Mantle Rock

Visit Mantle Rock in Kentucky.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Mantle Rock Rd, Smithland, KY 42081

Significance:

In this place, over 1,000 Cherokee from the Peter Hildebrand Detachment spent around two weeks waiting for the Ohio River to thaw and become passable.

Designation:

Nature Preserve

MANAGED BY:

Nature Conservancy

Retracing the Trail of Tears During that harsh winter, 11 detachments containing more than 10,000 Cherokee passed through the Mantle Rock area, not even halfway to Indian Territory. One of those groups, the Peter Hildebrand Detachment, was forced to spend two bitterly cold weeks in the Mantle Rock area, encamped for miles along the road. 

They were waiting for the frozen Ohio River to thaw enough for the ferry to carry people from Berry’s Ferry, Kentucky, to Golconda, Illinois. Once across the river, many became trapped again between the frozen Ohio and Mississippi rivers until they could continue traveling west to Indian Territory. These 11 detachments left Tennessee in 1838 with over 10,000 Cherokee, but due to exhaustion, illness and death, they numbered hundreds less when they arrived in Oklahoma.

The Cherokee walked the road that is now a hiking trail at Mantle Rock Preserve, halfway through an 800 mile journey, feeling the loss of homeland and unsure of what lay ahead. Over 10,000 men, women, and children traveled this road during the winter of 1838-1839. When visiting Mantle Rock Preserve, you can walk in their footsteps and think of their experience as you hike the trail. The trail is managed by the Nature Conservancy's Mantle Rock Preserve in Livingston County, Kentucky. The outdoor exhibits guide the retracement experience.

Site Information

Location (Mantle Rock Rd, Smithland, KY 42081)

Safety Considerations

More Site Information

Exhibits Available

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

Duration:

1 minute, 28 seconds

Mantle Rock Nature Preserve is a 367-acre natural area that invites visitors to explore rare and unique natural features of Kentucky and offers the meaningful experience of retracing a portion of the Trail of Tears northern route. A two- and three-quarter-mile loop trail follows a one-mile portion of the same historic road traveled Cherokee people during the forced Indian removal of 1838 and 1839. For more information: Go.nps.gov/mantlerock.

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