Trail Of Tears State Park - Missouri State Park - Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Jackson

National and State Parks - Recreational Areas

Home Page
Parks Starting With: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z

Trail Of Tears State Park

State Park Information

State Park Overview
The tragic history that gives Trail of Tears State Park its name provides a sharp contrast to the peaceful, serene setting and the abundance of recreational opportunities enjoyed by visitors today. The 3,415-acre park is a memorial to the Cherokee Indians that lost their lives in a forced relocation -s well as a place for visitors to participate in a variety of outdoor adventures.

The park is located on the site where nine of 13 groups of Cherokee Indians crossed the Mississippi River in harsh winter conditions in 1838-39. Thousands lost their lives on the trail, including dozens on or - the park?s grounds. Legend says that Nancy Bushyhead Hildebrand died and was buried within the park?s boundaries. The Bushyhead Memorial is a tribute to all the Cherokee who died on the trail. The park?s visitor center features exhibits that interpret the forced relocation -s well as the park?s many natural features.

Today, numerous picnic sites are scattered throughout the park and campsites are available in a wooded area and - the river. Anglers can cast their lines in either the Mississippi River or the 20-acre Lake Boutin, stocked with bass, bluegill and catfish. The park?s numerous trails offer opportunities for hiking, backpacking, primitive camping and equestrian pursuits. In winter, the bluffs and cliffs along the river are noted as roosting sites for bald eagles.

Trails
Trail of Tears State Park offers 14.5 miles of trail within the parks 3415-acres.

Peewah Trail -- 10 miles Peewah is an Indian word meaning "come follow in this direction." This trail offers visitors access to the most remote areas of the park. Winding through Indian Creek Wild Area, this trail is approximately 10 miles long and is open to hikers, backpackers and equestrian riders. The trail is divided into four different sections by following various loops of the trail. The green section takes visitors to an overlook located along the Mississippi River and is approximately 1.5-miles round trip. The yellow loop is 3.4 miles and meanders along the Mississippi for a short distance. The red loop is a little under six miles.

Sheppard Point Trail -- 2 miles This trail is a two-mile loop trail that ascends to the top of a beautiful bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. The trail is considered difficult and is open only to hikers due to the rugged terrain.

Lake Trail -- 2 miles The picturesque Lake Trail winds around the basic campground and along a portion of Lake Boutin for approximately two miles.

Nature Trail -- 0.5 miles Nature Trail is the shortest trail in the park. Visitors have spotted white-tailed deer, cottontail rabbits and gray squirrels while hiking along this easy trail.

Picnicking
Numerous picnic sites are scattered throughout the park. There are also two picnic shelters available for use. If not reserved, the shelters are available at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

Greens Ferry Shelter is the smaller of the two shelters. This shelter is - the Bushyhead Memorial and can seat approximately 40 adults. It has vault toilets - fireplace and six tables. It can be reserved for $25 per day.

Wescoat Shelter can seat approximately 100 people. It has modern restrooms, water, electricity, lights, two fireplace grills, 14 tables and a playground nearby. (Warning has potential for flooding MarchJune). Wescoat Shelter can be reserved for $40 per day.

Fishing and Hunting
Fishing

Anglers can cast their lines in the Mississippi River, which offers catfish, perch and carp. Twenty-acre Lake Boutin is stocked with bass, bluegill and catfish. Day usage is from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. April through October 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. November and March and December through February 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Visitors must have a valid Missouri fishing license in order to fish in these areas.

More Info

Department of Natural Resources, Information concerning state parks and state historic sites in
Remembering an American Tragedy Trail of Tears State Park commemorates a tragic event in America
...artment of Natural Resources, Information concerning state parks and state historic sites in
Trail of Tears SP Campground Information Trail of Tears State Park offers basic, electric and

Cape Girardeau Convention & Visitors Bureau offers tourist information, Cape Girardeau area
Mark Twain Trail of Tears The Trail of Tears State Park in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri
...IL OZARK CHAPTER of TEARS SIERRA CLUB GROUP TRAIL OF TEARS STATE PARK NATURALIST PROGRAM Trail of Tears State Park Naturalist Programs July-August 2003 Date Time Program Friday July 4th 200
...come to Rustic Hideaway Cabins! Southern Illinois cabin rental. We currently have log cabins for
Shawnee Forrest for hiking and hunting. Trail of Tears State Park 1 mile. Fishing 1/2 mile

From St. Louis Trail of Tears State Park is approximately two to two and one-half hours from the St. Louis area. Travel south on I-55 to Exit 105 (Fruitland/Jackson). Take Hwy. 61 north for approximately one mile. Turn right onto Hwy. 177 and continue for seven miles. At the four-way stop in front of the Proctor and Gamble Plant, turn right to stay on Hwy. 177. Continue on Hwy. 177 for another 2.8 miles. The entrance to the state park will be on the left right before the Hwy. 177/Route V intersection.

From Jefferson City Trail of Tears State Park is approximately four hours from the Jefferson City area. Travel east on U.S. Hwy. 50 until it ends at I-44 (just past Union). Take I-44 east to Hwy. 141 proceed south to I-55. Take I-55 south Exit 105 (Fruitland/Jackson). Travel north on Hwy. 61 for approximately one mile. Turn right onto Hwy. 177 and continue for seven miles. At the four-way stop in front of the Proctor and Gamble Plant, turn right to stay on Hwy. 177. Continue on Hwy. 177 for another 2.8 miles. The entrance to the state park will be on the left right before the Hwy. 177/Route V intersection.

From Springfield/Joplin Trail of Tears State Park is approximately five hours from the Springfield area. Travel east on I-44 to U.S. Hwy. 65. Take U.S. Hwy. 64 south to U.S. Hwy. 60. Travel east on U.S. Hwy. 60 to I-55 - Miner. Take I-55 north to Exit 105 (Fruitland/Jackson). Travel north on Hwy. 61 for approximately one mile. Turn right onto Hwy. 177 and continue for seven miles. At the four-way stop in front of the Proctor and Gamble Plant, turn right to stay on Hwy. 177. Continue on Hwy. 177 for another 2.8 miles. The entrance to the state park will be on the left right before the Hwy. 177/Route V intersection.

From Carbondale, Ill. Trail of Tears State Park is approximately 2 hours 15 minutes from Carbondale, Ill. Travel south on U.S. Hwy. 51 to IL 146. Stay on IL 146 as it becomes Hwy. 34/74. Turn right onto Hwy. 177 and continue for 12.3 miles. At the stop sign at the junction of Hwy. 177 and Route V, turn right to stay on Hwy. 177. The entrance to the state park will be on the right almost immediately after turning onto Hwy. 177.

From Memphis, Tenn. Trail of Tears State Park is approximately three and one-half hours from Memphis. Travel west on I-40 to I-55. Take Exit 277 toward Blytheville/Jonesboro and merge onto I-55 heading north. Continue on I-55 for 170 miles to Exit 105 (Fruitland/Jackson). Travel north on Hwy. 61 for approximately one mile. Turn right onto Hwy. 177 and continue for seven miles. At the four-way stop in front of the Proctor and Gamble Plant, turn right to stay on Hwy. 177. Continue on Hwy. 177 for another 2.8 miles. The entrance to the state park will be on the left right before the Hwy. 177/Route V intersection.