The Trail of Tears Ride
The Trail of Tears ride consists of 3 parts, the Cherokee/ross's landing part; the official Saturday ride; and the ride to indian country. Each part of the ride is described below.
1st part - Cherokee to Ross's landing and Bridgeport
The official ride happens on the 3rd Saturday of every september. before that day, on the friday before the official ride, riders gather in Cherokee, NC to make the ride to Ross's landing, and then on to Bridgeport. some of the organizers leave from Bridgeport on the thursday morning before the official ride with a group of supporters to ride to cherokee and spend the night in preparation for the Friday ride to Bridgeport via Ross's Landing.
On Friday morning the organizers and supporters gather with members of the eastern band of the cherokee to make the ride to Ross's landing. the historical significance of ross's landing in the story of the trail of tears is that the landing is where the indians who were forced from their homes to move westward were marched to Ross's landing with the intent to load them on barges and move them up the Tennessee river to waterloo, where they would disembark and continue the march to indian territory in present day oklahoma.
the ride from Cherokee is escorted by the many law enforcement agencies through north carolina and tennessee nearly the entire way from Cherokee to Ross's landing. The ride from Cherokee usually consists of between 50 and 75 riders but that number continues to grow each year as more and more friends of the ride join us in Cherokee to make the first leg of the trail of tears ride. We stop at Ross's landing because of its historical significance to the trail of tears.
The plan of the military was to gather the indians at ross's landing where they'd be loaded on barges and floated up the Tennessee river to waterloo, where they'd disembark and continue the march to Indian Territory in Oklahoma. Because of a drought and low water on the Tennessee that plan was scrapped and the decision made to march the indians overland all the way to oklahoma. The roundup began in May of 1838 and the survivors arrived in Oklahoma in March of 1839. The march through the dead of winter took the lives of about 1/3.
We depart Ross's landing after an extended stop and proceed to bridgeport for the reception and the festivities of the Friday night kickoff party.
If you want to ride with the organizers out of Bridgeport going to cherokee on the thursday before the ride, please contact ike moore to rendezvous with them.
the 2nd part - the official ride - 3rd saturday in september
The official Ride that commemorates the Trail of tears and that thousands of riders participate on the 3rd Saturday of every september runs from Bridgeport on the east side of alabama all the way to waterloo that sits over near alabama's western border. this is the portion of the ride that commemorates the specific trail, the drane-hood route, on which most of the cherokee perished. This portion of the ride is escorted from end to end by the Alabama law enforcement. Every intersection is blocked for us and we travel unhindered the entire way and are greeted by thousands of alabamans who come out to watch the procession and wave at riders.
the 3rd part - the westward ride - Leaves sunday morning
On Sunday morning the ride organizers and a group of hardy supporters leave from Spring Park in Tuscumbia to head west for this year's special event. This year we have been asked by the city of Ft. Smith, AR to allow them to honor us and the Trail of tears Ride. We will be greeted by city officials and shown appreciation for our efforts every year. The ride west is a 2 day event... leisurely riding... with stay overnight in Searcy, OK.
if you have never joined us for the ride to Cherokee or the ride west, please consider taking the 4 days to come with us and celebrate this important event.
The 31st annual ride is history! click on the link here to visit the ride recap page and get connected to photos from the ride and a summary of how this past year's ride went! Every year the experience is unique!
special recognition to the following law enforcement agencies for their gracious support in providing escort and traffic control. This year we enjoyed having the majority of our entire route from Cherokee, NC to WeWoka, oK escorted by our friends in 'Blue'.
Cherokee PD, Cherokee County, Polk County, Bradley County, Bridgeport PD, Colbert County, Tishomingo County, Corinth PD, Alcorn County, Tippah County, Walnut PD, Shelby County, Memphis PD, ARkansas State Patrol, Crittenden County, Searcy PD, Conway PD, Mansfield PD, McAlester PD, Lighthorse PD.
the official ride - 3rd saturday in september
This Year's special design
This year's special design, printed on all official 32nd Annual Trail of Tears commemorative motorcycle ride merchandise is intended to capture the history and spirit of the ride. the special design is produced by our own artist, arissa wheeler. to learn more about the design click here.
this year's ride info
remember, the official ride that happens on the 3rd saturday of every september is preceded by a ride to cherokee, nc on the Thursday before the ride. then we ride back to bridgeport on Friday. Saturday morning the official ride leaves from bridgeport to waterloo. Then on sunday we leave from spring park in tuscumbia for somewhere in indian country. our final destination is different each year and we are typically greeted by tribal leadership for an acknowledgement and appreciation ceremony. take in the full experience of the trail of tears.
