Accessibility at Cherokee Trail of Tears
  • Drone Photo of Hiwassee Island, seen from Cherokee Trail of Tears State Park

    • Cherokee Trail of Tears Accessibility

    At Tennessee State Parks, we serve a variety of visitors including individuals with physical disabilities and those who may face other barriers to outdoor recreation. With a focus on accessibility, we continually strive to enhance our parks to better accommodate all visitors. Learn more about accessible features, amenities, programs, and services offered.

    Hiwassee Island Overlook

    View the historic Hiwassee Island from our covered wheelchair-friendly overlook.

    The overlook is accessed by a long boardwalk through the woods. At the end, a large, covered deck serves as a quiet place of reflection over the Tennessee River. 

    Wheelchair-friendly parking is available at the trailhead, with paved access to the boardwalk. 

    • View of a river and small tree‑covered island framed by autumn foliage from a wooden overlook.
    • Wooden boardwalk winding through a forest with autumn leaves and dense trees.
    • Open wooden pavilion with a green metal roof covering wheelchair-accessible parking set in a sunny, fall landscape.

    Visitor Center and Museum

    Reflect and observe the park through a historical lens in and outside the Visitor Center.

    Monuments and interpretive signage detail the removal of the Cherokee people from their ancestral homelands in the Southeastern United States, also known as the "Trail of Tears." The memorial space is wheelchair-accessible; however, one area, beside the memorial wall, depicting removal routes, is not wheelchair-accessible and is viewable from above. 

    Travel inside the visitor center to view artifacts and recreated items relevant to the park's history. A gift shop, restrooms, and wheelchair-friendly parking are available. 

    Questions? Need Accomodations?

    If you have any questions, comments, or require special accommodations or assistance with interpretive services and events for someone in your party, we're here to help.

    To fulfill reasonable requests for assistance, we kindly ask that you reach out to the Park Office at least 10 days before your visit. This will enable us to make the necessary arrangements to provide you with an enjoyable park experience. Provide us with details about your needs so we can be well-prepared.  

    • The memorial wall interpretive panels at Cherokee Trail of Tears State Park