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.[5] The park's interpretive center features exhibits about the Trail of Tears as well as displays and specimens of local wildlife.[6] An archaeological site in the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.[7]
| Trail of Tears State Park | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Location in Missouri  Trail of Tears State Park (the United States) | |
| Location | Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, United States |
| Coordinates | 37°28′20″N 89°29′37″W / 37.47222°N 89.49361°W[1] |
| Area | 3,415.39 acres (13.8216 km2)[2] |
| Elevation | 486 ft (148 m)[1] |
| Established | 1957[3] |
| Visitors | 109,867 (in 2022)[4] |
| Governing body | Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Trail of Tears State Park |
Trail of Tears State Park Archaeological Site | |
| Nearest city | Oriole, Missouri |
| Area | 19.3 acres (7.8 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000326 |
| Added to NRHP | December 2, 1970 |
Activities and amenities
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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.[5] 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).[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Trail of Tears State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ "Trail of Tears State Park: Data Sheet" (PDF). Missouri Department of Natural Resources. November 2017. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
- ^ "State Park Land Acquisition Summary". Missouri State Parks. August 25, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
- ^ "Missouri State Park Attendance For January - December, 2022" (PDF). Missouri State Parks. February 3, 2023.
- ^ a b "Trail of Tears State Park". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. December 10, 2010. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
- ^ "Trail of Tears State Park: Visitor Center". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. February 10, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
- ^ "Trail of Tears State Park Archaeological Site". NPGallery. National Park Service. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
- ^ "Trail of Tears State Park: Trails". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
External links
edit- Trail of Tears State Park Missouri Department of Natural Resources
- Trail of Tears State Park Map Missouri Department of Natural Resources