Trail of Tears State Park Trail Work Register

Date and Time:
Fri, Nov 14, 2025; 4:00 PM (Central) - Sun, Nov 16, 2025  3:00 PM  (Central)

Organized By: Missouri Chapter

Location: Trail of Tears State Park Visitor Center

Map | Directions

Event Organizers:
Lisa Dahlgren
   gentlespirit99@hotmail.com
   (636) 394-6210
Joshua White
   nojoshforyou@hotmail.com
   (816) 333-3333

The Trail of Tears State Park is a public recreation area covering 3,415 acres (1,382 ha) bordering the Mississippi River in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri. The park offers camping facilities, hiking trials, areas for swimming, fishing, boating and cooking. It is also a reminder and a memorial to those individuals (Cherokee Indian Groups) who underwent forced relocation and while doing so crossed the Mississippi at this spot. The park balances the memory and historical truths of that time in American history with current utilization of wild areas for recreation and nature-connection.

THE PROJECT: Our project is to create a little under one-half mile of new trail re-routing the existing trail which has deteriorated beyond repair.  Our work is considered to be STRENUOUS because it involves using hand tools that are heavy (such as a pulaski and/or hazel-hoe), will require repeated lifting and using those tools as well as removing large limbs and rocks.  Some of the work will be done on a significant incline.  The work commences about a third of a mile from the trailhead.  Because of the location of the work, access to bathrooms and vehicles is somewhat limited.  Hiking trails, overlooks, and historical monuments as well as a visitor center, are highlights of this park and available to participants outside of our working times.

HOUSING:  Participants will need their own sleeping system (tent/sleeping bag/sleeping pad).  If this is a difficulty for you, please work with the leaders to see if we can assist you in finding the gear needed. The park is reserving the group camping facility for those engaged in this project.  The group camping facility has vault toilets on site.  Showers and water are available within a quarter mile by trail or 2 minute drive by car.  The group camping area has benches and a large fire pit.  Spaces for tents are available relatively close to the fire pit, or walking distance from the fire pit off of a spur for those who desire additional privacy or sense of remote tenting.  Space is available for a limited number of small campers or sleeper-vans (please talk to one of the leaders if you plan to use one).  Hotels are available in Cape Girardaeu and Jackson.

FOOD: The Eastern Missouri Group of the Sierra Club is helping to fund meals, however, donations for food (suggested donation $10/day/person) is greatly appreciated from those who are able to do so.  Breakfast will be simple fare, and participants will make their own lunch from lunch offerings put out at the beginning of the day.  Exact details of the dinners will be provided in the following weeks. The last meal to be provided is lunch on Sunday.  Dietary preferences and needs will be accommodated as much as possible.

PARTICIPANTS: This is a State-wide service project through Sierra Club and is open to all groups of Sierra Club in Missouri.  Participants should look closely at the type of work involved to make sure they are comfortable with its strenuous nature.  Participants should be comfortable working in a somewhat remote location without typical amenities, have basic safety awareness for this type of work, be able to tolerate weather changes, insects including ticks, and have the type of flexibility needed for group work and group camping.  Adults only.  No pets, please.  Guns are prohibited at the park. LEAVE NO TRACE principles will be followed.

ARRIVAL: Please arrive at the Visitor Center located on the map, after 4pm the first day.  For participants arriving later than 9pm or not planning to attend the Friday dinner, please let the trip leaders know so they can make appropriate accommodations.




 

Level: Strenuous