A Mississippi River Remembrance
Trail of Tears State Park brings together river scenery and a difficult history: it commemorates part of the forced relocation of the Cherokee. Most Cherokee groups passed through Cape Girardeau County. The park sits directly on the Mississippi River and offers views of the river and beyond. It is certified as a site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. Here, a tangible historical remembrance stands alongside views of the great river.
Lake Boutin also offers a specific natural feature: it is stocked with largemouth bass, sunfish, channel catfish, and crappie. If you’re interested in fish species, this gives you a precise guide to the fish found there.
Woodland Trails and Nature Experiences
The Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center is located in the northern part of Cape Girardeau County Park, near Interstate 55 exit 99. White Oak Trace offers two miles of trails through oak-hickory and bottomland forest ecosystems. Sinkholes and a small man-made wetland add to the landscape. The Ridgetop Trail is also located at the Nature Center: this paved, accessible trail is 0.25 miles long. The different trail lengths offer a concrete point of comparison for planning your day, without combining the trails into a single route.
The Peewah Trail offers another way to explore the area. It passes through a 1,300-acre wilderness area and is used by hikers and horseback riders. The Lake Girardeau Conservation Area includes a 162-acre lake. Together, these places showcase different landscapes in the county—from woodland and bottomland ecosystems to open water.
Picnic shelters in Cape County Parks are spread across three locations: North Park has six, South Park four, and Klaus Park two. Cape Girardeau County Park South is also home to Levi’s Adventure Trail, an ADA-accessible playground with climbing structures, water and sand areas, swings, and a zip line. Younger visitors can enjoy another specific activity at the accessible Kids Fishing Pond: children under 16 can fish there, with fishing poles and worms provided free of charge. Check the current arrangements at the pond before visiting.
Historic Sites and Research
At Bollinger Mill State Historic Site, visitors learn how wheat and corn were ground into flour and meal in a four-story mill dating from the American Civil War era. The site also includes Burfordville Covered Bridge, the oldest surviving covered bridge in Missouri; construction began in 1858. The bridge is open to pedestrians only. Both structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As the condition of the bridge can change, check local conditions before visiting.
Cape Girardeau also offers a place to explore cultural and family history: the Research Annex of the Cape Girardeau County Historical Society opened in 2020, making books, small manuscripts, genealogical resources, and photo collections available to the public. If you’re planning a visit, check the current access arrangements.
Wineries and Regional Routes
Apple Creek Vineyard & Winery is in rural Cape Girardeau County and offers views of Apple Creek. The winery is located 2.8 miles west of Interstate 55 at exit 117, near State Highway KK and Old Appleton. Wine is served in the tasting room, on a wraparound terrace, and along the creek’s edge; food from the Creek Bank Café is also available. As directions and visitor offerings can change, check both before your trip.
Hunter Valley Winery offers Chambourcin and Chardonnay, Wine-a-Rita, and beers from its microbrewery. There is indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a terrace overlooking a two-acre lake. Other features include an outdoor sculpture park, two gourmet baskets, and the option to bring picnic baskets. Here, too, it’s worth checking current visitor offerings before your visit.
The Mississippi River Hills Wine Trail provides a broader regional perspective. It runs south from the center of Perry County through the northern part of Cape Girardeau County. You can explore the region through its wine culture, while river views, trails, and historic sites each offer their own focus for your trip.
Discover more destinations: Cape Girardeau, Altenburg, Platte, Livingston, Nodaway County, Pulaski, Ste. Genevieve County, Linn County.
Return to the main travel guide: Missouri.
