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National Historic Trail · 9 states

Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail

National Historic Trail in 9 states. No entrance fee. 1 hikes listed.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypeNational Historic Trail
StateAlabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee
Entrance feeNo entrance fee
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkGateway Arch (180 mi)
Closest airportMKL (53 mi)
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. Photo: NPS

Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail is a national historic trail run by the National Park Service in 9 states.

In the park service’s words

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

  • 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 virtually or after visiting a site along the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. Booklets can be submitted either electronically or by mail. Take a look and start exploring the trail today!
  • 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 the revival of the Cherokee Nation. We encourage you to retrace the trail on foot, to sacred sites that tell the story of suffering and intolerance, but just as important, one of sur
  • Discovering the Trail of Tears on the Natchez Trace (0 to 3 Hours): The Trail of Tears began in May 1838 when Federal troops and state militias began to round up the Cherokee into stockades. In spite of warnings to troops to treat the Cherokee kindly, the round up proved harrowing. Families were separated and people were given only moments to collect cherished possessions. White looter

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Open 24 hours, every day. 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.

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.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport (MKL) Jackson, TN No road route 53 Regional
Jonesboro Municipal Airport (JBR) Jonesboro, AR No road route 56 Regional
Frederick W. Smith International Airport (MEM) Memphis, TN No road route 72 Large hub

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

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 the National Weather Service and search for the area you'd like to visit: www.weather.gov

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Gateway Arch, about 180 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail?

No entrance fee.

Where is Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail?

In Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee. The closest airport with scheduled flights is McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport, about 53 miles away.

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