This year, following the official saturday ride, we will travel west to be welcomed and recognized by the city of Ft. Smith, the focus city on this years end of the ride. Fort Smith's story is important in the saga of the trail of tears.
Below you'll find an image of the entire ride route with a time schedule included. We make this available if you'd like to download it. Just Right click on it and 'Save Image As'.... or you can click here and download the PDF that has the full route in images.
we hope everyone will make the entire ride with us. start making your vacation plans now!
Thursday 9/17/2026
Ride to Cherokee Nc to meet with the eastern band of the cherokee nation.
For information about riding to Cherokee, NC with other riders contact Ike Moore or Michael Hutton.
FRIDAY 9/18/26
Ride from Cherokee, NC to end in Bridgeport, AL
10:00 AM EDT depart Cherokee, NC to Murphy, NC BP for a 30 min stop
11:45 AM EDT depart to Ocoee Express Benton, TN for a 30 min stop
1:00 PM EDT depart to Ross Landing Chattanooga, TN
3:00 PM EDT depart Ross Landing in Chattanooga, TN for Bridgeport, AL arrive 3:00 PM CDT
For more info click here.
TRAIL OF TEARS KICK-OFF PARTY
BRIDGEPORT, AL
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2026
Kids Bounce House, Food Trucks, Vendors, Concert, Fireworks, 4 $500 Cash giveaways!
Best Bike award people’s choice
3rd place$50, 2nd place $100 & 1st place $200
3:00 PM CDT Bikes arrive from Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Reservation in Cherokee, NC
5:00 PM CDT Welcome remarks
5:30 PM CDT Live Music Starts / Barney Fife Impersonator, Andy Woods, on site
7:30 PM CDT Live from Broadway in Nashville, John Stone and The Trailer Park Allstars
9:00 PM CDT Fireworks & 3 best bike giveaways
9:30 PM CDT John Stone and The Trailer Park Allstars
For vendor information call Len Colvin256-548-0809
SATURDAY 9/19/26
Ride from Bridgeport, AL to end in Waterloo, AL
8:00 AM CDT – Depart Bridgeport, AL for Redstone Harley Davidson, Madison AL lunch stop
12:00 PM CDT – Depart Redstone Harley Davidson for Waterloo, AL
SUNDAY 9/20/26
Tuscumbia to Searcy, AR
8:00 AM CDT – Depart Spring Park Tuscumbia, AL to Walnut, MS
9:45 AM CDT – Depart Loves Travel Center Walnut, MS to East End Grill Memphis, TN for1.5 hour Lunch Stop
12:30 PM CDT – Depart East End Grill to La Quinta Inn Searcy, AR
MONDAY 9/21/26
9:00 AM CDT – Depart La Quinta Inn
Searcy, AR to courtyard by marriot
Ft. Smith Arkansas
If you haven't signed up for the mailing list please do that so we can keep you up to date about the events that are coming!! Sign up on the home page.
● Door Prize drawings throughout the evening (must be present to win)
For More Info on the Bridgeport Celebration click here.
**attention**
please be aware that we have our own deputy sheriff 'Barney fife' on duty to police the festivities. In the event of any rambunctuous behavior or tom foolery... he will be there to
'nip it in the bud'!!
For more info about our celebrity Barney Fife click here!
33rd anniversary party entertainment
september 18 to 20 - pow wow!
In Waterloo, Alabama
september 18-20, 2026
Starting Friday at 8:30 am, free 3 day pow wow, vendors, great food, arts and crafts, rider gear and much more.
Free live entertainment friday and saturday night
Check out the pow wow page for more info and photos.
Kickoff party!
Friday night, September 18th
Bridgeport, Alabama
come celebrate with us!!
Partial Entertainment Schedule:
North Boat Ramp
Indian Festival 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Memorial Walk at 10:00 AM from Bridge to Waterloo Landing
Entertainment info made available when we have it.
For more info on the pow wow click here
or email townofwaterlooal@gmail.com for all the events and times!
The City of waterloo's facebook powwow event page is here.
Friday night kickoff party!
this year's Kick-off Party entertainment has a very special line-up. We have tributes to two of the South's most iconic bands, the Eagles and Alabama. We also have a return of Scottsboro's '117 South' doing their roster of country songs and starting the entertainment at 5:30 after the welcoming ceremony.
5:00 pm Opening Ceremony
5:30 pm 117 South
7:00 pm Alabama Sunset
8:30 pm Fireworks Show
9:00 pm Eagle Sunrise
Beginning at 7:00 PM we have two the two tribute bands, Alabama Sunset and Eagle Sunrise, both fronted by Nashville artist Robert Abernathy.
