Cape Girardeau County: Nature, History and Enjoyment

Cape Girardeau County combines impressive river landscapes, woodland trails, historic sites of remembrance and regional wine experiences. This provides a diverse range of options for planning your trip: You can focus on nature experiences with children, history along the Mississippi, excursions to historic structures or an enjoyable day at a winery. When searching for a vacation rental or holiday home, it helps to first determine your preferred travel style and then choose the accommodation as a base for your personal priorities.

Nature Between Forest, Lake and Mississippi

White Oak Trace runs for two miles through oak-hickory forest and floodplain forest. The landscape also includes sinkholes and a small man-made wetland. If you prefer a shorter paved route, the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center offers the 0.25-mile, paved and accessible Ridgetop Trail. The Nature Center is located in the northern part of Cape Girardeau County Park near Interstate 55 exit 99.

Lakes and larger natural areas also shape the selection. Lake Girardeau Conservation Area encompasses a 162-acre lake. The Peewah Trail leads through a 1,300-acre wild area and is used by hikers and horseback riders. This allows you to vary your days: with a short trail, a longer route through a wild area or an excursion into a landscape surrounding the lake. Lake Boutin is home to largemouth bass, sunfish, channel catfish and crappie.

Family Experiences and Shared Excursions

At the accessible Kids Fishing Pond, children under 16 may fish. Fishing rods and worms are provided free of charge. Levi’s Adventure Trail in Cape Girardeau County Park South is an ADA-accessible playground with climbing structures, water and sand areas, swings and a zip line. These two offerings emphasize different experiences: the pond provides a calm shared activity, while the playground combines various movement and play elements.

For a break in the outdoors, Cape County Parks provide six picnic shelters in North Park, four in South Park and two in Klaus Park. Such specific destinations can be just as helpful when planning a day with several generations as they are on a trip that intentionally alternates between activity and relaxation.

The Mississippi and Cherokee History

Trail of Tears State Park commemorates part of the forced removal of the Cherokee. Most Cherokee detachments passed through Cape Girardeau County. The park is a certified site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and is located directly on the Mississippi. From there, there are views of the river and beyond. Public interpretive programs are scheduled for the summer from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Bollinger Mill State Historic Site offers further historical insights. It explains how wheat and corn were ground into flour and meal in a four-story mill dating from the American Civil War era. The site includes Burfordville Covered Bridge, the oldest remaining covered bridge in Missouri. Construction began in 1858. The bridge is open only to pedestrian traffic; both historic structures are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Wine, Landscapes and Regional Discoveries

Apple Creek Vineyard & Winery is located 2.8 miles west of Interstate 55 at exit 117 near State Highway KK and Old Appleton in Cape Girardeau County. The winery is situated in the rural county and offers views of Apple Creek. Wine is served in the tasting room, on a wraparound terrace and along the creek; food from the Creek Bank Café is also available.

Hunter Valley Winery also combines beverages and scenery. Its offerings include Chambourcin and Chardonnay wines, Wine-a-Rita and beers from the microbrewery. Seating is available indoors and outdoors, as well as on a terrace overlooking a two-acre lake. An outdoor sculpture park, two gourmet baskets and the option to bring picnic baskets add to the experience. The Mississippi River Hills Wine Trail runs from central Perry County southward through the northern part of Cape Girardeau County.

Choose Accommodation According to Your Travel Style

If nature trails and family experiences are your focus, you can tailor your vacation rental search to these interests. For a trip focused on history, Trail of Tears State Park, Bollinger Mill State Historic Site and Burfordville Covered Bridge are the main attractions. Those who want to combine scenery and enjoyment can include the wineries and the Mississippi River Hills Wine Trail in their personal plans. Since 2020, the Research Annex of the Cape Girardeau County Historical Society has also made books, small manuscripts, genealogical resources and photo collections publicly accessible.

For further orientation, you can also visit the pages for Cape Girardeau and Altenburg. Other destinations in the same higher-level navigation area include Adair County, Saline County, Livingston, St Louis, Butler County and Barton County.

To the higher-level travel overview: Missouri.