Pea Ridge National Military Park, the Trail of Tears

Visit Pea Ridge National Military Park.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

15930 National Park Drive, Garfield, AR 72732

Significance:

Pea Ridge National Military Park hosts segments of historic roads used by the Cherokee and a large field which was the location of a large campsite on the Trail of Tears.

Designation:

National Military Park

Records show that 10,370 Cherokee traveled on the Trail of Tears through what became Pea Ridge National Military Park. The B.B. Cannon contingent, consisting of Cherokee who had agreed to be removed with government assistance in 1837, was one of the few contingents that kept a journal of their experiences which includes rare yet limited information about enslaved people moving west with the Cherokee in 1837. The following year, the journal of a preacher traveling with the Cherokee here expresses the challenges of finishing the journey and apprehension about arrival in their new land in 1838 and 1839.

The Visitor Center and staff can help you plan your visit at the park. The Trail of Tears stop has an exhibit and directional sign that shows you where the trail passes and how far you are from it’s stop to end. 

Elkhorn Tavern is located on the old Springfield to Fayetteville Road There is an exhibit about the Trail of Tears and visitors can enter the reconstructed tavern. From there, visitors can walk a short distance of the trail if they continue north on the mowed path through new growth forest. 

Reddick’s Field is located at the next stop on the park road and tour. The Cherokee camped nearby at Reddick’s farm in a large field area with springs. The field has been maintained and you can imagine hundreds of Cherokee camped in this area during the Trail of Tears. The historic road they walked can also be hiked at Little Sugar Creek Trenches.

Site Information

 

Location (15930 National Park Drive, Garfield, AR 72732)

Amenities
The park has a Visitor Center and guided and self- guided battlefield tours, which includes the locations of Trail of Tears sites within the park.  The Elk Horn Tavern area has been improved with additional parking and restroom facilities. There is a Junior Ranger program for both Pea Ridge (available at the park) and the Trail of Tears NHT (access online).

Safety Considerations

More Information about the Trail of Tears at Pea Ridge National Military Park

Pea Ridge National Miliarty Park

Pea Ridge National Military Park commemorates an 1862 Civil War battle but tells other stories as well including being on the route of the Butterfield Overland Mail. Some Cherokee returned to the site twenty-five years later to fight in the Battle of Pea Ridge. 

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

Trail of Tears: Northwest Arkansas Itinerary

This site is on the Old Wire Road Itinerary which helps the public explore Trail of Tears sites in northwest Arkansas. Each site features one aspect or story about the Cherokee experience traveling the Trail of Tears in this area as they approach the end of their journey and arrive in Indian Territory (today’s Oklahoma).