Are you the owner for this storage? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Trail Of Tears
Overview
Trail of Tears State Park in Jackson, Missouri, offers a profound blend of natural beauty and historical significance. Spanning over 3,400 acres along the banks of the Mississippi River, this park serves as a memorial to the Cherokee people who crossed the river here during their forced migration. It provides a peaceful retreat where visitors can reflect on history while enjoying the diverse landscapes of the Mississippi River hills.
Location & Surroundings
Nestled in Cape Girardeau County, the park is characterized by its steep bluffs and lush hardwood forests. The setting is notably secluded, offering a quiet escape from the bustle of the nearby interstate. Travelers will find themselves surrounded by the rugged terrain of the Ozark foothills, with several overlooks providing sweeping views of the river. The natural environment is a haven for migratory birds and local wildlife, making every drive through the park scenic.
Amenities & Park Features
The park features two distinct camping areas catering to different styles of travel. The Mississippi River Campground offers sites with electric and water hookups, while the Lakeview Campground provides basic and electric options near the water. On-site facilities include a modern visitor center with interpretive exhibits, clean shower houses, and a dump station. Outdoor enthusiasts can utilize the boat ramp on the river or enjoy the swimming beach and fishing docks at Lake Boutin.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Beyond the historical exhibits, the park boasts miles of multi-use trails, including the Peppard Hollow Trail for hiking and equestrian use. Fishing for bass and crappie in the 20-acre Lake Boutin is a popular pastime. Just a short drive away, the city of Cape Girardeau offers additional dining, shopping, and the Missouri Wall of Fame. Visitors can also explore the Old North High Bridge for more dramatic river views and local history.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for history enthusiasts and nature photographers looking for a meaningful connection to the landscape. It is well-suited for RVers who prefer a rustic, state park atmosphere over a commercial resort experience. Families will appreciate the educational opportunities at the museum and the recreational space at the lake. It is a perfect choice for those seeking a quiet, reflective stay within a well-preserved natural environment.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Arthur Merdinian
This is a small camp ground compared to other state parks. The website talks a bit about the trains. They are close and loud when the go past. I did not feel as though there were that many for our 2 night stay. I enjoyed watching the barges go by.
Debra A
I visited the Park specifically to hike the AllTrails Trail of Tears State Park Nature Trail and found a nice natural trail through woods that is accessible just behind the Park's visitor center. Challenges presented on 10/08/25 were lots of leaves obscuring some tricky roots to avoid. Otherwise, it was "moist" but not muddy and an enjoyable, if short, walk. The drive to the overlook afterwards is very rewarding. But the visitor center hours are odd even for a Missouri State Park.
Destiney Wiggins
How could you not rate this place well. I've only done part of Peewah trail but I did that some months ago and I loved it. Last week I did Sheppard Point which I also really enjoyed! I couldn't see much of the river at the end due to the trees but the trail itself was clean and easy to follow. The park itself is well kept up with and can't wait to go back as I get time
Richard Spangler
Campground is beautiful, not on top of other campers. View of the Mississippi is peaceful. They do warn you that there is an active train tracks next to the campground and the trains do blow their horns for an extended period of time day or night.
Becky Buchheit
Beautiful state park with a rich history. They have RV and tent camping available. There are several hiking trails, and a beautiful lake with a designated beach area. There are two shower houses and a nice visitors center.
Jane O
We enjoyed our stay here and plan to return. All employees we encountered were very nice and helpful. The grass was high but, per the maintenance guys, we were in very popular sites and they are not allowed to mow while the sites are occupied. Our solution, when we return, we will bring a weedeater. The train tracks are VERY close but, after the first night, it didn't bother any of us. The hiking trail we took was well maintained and relaxing. We also enjoyed the scenic overlooks in the park.
Jennifer Raye
Beautiful park! Hiked the Sheppard Point Trail to the Mississippi River lookout. We've had an incredibly rainy spring, and the trail was very muddy and slow-going, but well-maintained. I appreciated that we could check at the Visitors Center to be sure the trail wasn't impassable. The ground was littered with these flowers from a kind of tulip tree.
Luke Gorski
Pretty awesome park with great views of the Shawnee Hills on the other side of the Mississippi. I will say some of the trails (specifically the red loop) are some of the most overgrown I've seen in Missouri State Parks, and I imagine that won't change much, given it's a wild area (I think). The lake trail is nice, and I think the other thing that would make this park better is a connector between the lake trail and the yellow loop through the woods.
John Missel
While we didn’t have much time before sunset, we had a peaceful hike for a couple of miles with our favorite buddies! What a lovely trail that was.
Kyle
While I am not a state park expert, I have stayed in many of Missouri's state parks, including Lake Wappapello, Van Meter, Mark Twain National Forest, etc. Additionally, I've camped plenty of times all over the state of Missouri in private locations as well. Whoever decided it was a good idea to put a campground next to an active railroad was not thinking. The train rips through every 2-4 hours with its horn blazing all through the night. It's hard to tell from aerial photos, but the train tracks are less than 200' away. Just when you get to sleep here comes the train. 8 pm, 11 pm, 2 am, 5 am, etc. This was quite possibly the worst sleep I have ever gotten in a state park. This alone is worth giving 1 star. I later realized they even put up a sign that says "no refunds for train traffic," which probably is needed because enough people complained about it. If you don't plan to camp here, there are some pretty views, a boat launch ramp, and fishing on the Mississippi River. I think it may be good to visit, but do NOT camp here unless you plan to stay up all night. My only hope in leaving 1 star is that I can save at least one person from getting the world's worst sleep, unfortunately, if you want to camp in a state park there's not a ton of options in this immediate area.