Trail Of Tears Campground

The Great Outdoors

When you’re RV camping at Trail of Tears Campground, you’ll be right on the doorstep of Trail of Tears State Park. Just step outside your Jackson RV rental, and you can discover the vibrant forest using the park's network of trails. The three-mile Sheppard Point Trail is a popular route for hikers all year round while the nine-mile Peewah Trail is a good choice for mountain biking or horseback riding. While you’re exploring the park, you’re likely to spot white-tailed deer and rabbits, but the park is also home to coyote, bobcats, and feral hog. Trail of Tears State Park is also a prime location for birdwatching. Listed as a Great River Birding Trail by the National Audubon Society, the park’s lakeside, riverbanks, and treetops attract a range of species, including bald eagles, American white pelicans, and warblers.Before returning to your camper rental, you can drop by the Trail of Tears State Park Visitor Center. Here you can learn about the natural history of the region or watch an educational documentary about the Cherokee tribes who were forced to abandon these lands.On the opposite side of the Mississippi River, you can continue to discover the former Cherokee lands in the Trail of Tears State Forest. Spread across the Ozark Hills in southern Illinois, Trail of Tears State Forest is a conservation area that covers over 5,000 acres. The forest boasts trails ranging from less than a mile to 12 miles in length, which are suitable for hikers of a range of abilities. There’s also a popular route for cross-country running and routes for mountain biking and horseback riding. For something more relaxing, you can take your family for lunch alfresco at one of the forest's designated picnicking areas. Trail of Tears State Forest is also a hotspot for photography thanks to the abundance of colorful wildflowers, fern species, and wildlife.Back in Missouri, another place to visit is Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center. Although small, the area is home to many geological features. You can walk the rolling hillsides on two miles of nature trails, identify flora and fauna, or take the kids to see the freshwater aquariums. There’s also an exhibition of Native American artifacts and interactive nature displays. Plus, this nature center is just a short drive away when you rent a camper near Trail of Tears Campground.

Explore the Area

Aside from state parks and recreational activities, you’ll also have lots of sights to see when you book an RV in Cape Girardeau County. The area is speckled with historical and cultural attractions as well as charming towns for shopping or tasting the local cuisine.You can start with a visit to the Cape River Heritage Museum on the outskirts of Cape Girardeau. The museum is housed inside the former police and fire station. The exhibitions host a range of items that tell the city's stories. There are documents, photographs, and firefighting equipment on display. You can also see miniature models of the ships that traversed the Mississippi River throughout the years.Another attraction for families as well as history lovers is the Fort D Historic Site, one of the forts to be built around Cape Girardeau in 1861. The forts were occupied by soldiers and defended the city throughout the Civil War. Nowadays, it’s open to the public, and visitors can watch cannon displays, stroll along the stone walls, or enjoy the grounds. If you camp in an RV near Cape Girardeau during the 4th of July, Memorial Day, or Labor Day, you can see re-enactments of historical events at Fort D.Back in the city center, Cape Girardeau is brimming with independently-owned stores, from clothing boutiques to antique stores and souvenir shops. Throughout the summer season, there are even two lively farmers markets where you can stock up on fresh vegetables and other local produce. On Saturday mornings from May to October, the Cape Riverfront Market is held in the city’s downtown area while the Cape Farmers Market, held near West Park Mall, is open Thursday afternoons from April to November.If shopping’s not your thing, these charming streets also provide a range of excellent eateries, trendy coffee shops, and classic American grills. There’s an aquatic center, adventure play areas, and mini-golf, which should appeal to families of all ages. Traveling without kids? You can spend an hour or two at one of Cape Girardeau’s spas before tasting local beverages at the city’s wineries.There’s something for everyone when you have an RV rental near Trail of Tears Campground in Missouri.