view of the river and Illinois on the opposite shore.^[4] The park has four trails: Peewah - 9 miles (14 km); Lake – 2.25 miles (3.62 km); Sheppard Point – 1.3 miles (2.1 km); and Nature – 0.6 miles (0.97 km).^[6]

See also

• Cherokee Nation (19th century)