Trail of Tears State Park

There are two parts to this park -- and both have RV spots, but we chose the Mississippi Campground Loop because its right on the river. It also happens to be right on a railroad track, but honestly, it didn't bother us -- there were a handful of trains during the day, but they stopped at night when we were there. The park is really well kept and there's a lot to do.

It's been a number of years, but remember it as a good place to stop. Semi primitive, remote, just what the doctor ordered by our way of thinking. Plenty of trees, mostly local visitors to give it flavor and of course a RR tracks to make one feel like a "travel'n person"

We camped here in October, 2014 in a 35 foot fifth wheel. The rate shown is for a riverfront site with full hookups.

Our site was a full hookup back in site with a paved pad, picnic table, fire ring and lantern hook. Behind our site was a grassy area between us and the Mississippi River. We enjoyed watching barges going up and down the river and the trains which passed by on the tracks along the river. We love hearing the trains so the noise was not a problem for us.

The state park is a certified site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and commemorates the tragic relocation of five Native American tribes from the southeastern United States to Oklahoma. The visitor’s center in the park features exhibits that interpret the forced relocation.

About 15 miles south of the park is Cape Giradeau with restaurants, stores, and a historic downtown district including the mural on the floodwall along Water Street.

Nice park, located on the banks of the Mississippi...Only about 20 or so sites at the riverfront location. Those nearest the tracks have sewer hook ups. There is a dump station. It's a long drive back to the river from the entrance. Make sure they have a site. We were there the last week of March. It was full the first weekend of April. Trains are no big deal. I only heard one after 10pm.

Beautiful wooded camp ground with no one there except for the hosts. Chose end campground near reservoir. Woman at nearby gas station said not to go in the water as she caught a skin bacteria a few months ago. My dog went in and hasnt had any problems. The hosts were sweet. Lots of coyotes circling at night. Could hear cars every now and again from the local road. A one night tent stay for us. We tried to have a fire but the flies were attacking. Showers and laundry were not open due to water issues. On drive out of campground, we flicked a tick out of the car, took one off Jeff's neck and one off Jackson's ear.

Reserved and camped in Site 9, with full hookups. Arrival was easy, though the sites are numbered a bit confusingly. We started backing into site #8 by mistake until the host gave a an encouraging shout, causing us to pull forward and then back into the correct site.

Be sure to read up on the sad history of this location and how it plays into the Cherokee Trail of Tears, as our government drove them mercilessly from their homelands and into the wastelands of Oklahoma.

This time of year (late September) it is quiet and peaceful here, with only a few other campers and plenty of empty space between. The full hookup sites are pretty close together, though electric & water sites seem to be more generously spaced. Fortunately, we had an empty space between us and the host, and then on the other side the remaining full hookup sites were empty. Campsites were clean and well laid out, with good picnic tables, fire rings, and a big pole with a hook on the end - maybe that's for lanterns?

From the rear window in our Airstream we had a spectacular view of the river and were able to watch traffic move up and downriver. The occasional train is quite noisy, especially as it approaches the rail crossing near the campground. The crossing gives boaters access to a ramp so they can launch their boats into the river. So, lots of horn honking is required of the trains as they rumble past the campground, and their engineers joyfully comply. The number of trains per day during our visit was quite reasonable and did not really put a crimp in our vacation.

Oh, and there's a separate campground up on the hill, above a small lake. The website warns vigorously of a steep road up to that campground. So, we drove up later and checked it out. The road did not seem particularly steep, but we did notice that campsites up there are really only appropriate for tents, truck campers, and B-Vans and other small RVs. If you've a trailer longer than 23-25 feet, you probably won't want to camp up there.

There's a pit toilet within the campground, and then all the way down at the picnic area (quite a walk), there's a shower house with flush toilets. The pit toilet looked pretty clean and didn't knock me over with the smell, so that's a good thing. The shower house has definitely seen better days (wear and tear) and could be much better maintained. It's clean enough, but smells of mold and there's rust in the shower area. Oh, and they seem to be suffering a TP shortage in the shower house. Not the greatest bathroom experience, though I have certainly seen worse.

Cell phone signals for Verizon and AT&T were just fine. We streamed a Netflix movie while camping here. Checkout time is 2PM!

Stayed in Mississippi River campground. Clean,quiet campers but close to train tracks. Close to river and great to watch the barges go by. Host helpful and nice. Some sites have sewer. We had only electric. Great trails in park. Sad the visitor center closed Nov 2

The camp sights are within 50 feet of the tracks. They come through multiple times. If you aren’t used to that kind of noise, choose somewhere else.

Traveled to Jackson, Missouri and stayed at Trails of Tears Park. Underwhelmed with the campground but we did have electric, showers, level pad, grill and fire pit. We were in #1 site with no shade and no water and that seems to be the norm as we move further north. Easy pull thru dump station and fill-up for potable water. Right behind us was the Mississippi River but between us and the river is a train track (with approx. 35 routes/day). We went to the overlook point and swimming area but I’m not swimming in water that has to post bacterial counts daily! Nightly rounds by lawforcement. Campground was empty till the weekend, then it filled up with local folks.
Did I mention, we had a train track behind us that came by with full horns at MN, 2am and 4 am!! 🤣 #neverenoughsunsets #nationalparkchallenge

Near I-55, small cg with large campsite with FHU despite the season, but unheated vault toilet. Site 10 is at the north end of the CG with a great view of the Mississippi River 100" feet away and shade in season. Barges were possessing nite and day. We were here 12.4.21 and shared the whole campground with one other tent camper. Trail of Tears apparently crossed the river near here, but little was made of the event or conditions.