Cape Girardeau County: Nature, History and Wine

In Cape Girardeau County, trails through forest and floodplain ecosystems sit alongside historic sites, river views and wineries. When planning a trip, you can prioritize according to your interests: scenery and outdoor activities, the history of the Trail of Tears, historic buildings or wine offerings.

Nature, Trails and Water

The Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center is 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 floodplain forest ecosystems, karst sinkholes and a small man-made wetland. The Ridgetop Trail at the nature center is 0.25 miles long, paved and accessible. The trails highlight different features: White Oak Trace showcases the variety of the landscape, while the Ridgetop Trail is short and has a paved surface.

At the also-accessible Kids Fishing Pond, children under 16 can fish; fishing rods and worms are provided free of charge. Check what is currently provided before your trip. Levi’s Adventure Trail is an ADA-accessible playground in Cape Girardeau County Park South. Its features include climbing structures, water and sand areas, swings and a zip line. The two offerings have different focuses: fishing at the pond and play opportunities in the park.

Lakes and rivers also feature among the natural destinations described here. Trail of Tears State Park sits directly on the Mississippi River and offers views of the river and beyond. The Lake Girardeau Conservation Area in Cape Girardeau County includes a 162-acre lake. Lake Boutin is stocked with largemouth bass, sunfish, channel catfish and crappie.

History and Memorial Sites

Trail of Tears State Park commemorates part of the forced relocation of the Cherokee. Most Cherokee detachments passed through Cape Girardeau County; the state park is a certified site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. The park’s historical significance is connected both to the memory of the relocation and to the wider historic route.

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 historic site also includes Burfordville Covered Bridge. Construction began in 1858; it is the oldest surviving covered bridge in Missouri. The bridge is open to pedestrian traffic only. Check its current status before visiting, as conditions may change. Both historic structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Another way to explore history is the Research Annex of the Cape Girardeau County Historical Society in the town of Cape Girardeau. Since 2020, it has made books, small manuscripts, genealogical resources and photo collections publicly accessible. If you would like to combine a visit with archival or genealogical interests, check the current access arrangements in advance.

Wineries and Practical Information

Apple Creek Vineyard & Winery is in rural Cape Girardeau County and offers views of Apple Creek. The location is 2.8 miles west of Interstate 55 at Exit 117, near State Highway KK and Old Appleton; check directions before you drive. Wine is served in the tasting room, on a wraparound terrace and by the creek. Food is available from the Creek Bank Café. Visitor offerings may change, so check before your visit.

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. Visitor offerings may change here too; confirm them before your trip. The Mississippi River Hills Wine Trail covers a wider region: it runs south from central Perry County through the northern part of Cape Girardeau County.

For practical orientation in the Cape County Parks, the picnic shelters are distributed as follows: North Park has six, South Park has four and Klaus Park has two. These figures help you distinguish the parks by a practical feature.

Explore more destinations: Cape Girardeau, Altenburg, Boone, Cedar, Jackson, Cass County, Moniteau County, Gasconade County.

For the broader travel overview: Missouri.