Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail

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large white house, green lawn, two trees in front
The museum tells the story of Major Ridge, the influential Ridge family including prominent son John Ridge, Cherokee history, and the Trail of Tears, as well as subsequent history of the home and region.
structure in the background with large chimney on the end; signs saying Brown's Ferry Tavern
Cherokee leader John Brown, who owned 640 acres in this area, ordered the construction of Browns Ferry Tavern in 1803. In 1838, the road running past this structure was the route by which several Cherokee detachments were removed to present-day Oklahoma.
sunlight coming through trees with green leaves
Thousands of Cherokee camped for weeks along the main (northern) route, near Mantle Rock, during the winter of 1838-39 as they waited for ice conditions in the Ohio River to allow a safe crossing.
dozens of people walk a section of the Trail of Tears, winter scene, trees with no leaves
The Pea Ridge National Military Park encompasses 4,300 acres and features a visitor center, museum, self-guided tours, reconstructed Elkhorn Tavern, and a retracement trail along a 2.5-mile original route segment of the Trail of Tears.
gravestone with words etched, green grass
When the Cherokee arrived at their prescribed disbandment depot in Oklahoma, settlements sprang up nearby. There was a depot at the Adair's farm near present-day Stilwell, Oklahoma.
Two people walk a remnant of the Trail of Tears. Spring setting with green leafed trees.
Crabb Abbott Farm has segments of the Northern Route, including the rock crossing and ford of Sugar Creek. These segments are contiguous with trail segments on the adjacent Shawnee National Forest.
Photos: National Park Service

About Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail

Remember and commemorate the survival of the Cherokee people, forcefully removed from their homelands in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee to live in Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. They traveled by foot, horse, wagon, or steamboat in 1838-1839.

Quick Facts

State Alabama
Designation National Historic Trail
State Code AL,AR,GA,IL,KY,MO,NC,OK,TN
Weather Due to the length of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, be sure to consult local weather sources for the region you'll be visiting. Check out the forecast with…

Location & Map

Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail is located in Alabama.

Operating Hours

OPERATING HOURS VARY FROM SITE TO SITE. There are many historic sites, museums, and parks (federal, state, and local) along the Trail of Tears in Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Illinois, Arkansas, Missouri, or Oklahoma for you to visit. Please contact individual sites for more information by going to Plan Your Visit and selecting Places To Go or Passport Program, where sites are listed by state, and there is an interactive map to search for sites.

Wednesday All Day
Monday All Day
Thursday All Day
Sunday All Day
Tuesday All Day
Friday All Day
Saturday All Day

Activities

Arts and Culture Craft Demonstrations Auto and ATV Scenic Driving Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Auto Junior Ranger Program Museum Exhibits

Getting There

You can visit many of the sites along the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail over the 2,200+ mile route that crosses 9 states.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address National Trails Office Regions 6, 7, & 8, Santa Fe, NM, 87505
Phone N/A
Email ntir_information@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

Architecture and Building Archeology Arts Photography Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite Farming and Agriculture Plantations Forts Native American Heritage Schools and Education Transportation Roads, Routes and Highways Trains and Railroads Tragic Events Forced Marches Wars and Conflicts Tribal Conflicts Trails

Things To Do

Become a Trail of Tears Junior Ranger

Become a Trail of Tears Junior Ranger

Learn about the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and earn your junior ranger badge! This activity can be completed…

Junior Ranger activity can be completed virtually at home, or after visiting a site along the trail. Booklets can be…

Hike on the Trail of Tears

Hike on the Trail of Tears

The trail commemorates the forced removal of Cherokee from their homelands; the paths that 17 Cherokee detachments followed westward; and…

 Experiences vary, so please check with individual locations for more details.

Discovering the Trail of Tears on the Natchez Trace

Discovering the Trail of Tears on the Natchez Trace

The Trail of Tears began in May 1838 when Federal troops and state militias began to round up the Cherokee…

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