Port Royal Tours
  • Wooded trail with sunlight filtering through green trees.
    • Park ranger gesturing at an informational sign in a lush, sunlit park.

    Tours at Port Royal  

    Port Royal State Historic Park plays a significant role in both Tennessee and national history.

    Learn about Port Royal's role in state and national history with historical interpretive tours with a Park Ranger. Every weekend, the park hosts multiple tours for guests to learn about significant moments that occurred in the area. 

    • Trail lined with trees and a stone sign reading "Trail of Tears Historic Route."
    • Footbridge with railings surrounded by lush green trees under a blue sky.

    Follow Their Footsteps: Trail of Tears

    In 1838, the Federal government forcibly relocated Cherokees from their homeland. During that fall and winter, over 10,000 Cherokees passed through Port Royal on the northern route of the Trail of Tears. Join a Park Ranger to learn about Indian Removal and follow the Cherokees' footsteps through Port Royal. Port Royal is part of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. 

    Duration: 1 Hour 

    Cost: Free 

    Days of Week: Saturdays and Sundays 

    Times: 9:00 M, 2:00 PM 

    Capacity: 20 

    Only 20 guests are permitted per tour.  

    Sign Up For Tour

    Essential Eligibility Criteria

    • Download EEC
      Download EEC
    • Program participants should be able to do the following, independently or with the assistance of a companion or adaptive equipment:

      Travel On Gravel and Pavement 

      Travel over a gravel parking lot and paved pathway. Travel a distance of 500 yards on unpaved, flat ground during the duration of the tour.  

       

      Tolerate Weather 

      Tolerate exposure to natural elements, including sun or temperature for one to two hours.  

       

      Handle Human Rights Discussion 

      Be exposed to discussion themes including human rights violations such as genocide.  

    From Commerce to Collapse: Historic Townsite Tour

    After Tennessee statehood in 1796, Port Royal was one of the earliest towns established in Middle Tennessee. Port Royal quickly became regionally important due to the establishment of a tobacco inspection point and a flatboat yard. Throughout its history, it served an essential role in the development of Tennessee's commerce and politics. 

    This tour takes visitors on a journey through Port Royal's history and explains the town's role in events that impacted the state and nation. Port Royal, once a thriving river port for Tennessee's tobacco trade, was center stage to multiple events that shaped not only Tennessee's future, but also the nation's. From Tennessee's settlement and early western migration to Cherokee Removal and the Black Patch Tobacco War, the town and people of Port Royal witnessed the highs and lows of the development of the United States we know today. 

    Duration: 1 Hour 

    Cost: $10 for guests age 13 and older, Free for guests 12 and under 

    Days of Week: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 

    Times: 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM 

    Sign Up For Tour
    • Three people examining an outdoor information board, surrounded by trees.

    Essential Eligibility Criteria

    • Download EEC
      Download EEC
    • Program participants should be able to do the following, independently or with the assistance of a companion or adaptive equipment:

      Travel On Pavement 
      Travel over a paved surface for a distance of 150 yards over the course of an hour.  Cross a highway at a designated cross-walk.  

      Tolerate Weather 
      Tolerate exposure to natural elements, including sun or temperature for one (1) hour.  

      Handle Human Rights Discussion 
      Be exposed to discussion themes including human rights violations such as genocide.  

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