Cherokee Trail of Tears State Park

PARK WEATHER

Main Entrance

(opens in new tab) 6800 Blythe Ferry Lane
Birchwood, TN 37308

423-339-2769

Geolocation

35° 24' 21" N , 85° 0' 25" W

Phone Reservations

1-888-867-2757

Cherokee Trail of Tears State Park builds on an existing place of reflection, learning, and connection, where visitors gather to honor those who suffered and those who persevered along what has become known as the “Trail of Tears.” Located in Meigs County at the confluence of the Hiwassee and Tennessee Rivers near the historic Blythe Ferry crossing, the park represents a site of deep cultural and historical significance.

Learn More About the Park

Explore the Park

Accessibility

The Museum and Visitor Center

The Museum, Visitor Center, and Gift Shop at Cherokee Trail of Tears State Park offer a number of wheelchair-accessible ways to experience the park. Guests will be able to view all of the outdoor interpretive signage, the memorial of names, and the inside of the building.

More Accessibility Information
The Hiwassee Overlook:

The Hiwassee Overlook offers accessible parking and an accessible ramp to the main area of the overlook. From the overlook, visitors will be able to view Hiwassee Island and the convergence of the Hiwassee and Tennessee Rivers.

The Park and the National Historic Trail

Cherokee Trail of Tears State Park is part of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, preserving and sharing the history of forced removal, its human cost, its lasting impacts, and the resilience of the Indigenous communities connected to it.

The park serves as a place of remembrance and reflection, including as a stop on the annual Remember the Removal Bike Ride, where Cherokee riders honor their Ancestors and reconnect with their history.

Preserving the History and the Landscape

Located at the confluence of the Tennessee and Hiwassee Rivers, the park sits at Blythe Ferry near Hiwassee Island, and overlooks a landscape that supported travel, trade, and community life for generations.

With its proximity to the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge, the park is a haven for migratory birds, most famously the Sandhill Cranes and waterfowl.

Inspiration

Seven Disc Golf Courses to Visit in the Parks

The sport of disc golf is alive and growing in Tennessee, especially within our Tennessee State Parks! Players of all ages and walks of life can immerse themselves in the natural beauty of our parks while tossing discs at a basket, whether it be for recreation or for competition. Read below for some of our must-play disc golf courses!

Seven Disc Golf Courses to Visit in the Parks - Read Article
Waterfalls in Middle Tennessee: What to See and Where to Stay

Tennessee’s most scenic waterfalls are found in state parks. Use this guide to plan your visit and discover where to stay near eight popular falls.

Waterfalls in Middle Tennessee: What to See and Where to Stay - Read Article