This panel is funded by Arkansas State Parks and a grant from The Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council.
Mount Nebo and the Trail of Tears
In the River Valley Below
With dramatic views of the river valley, Mount Nebo State Park is an ideal spot to view the Arkansas River where thousands of Native Americans passed during the forced removal from their native lands. This is one of only two locations along the Trail of Tears where all five of the civilized tribes passed.
Indians might have been seen on foot with their children and belongings on their backs, or being carried by boat up the Arkansas River. Dardanelle Rock, easily seen from the river in Dardanelle and lofty Mount Nebo itself, were most likely landmarks of importance to these people as they made their way west.
Carried by steamboats pulling flat-bottomed boats or keelboats, entire tribes from as far away as Georgia and Florida were transported up the Arkansas River to Fort Smith. They were then transferred to wagons, or walked the remainder of the trip into Indian Territory.
Trail of Tears Across Arkansas
Illustration by Courtney Trimble
Each night, as they traveled, these Native Americans would make camp along the river bank. Army officers and soldiers would dole out rations as they were made available. From where you stand, light and smoke from campfires could be seen as night after night new groups of removed people camped in the river valley on their way west.
