Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

Things To Do Near Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

If you want to visit the entire Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, consider starting your trip in Cherokee, North Carolina, where you can visit the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and the Cherokee Indian Reservation Welcome Center and view related exhibits at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Then, head southeast into Georgia to see one of the removal camps at Cedartown and the Chieftains Museum in Rome. Make your way west from there to see the numerous sites in Alabama and Arkansas before ending your tour in Oklahoma. If you are coming from the northern United States, consider starting the trail in Kentucky by visiting Gray’s Inn, Mantle Rock, and Redford Farm before visiting numerous sites in Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas before ending your visit in Oklahoma. 

Hiking Trails

• Lake Trail 

  The Lake Trail in the Trail of Tears State Park starts near the Boutin Lake Boat Ramp. It is especially a beautiful path to hike in the spring when the tulip poplars and periwinkle are blooming. You can also see the rare pennywort plant along this circular path. 

  Location

  429 Moccasin Springs Road, Jackson, MO 63755 

  Length

  2.25 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

• Mantle Rock Trail 

  The Mantle Rock Trail is within the Mantle Rock Nature Preserve, and it is the site where about 1,700 Cherokees waited for the Ohio River’s ice to thaw during the winter of 1838. The trail follows a creek most of the way and crosses a natural rock suspension bridge. There are historical markings along this path related to the Trail of Tears. Call in advance so that nearby staff will unlock the preserve. 

  Location

  Mantle Rock Road, Smithland, KY 42081 

  Length

  2.5 miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Military Road Trail 

  Walk along the Military Road Trail in Village Creek State Park. This trail that starts at Austell Dam was initially part of the Memphis to Little Rock Road that was constructed expressly for the Trail of Tears forced relocation. The trail snakes around Crowley’s Ridge before reaching a figure 8 section, which you can hike the upper or lower section first. Placards along the route provide more information. 

  Location

  201 County Road 754, Wynne, AR 72396 

  Length

  2.1 miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

Sightseeing

• Red Clay State Historic Park 

  Red Clay State Historic Park was the last seat of the Cherokee Native American government before the Trail of Tears began. It was at this site that the people first learned that they had lost their ancestral grounds. Listen to park rangers tell Cherokee legends, learn about some of the historical buildings, and take a medicine plant hike. 

  Location

  1140 Red Clay Park Road Southwest, Cleveland, TN 37311

• Snelson-Brinker House 

  See the log cabin at Snelson-Brinker House. The nearby cemetery contains several burials from the Trail of Tears. Numerous camps were built at this location during the forced relocation. 

  Location

  Missouri 8, Steelville, MO 65565 

Museums

• Museum of the Cherokee Indian 

  Start your visit by seeing the 26-foot, hand-carved statue of Sequoyah, the inventor of the Cherokee alphabet. Once inside, learn about the 11,000-year history of the Cherokee people in this region through interactive displays. Computer-generated holograms and other imagery, sound, and special effects bring the story to life. Shop in the gift shop for artwork made by the Cherokee people. 

  Location

  589 Tsali Boulevard, Cherokee, NC 28719

• Sequoyah Birthplace Museum 

  Learn more about the three years that Sequoyah spent in almost total isolation creating the Cherokee language. Despite being uneducated, he used his artistic abilities to develop a writing system that the Cherokee people started using almost overnight to communicate with each other. Learn more about his life and time in isolation through this museum’s exhibits. 

  Location

  576 Tennessee 360, Vonore, TN 37885

• Tennessee River Museum 

  The Tennessee River Museum offers visitors the chance to learn more about the ancient tools used by people living along the river. There are also exhibits related to the river's role during the Trail of Tears as some people were transported down the river before being forced to walk over land. Steamboats and the Civil War are also covered in exhibits at this museum. 

  Location

  435 Main Street, Savannah, TN 38372 

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Rabbit Studios 

  Select from artwork featuring Native American symbolism and events at Rabbit Studios. The originals are hand-painted by Tammi Roberts, but she also sells reproductions. You can also find some gifts at this store. 

  Location

  231 South Taylor, Pryor, OK 74361

• The Sky Gallery 

  Check out the artwork by many Oklahoma artists. For example, one artist whose work you will want to see is Cherokee Copper’s, who fashions jewelry out of copper with Native American symbolism on it. Other items are made with seeds and other natural objects. 

  Location

  1401 East 11th Street, Tulsa, OK 74120

• The Standard at the Smith House 

  Enjoy dining in the historic dining room at The Standard at the Smith House. Start your meal with a delicious green tomato appetizer. Then, move on to an outstanding steak or a chicken entrée. 

  Location

  167 Rosa Parks Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37203 

• Kitchen 66 

  You are never sure what restaurant will have taken over Kitchen 66 because they allow start-up restaurants to impress customers with the quality of their food while they are earning money to open their location. Therefore, you will want to visit this location often. 

  Location

  1124 South Lewis Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74104

How To Get To Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

Many choose to start their adventure exploring the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail at New Echota State Historic Site in Calhoun, Georgia. This location contains 13 historical buildings and an interpretative center. It is easy to get to this site that was once the home to the Cherokee government from Atlanta. Get on Interstate 75 North and follow it to Exit 317. Then, turn right on Georgia 225 North, and the destination will be on your right. 

Address

New Echota Historic Site, 1211 Georgia 225, Calhoun, Georgia 30701 

Fee: Entry Fee (per person)

There is no entry fee.

The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail is spread across nine states and covers more than 2,200 miles. Native Americans were forced to hike or ride in boats along three diverse trails as the United States government relocated them to present-day Oklahoma. With so many places to explore, you will want to bring your RV. That way, you can stop almost anywhere.