| 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″N89°28′52″W / 37.438729°N 89.480984°W /37.438729; -89.480984[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 | |
| Nearest city | Oriole, Missouri |
| Area | 19.3 acres (7.8 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000326 |
| Added to NRHP | December 2, 1970 |
Trail of Tears State Park is a public recreation area covering 3,415 acres (1,382 ha) bordering theMississippi River inCape Girardeau County,Missouri. Thestate park stands as a memorial to thoseCherokeeNative Americans who died on theCherokee 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 theNational Register of Historic Places in 1970.[5]
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 andIllinois 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]
Geographical features ofCape Girardeau County, Missouri | ||
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