Trail of Tears State Park
Map showing the location of Trail of Tears State Park
Map showing the location of Trail of Tears State Park
Location in Missouri
Map showing the location of Trail of Tears State Park
Map showing the location of Trail of Tears State Park
Trail of Tears State Park (the United States)
LocationCape Girardeau County, Missouri, United States
Coordinates37°28′20″N 89°29′37″W / 37.47222°N 89.49361°W / 37.47222; -89.49361[1]
Area3,415.39 acres (13.8216 km2)[2]
Elevation486 ft (148 m)[1]
Established1957[3]
Governing bodyMissouri Department of Natural Resources
WebsiteTrail of Tears State Park
Trail of Tears State Park
Archaeological Site
Nearest cityOriole, Missouri
Area19.3 acres (7.8 ha)
NRHP reference No.70000326
Added to NRHPDecember 2, 1970

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.[5] An archaeological site in the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.[6]

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).[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Trail of Tears State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ "Trail of Tears State Park: Data Sheet" (PDF). Missouri Department of Natural Resources. November 2017. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  3. ^ "State Park Land Acquisition Summary". Missouri State Parks. August 25, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Trail of Tears State Park". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. December 10, 2010. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  5. ^ "Trail of Tears State Park: Visitor Center". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. February 10, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  6. ^ "Trail of Tears State Park Archaeological Site". NPGallery. National Park Service. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  7. ^ "Trail of Tears State Park: Trails". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved May 3, 2018.

External links

Geographical features of Cape Girardeau County, Missouri
Protected areas of Missouri
U.S. National Register of Historic Places in Missouri
Cherokee
Categories