Following the Trail of Tears Across the United States
The Trail of Tears marks one of the most significant and difficult chapters in American history.
Between 1838 and 1839, thousands of Cherokee were forced from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States and moved west to present-day Oklahoma. We need to reflect that these people who were forced from their ancestral land had houses, farms, and businesses that they were forced to leave behind. All of them had to buy or trade for all of their needs while on the pathways leading west.
Today, this journey is remembered through the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, which spans multiple states and follows several different routes.
This page brings together the maps, routes, and stops we’ve explored to help you follow this historic path. As you read down the page, we have laid it out in the order of how the Cherokee moved from their ancestral land west using the northern route. We have driven over 478 miles of this route so far. We will add more as our travels allow us to visit more of the routes.
Main Trail of Tears Routes
There was not just one route—there were several.
Some of the primary routes include:
- Northern Route (through Tennessee → Illinois → Missouri)
- Water Routes (using rivers like the Tennessee, Ohio, and Mississippi)
- Southern Routes (through Alabama and Arkansas)
Each route tells part of the story and passes through different landscapes and historic locations.
Tennessee
The Northern Route that the Cherokee had to travel through Tennessee is about 230 miles. When we traveled the Trail of Tears through Tennessee, we give you some of our thoughts.
Tennessee includes some of the earliest and most important sites along the trail.
- Red Clay State Historic Park – Native American Heritage and the Trail of Tears
- Cherokee Removal Memorial Park in Tennessee – A Trail of Tears Site at Blythe Ferry
- On the Trail in Dayton, Tennessee – Historic Downtown & Trail of Tears at Blythe Ferry
- On the Trail in McMinnville, Tennessee – A Preserved Historic Downtown Along the Trail of Tears Route
Kentucky
The Northern Route that the Cherokee had to travel through Kentucky is about 98 miles. When we traveled the Trail of Tears through Kentucky, we give you some of our thoughts.
Kentucky represents part of the northern route as groups moved west.
- Following the Trail of Tears Through Kentucky – Ferry Crossings, Mantle Rock, and Historic Stops
- Mantle Rock Nature Preserve – Hiking a Historic Trail of Tears Site in Western Kentucky
- Berry’s Ferry and John Berry Homesite – Trail of Tears Crossing on the Ohio River
Illinois
The Northern Route that the Cherokee had to travel through Illinois is about 53 miles. Illinois represents part of the northern route as groups moved west, while on of the shortest trails through a state it was one of the hardest for the Cherokee because of weather and death.
- Exploring Dixon Springs State Park in Shawnee National Forest Along the Trail of Tears
- Campground Church in Southern Illinois – A Trail of Tears Encampment Site
- Lincoln Memorial Picnic Grounds in Illinois – A Historic Stop Along the Trail of Tears
- Trail of Tears State Forest in Southern Illinois – Waiting on the Mississippi River
- Anna–Jonesboro Historical Marker – Trail of Tears Stop in Southern Illinois
Missouri
Missouri contains key crossings and travel routes as the journey continued west.
What You’ll Experience Along the Trail
Traveling the Trail of Tears today is very different from what it was in the 1800s—but many locations still help tell the story.
You’ll find:
- Historic markers and memorial parks
- River crossings and ferry sites
- Museums and interpretive centers
- Scenic landscapes that remain largely unchanged
Each stop adds a deeper understanding of the journey.
Planning Your Trail of Tears Road Trip
If you’re planning to follow part of the trail:
- Allow extra time at major historic sites
- Many locations are rural with limited services
- Some roads may be gravel or lightly maintained
- Combine stops into regional trips (by state)
Why This Journey Matters
The Trail of Tears is more than a travel route—it’s a reminder of the lives affected and the history that shaped this country.
Visiting these locations helps keep those stories alive.
Check out our main On the Trail pages
