State Park

Trail of Tears State Park

Cape Girardeau County, MissouriAbout 3,485 acresEstablished 1957
Status
Status not postedDaily 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Apr 1 – Oct 31)
Entrance fee
Statewide rule — see below
Day-use reservations
None mentioned
Dogs
Dogs allowed, with restrictions10-ft leash
Camping
Yes
Official site
mostateparks.com(573) 290-5284

Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current

Overview

A distant, hazy view of the Mississippi River from the Trail of Tears State Park in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri Keywords: trte;…
A distant, hazy view of the Mississippi River from the Trail of Tears State Park in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri Keywords: trte;…. Photo: National Trails Office ( US National Park Service ). Public domain (US federal government work)

Trail of Tears State Park is a 3,485-acre park in Cape Girardeau County, about 11 miles northeast of Jackson.

Popular activities here are horseback riding, swimming, boating, fishing, and ranger programs. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach. Overnight options include 2 camping areas, with RV sites with full hookups and tent sites.

Hours

Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.

FacilityDaysHoursSeason
ParkDaily7 a.m. – 10 p.m.Apr 1 – Oct 31
Daily7 a.m. – 6 p.m.Nov 1 – Mar 31
Office — Summer Hours (on-season)Mon–Sat9 a.m. – 5 p.m.Apr 1 – Sep 30
Sunnoon – 5 p.m.Apr 1 – Sep 30
Other — OctoberThu–Sat9 a.m. – 5 p.m.—
Sunnoon – 5 p.m.—
Mon–WedClosed—
Office — Winter Hours (off-season)Sat10 a.m. – 4 p.m.Nov 1 – Mar 31
Sunnoon – 4 p.m.Nov 1 – Mar 31
Mon–FriClosed—
Other — AprilSat10 a.m. – 4 p.m.—
Sunnoon – 4 p.m.—
Mon–FriClosed—
Wed–Sat9 a.m. – 5 p.m.May 1 – Sep 30
Sunnoon – 5 p.m.May 1 – Sep 30
Mon, TueClosed—
Thu–Sat9 a.m. – 5 p.m.May 1 – Sep 30
Sunnoon – 5 p.m.May 1 – Sep 30
Mon–WedClosed—
Sat10 a.m. – 4 p.m.May 1 – Sep 30
Sunnoon – 4 p.m.May 1 – Sep 30
Mon–FriClosed—
Park2025-2026 State Holidays: On the following days (actual or observed), staff will not be available and park buildings will be closed: Thanksgiving Day; Nov. 28, 2025; Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; New Year’s Eve; New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Lincoln’s Birthday; and Washington's Birthday.
Official wording

Park Grounds, April through October: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. November through March: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Summer Hours (on-season), April through September: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday Noon to 5 p.m., Sunday

October: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Saturday Noon to 5 p.m., Sunday Closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

Winter Hours (off-season), November through March: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday Noon to 4 p.m., Sunday Closed Monday through Friday

April: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday Closed Monday through Friday May through September: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday Closed Monday and Tuesday Oct. 1-31 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday Closed Monday through Wednesday November through March 15 (Off-Season) Nov 1. through March 15 Closed March 16-31 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday Closed Monday through Friday

2025-2026 State Holidays: On the following days (actual or observed), staff will not be available and park buildings will be closed: Thanksgiving Day; Nov. 28, 2025; Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; New Year’s Eve; New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Lincoln’s Birthday; and Washington's Birthday.

Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).

Fees and passes

Fees apply to camping, lodging and some tours (e.g. cave tours).

Statewide fee rule from Missouri's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.

Reservations

Day use
No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
Booking system
Missouri State Parks reservation system (UseDirect / Tyler, 'ICampMO')
Phone
877-422-6766 (877-ICampMO)

Check availability and book

We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.

Pets

Dogs allowed, with restrictions · leash up to 10 feet

Not allowed in or on: any building that is not part of the cabins for canines program.

We recommend no more than two dogs per campsite. Pets must be supervised and kept on leashes no longer than 10 feet at all times. Pet waste bags are available in most locations. Other than service animals, pets are not allowed inside any building that is not part of the Cabins for Canines program, or in public swimming areas or waters reserved for fishing.

Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.

Camping

Campground or site typeSitesHookups / featuresPrice
Lake Boutin Campground
Season: May 1-Oct 31
Reservations: May 1-Oct 31
—Showers—
Mississippi River Campground
Season: Year-round
Reservations: Year-round
—Electric, Sewer/Electric/WaterShowers—
Camping details from the park

Trail of Tears State Park offers basic, electric and sewer/electric/water campsites and a special-use camping area.

Printable campground maps are available for your reference by clicking the "Map" links.

Individual Campground Information

CampgroundAvailable DatesShowers/Water AvailableReservationsTypes of Sites

Lake Boutin Campground (Map)

May 1-Oct 31May 1-Oct 31May 1-Oct 31Basic

Mississippi River Campground (Map)

Year-roundApr 1-Oct 31Year-roundElectric, Sewer/Electric/Water

  • During the off-season (November through March), water is off for full hookup sites, and showerhouses are closed. Potable water is available from the frost-free spigot at the dump station.
  • The railroad near the Mississippi River Campground is still active.

Other Types of Camping Areas Available in the Park:

Special-use camping area

From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.

