Retracement Experiences

There are many ways to retrace the Trail of Tears. Check out more information on how to plan your own trail experience.

Some individuals and groups have retraced the entire trail or one of the routes of the trail. Their experiences are reflected in the stories below:

Note: These links are not from the National Park Service unless otherwise noted. Inclusion of a link for these experiences is not a recommendation of any activity or service; they only show the varied ways in which individuals retrace the trail.

By car

• Retracing the Trail of Tears: A legacy of Native American culture and way of life (article)
• Hamilton County, Tennessee (National Park Service and Trail of Tears Association)
• City of Chattanooga, Tennessee (National Park Service and Trail of Tears Association)

By foot

• Recreation.gov (article)
• Missouri hiking and biking trail (article)
• Comanche wrapping up Trail of Tears hike (article)
• Native American retracing steps on the Trail of Tears (article)
• Walking the Trail: One Man's Journey along the Cherokee Trail of Tears (book)

By Bicycle

• Remember the Removal (article about Cherokee youth ride)
• Remember the Removal, 175 years (article about Cherokee youth ride)

By Water

• Kayaker Discusses Trail of Tears Water Route Today (blog)
• Paddling the Trail (article)

By Horse

• Kentucky Teen Travels Trail of Tears on Horseback (article)

By Motorcycle

• Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride (event)

By Covered Wagon

• Cherokee Descendants Retrace Trail of Tears by Covered Wagon (article)