Life

The Great Outdoors in Cape Girardeau

August 17, 2020

This article is presented in partnership with Visit Cape. After spending months under quarantine, it’s time to get out. Spending the summer outside exploring is a great way to get active while practicing six feet of social distancing. Look no further for your outdoor excursion than Cape Girardeau. With trails for all skill levels, historical state parks, and attractive flower gardens, this city has enough to keep you busy all summer. The nature trails in and around Cape Girardeau range from mild paved trails to serious hiking expeditions. Cape La Croix Recreational Trail is a 5.67-mile paved trail that serves walkers, joggers, runners, bikers, and rollerbladers. It’s also pet friendly, which makes it fun for the whole family. Klaus Park Trail is a 3.2-mile trail that provides a more serious expedition including hills, twists, and turns in addition to a more rugged terrain. For a historical experience, visitors can enjoy Trail of Tears State Park for their outdoor adventure. The park offers more than three thousand acres of outdoors with wildlife, trails, lakes, and play areas. It is also a beautiful memorial to the devastating forced migration of the Cherokee Native Americans in 1838-39. Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses when you visit Cape Girardeau. Route 66 was known for its roadside roses, and today you can see the flowers at Capaha Park. This garden is one of ten Rose Test Gardens to be certified by All-American Rose Selections. Beyond roses, the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center showcases wildflowers and offers the opportunity to learn how to support local plant habitats. The center also sells Southeast Missouri tree seedlings online. Charles Hutson Horticulture Greenhouse offers the widest variety of flowers in the area. The greenhouse offers student opportunities as part of the Southeast Missouri State’s agribusiness program. Plants are available for purchase here. Cape’s nurseries markets are also great places to get plants and supplies seasonally. Cape Girardeau is full of interesting adventures for everyone. The town offers historical sites as well as modern attractions such as greenhouses and gardens. There are family friendly trails along with more challenging excursions. Cape Girardeau is ready to meet any summer outing needs you have.