Her two children traveled on and made it to Indian Territory. The Bushyhead Memorial in the park is a tribute to her and all the other Cherokee who died on the trail. Trail of Tears State Park is a certified site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. The park s visitor center features exhibits that interpret the forced relocation, as well as the park s many natural features. The 3,415-acre park preserves the native woodlands much as they appeared to the Cherokee.
Mature forests cover much of the park, which is characterized by sharp ridges and steep ravines.
Located directly on the Mississippi River, visitors can view the plentiful wildlife, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, hawks and foxes. The large trees on the bluffs and cliffs along the river are noted as winter roosting sites for bald eagles. The Indian Creek Wild Area features hardwood forests of white oak, black oak, tulip poplar and hickory. Floodplain forests along Indian Creek contain large sweet gums and willows, while junglelike areas thick with wild grapevines abound in the lowlands. Nearby, limestone bluffs tower more than 60 feet above the river.