Things to do

HikingCampingFishingRanger and interpretive programsPicnickingHorseback ridingSwimmingBoating

Trails

TrailLengthDifficultyNotes
Lake Trail——Trail information: https://mostateparks.com/media/pdf/trail-details-lake-trail
Nature Trail——Trail information: https://mostateparks.com/media/pdf/trail-details-nature-trail
Peewah Trail——Trail information: https://mostateparks.com/media/pdf/trail-details-peewah-trail
Shepard Point Trail——Trail information: https://mostateparks.com/media/pdf/trail-details-shepard-point
Trail descriptions from the park

ATTENTION: There is no potable water along any of the trails at this park. Trail users must bring their own water or obtain water elsewhere in the park.

Lake TrailNature TrailPeewah TrailShepard Point Trail

  • Trail Map
  • Trail Information
  • Trail Map
  • Trail Information
  • Trail Map
  • Trail Information

Caution: There are steep drop-off along this trail. Adult supervision is suggested.

  • Trail Map
  • Trail Information

Fishing

Commonly caught fish: bass, bluegill, catfish

A state fishing license is usually required.

Amenities

Facilities

  • Picnic areas
  • Picnic shelters
  • Playground
  • Drinking water: not available (stated by the park)

Water

  • Swimming beach

Camping

  • Tent camping
  • Sewer hookups

Recreation

  • Horse trails

✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.

Accessibility

Visitor Center

A level, paved parking lot provides three accessible spaces with nearby access to a railed ramp leading to the building entrance. Just inside is an accessible water fountain and restrooms with front-transfer toilets and accessible lavatories. The staffed information desk offers books, postcards and mementos. Park and area information are within easy reach on a nearby brochure rack. The excellent museum offers freestanding and glassed-in exhibits, many interactive. A park video is available for all visitors to enjoy. Various interpretative programs are held from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with additional programs done by appointment. For those with special needs, please contact the office in advance and they’ll be happy to accommodate you.

Read more from the park

Amphitheater

The amphitheater is located just behind the visitor center with boardwalk seating for wheelchairs.

The Bushyhead Memorial

A level, paved accessible parking space is located adjacent to the concrete pathway that leads to the memorial. An interpretive panel and a shady sitting area are provided.

Picnic Areas

Greensferry Shelter

Paved parking has a slight slope. A concrete pathway leads to a vault toilet that has not been modified for accessibility. The shelter is approached over natural grass turf and provides a group grill and seating for 40 people. Several unmodified picnic sites are also in this area.

Wescoat Shelter

Located adjacent to the lower campground, this shelter provides a gravel parking space adjacent to a paved access aisle and pathway. The path, in one direction, leads past a water fountain to the shelter, which has two group grills, extended-end tables, electric service, lighting and accommodates 100 people. Going the other direction on the path takes you past the playground. The closest accessible restroom is the vault toilet in the Mississippi River campground.

Also connected to the pathway is an accessible picnic site, which has an extended-end table and a pedestal grill. Parking is located in a roadside lot, where one accessible space, with a slight slope, is available.

Hill Road Picnic Site

A gravel lot overlooks the Mississippi River. A concrete pad and accessible table with pedestal grill is available.

Scenic Overlook

The overlook provides a level, paved parking lot with RV parking and two accessible parking spaces. A railed pathway leads down to the overlook, which provides a view of the towering bluffs along the Mississippi River and a view across the river into Illinois. The overlook has four glass viewing panels for wheelchair access.

Campgrounds

Mississippi River Campground

  • This campground has one accessible electric site, which offers an extended-end table, pedestal grill, fire ring and lantern post. An accessible water hydrant and water fountain are conveniently located.
  • The showerhouse provides a paved pathway from the parking lot with one accessible space. Inside, you’ll find a roll-in push-button shower and an accessible lavatory for each gender. Electric hand dryers are also provided. A shower chair is available upon request.
  • The dump station is barrier-free; the fresh water hydrant has a pump-style handle.
  • An accessible vault toilet is located near the entrance of the campground, where you’ll also find a drive-up information board.

Lake Boutin Campground

  • No campsites or vault toilets have been modified in this area. The showerhouse is approached over a 6% sloped gravel path and provides front-transfer toilets, lowered mirrors and lavatories. The lavatory handles may be difficult for some users. The push-button showers contain a grab bar. A shower chair is available upon request.
  • The dump station is barrier-free; the fresh water hydrant has a round handle.

Boat Ramp

A boat ramp for the Mississippi River has level gravel parking and a concrete ramp with a 7% slope. No other amenities are provided. This is located near the Mississippi River Campground entrance.

Lake Boutin Area

Beach

There is a designated swimming area with a sand beach. The parking lot is paved and an accessible sidewalk provides access to the beach. An accessible water fountain and rinse station (with a push button) is located along the sidewalk. An accessible vault toilet with side transfer is in the parking lot.

Boat Ramp

Parking for the boat ramp is paved but steep, with a 6.2% average slope. The one-lane boat ramp is paved with an average slope of 8.9%.

Picnic Area

A shady picnic site overlooking the lake provides a parking space, a paved area, group and pedestal grills, an accessible table and a water fountain.

Special-Use Area

This is a mostly level hilltop with 1-inch gravel and provides fire rings, lantern posts, tables, benches and a vault toilet allowing side-transfers.

Trail of Tears State Park

429 Moccasin Springs

Jackson, MO 63755-8295

573-290-5268

1-800-334-6946

1-800-379-2419 TDD

Last updated: January 2017

Official accessibility information

Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.

Getting there

Address
429 Moccasin Springs
Jackson, MO 63755-8295
Nearest town
Jackson — about 11 mi northeast (straight line)
Coordinates
37.4575, -89.4821
Phone
(573) 290-5284

Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)

Nearby state parks

Sources and freshness

“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology

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