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.
Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail
National Historic Trail · AL, AR, GA, IL, KY, MO, NC, OK, TN
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.
Park report
Current Alerts
How this is rated
Good: no active alerts or closuresNo active alerts
Entrance Fee
How this is rated
Good: free entryFree — no entrance fee
Activities Available
How this is rated
Good: many activities available8 activities
Park Name
InfoTrail Of Tears National Historic Trail
Designation
InfoNational Historic Trail
State(s)
InfoAL, AR, GA, IL, KY, MO, NC, OK, TN
Phone
InfoN/A
ntir_information@nps.gov
Operating Hours
InfoOPERATING 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.
Campgrounds
InfoNo campgrounds listed
Activity: Arts and Culture
InfoAvailable
Activity: Craft Demonstrations
InfoAvailable
Activity: Auto and ATV
InfoAvailable
Activity: Scenic Driving
InfoAvailable
Activity: Guided Tours
InfoAvailable
Activity: Self-Guided Tours - Auto
InfoAvailable
Activity: Junior Ranger Program
InfoAvailable
Activity: Museum Exhibits
InfoAvailable
Theme: Architecture and Building
InfoFeatured at this park
Theme: Archeology
InfoFeatured at this park
Theme: Arts
InfoFeatured at this park
Theme: Photography
InfoFeatured at this park
Theme: Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite
InfoFeatured at this park
Theme: Farming and Agriculture
InfoFeatured at this park
Theme: Plantations
InfoFeatured at this park
Theme: Forts
InfoFeatured at this park
Weather Info
InfoDue 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 an
Getting There
InfoYou can visit many of the sites along the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail over the 2,200+ mile route that crosses 9 states.
GPS Coordinates
Info36.0530° N, -89.6761° W
Data from official federal recreation records. Updated periodically. Park conditions change — always verify with the park before visiting. Verify on official park website