Robert Abernathy - Nashville Country Recording Artist.
Robert Abernathy has been playing to audiences all over the country for the past 30 years as a Singer/Songwriter. He is the 2018 and 2023 Male Alabama Country Artist of the Year recipient along with numerous other awards.
As an active presence in the Nashville music scene, Robert has quickly become one of the legendary stages’ hottest acts. Robert has been actively performing, writing and releasing music, mostly Country, since 2010--- several which have made it to #1 in various Indie Radio Publications. (Water to Whiskey, Heaven Has a Radio, Bar Tan and Big Bass Problem) His latest Album, “”Somewhere Around 18” is available now. In addition to writing, recording and playing shows all over the country, Robert is also a teacher of 26 years and is currently an Elementary School Teacher in Rutherford County, just outside Nashville.
Robert is the Lead singer of the Eagles Tribute Band, Eagle Sunrise, and the Lead singer of the Alabama Tribute Band, Alabama Sunset in addition to his own band, the Robert Abernathy Band. He is a member of the Country Music Association, The Recording Academy (Grammys) and the Nashville Songwriters Association International.
Alabama Sunset is a high-energy tribute band celebrating the legendary country music group Alabama. It is fronted by award-winning vocalist Robert Abernathy and operates out of Birmingham, Alabama, and Nashville,Eagle Sunrise Band is a premier six-man Eagles tribute act from Birmingham, Alabama, known for recreating the classic 1970s sound, soaring vocal harmonies, and twin-guitar melodies of the original band. Formed around 2018, the group features award-winning southern musicians, including 2018 Alabama Country Artist of the Year Robert Abernathy. We are expecting this to be a great party for the 33rd Annual running of the Trail of Tears Ride. Come party and ride with us!
We produce a brochure each year that provides useful information about the ride and what is special for this year. It is a good guide to know what's going on and when! If you'd like to download the brochure just click on the image below.
SUNDAY 9/20/2026 See the Allen Ward memorial ride info (below). check back here later for details on the Sunday-Tuesday ride to this years destination in Indian territory.
For more info call 678-RIDE-TOT
Rides before and after the official ride
the official ride happens on the 3rd Saturday every September. However, the organizers ride to Cherokee on the Thursday before the official ride, and then ride with members of the eastern band of Cherokee, along with supporters, from Cherokee to Bridgeport, arriving Friday evening for the kickoff party. then the official ride happens Saturday and runs from Bridgeport to waterloo on the official Drane/hood route. Sunday morning the organizers leave from spring park in Tuscumbia for the Allen ward ride west. plan to ride the whole ride with us!
The Allen ward memorial ride west
After the official saturday Ride the organizers and a small group of the devoted leave on sunday morning for points west. This 'ride after the ride' is dedicated to Allen Ward, a long time supporter of the Annual Trail of Tears Ride. The destination of the Ride varies from year to year and often terminates with a visit to one of the 5 tribes in indian territory in oklahoma. For information about Allen Ward and about the ride in general, please click here. to learn more about allen and the memorial plaque that we placed for him at Dequeen, arkansas, please visit the 'dequeen plaque' page.
For information about this year's Allen Ward memorial ride... read on below!
This year's allen ward memorial ride
Sunday september 20th
Meet Sunday Morning at 8am cdt at Sacred Tears monument at spring Park for the UNESCORTED Ride West
The Sunday ride will take us from tuscumbia spring park, where we'll be escorted out of town. The schedule below shows the important schedule and info.
Ride Escorts: Dave Nelson, David Burnett and Mark Swindle
Depart Spring Park 8:00 am CDT Spring Park Road Tuscumbia AL
Arrive 10:40 East End Grill
Depart 12:30 East End Grill
All route info and hotel accommodations will be available about June 2024
Every year, the organizers and a hardy group of supporters makes a ride west, under the banner of the allen ward memorial ride. You can learn more general info about the 'ride after the ride' by clicking here. However, our destination changes year to year, with each year dedicated to some different interaction with one of the 5 tribes in Oklahoma 'Indian territory'. this year we will be visiting the chickasaw nation. this is an honored event and those that travel with us on the final leg of the Trail of Tears ride. You really should be there with us.
rides before the official ride
thursday/friday Organizer's ride from bridgeport to Cherokee and back
Billy & Pam Burns Memorial Ride - Benge Route to join 30th Annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride in Bridgeport AL
Montgomery, AL - Bridgeport Ride
Friday, September 19th 9am
assemble at 8 AM and leaving at 9:00, Harley Davidson of Montgomery 655 North Eastern Blvd Montgomery, AL 36117
11:00 AM Leaving and stopping at Roebuck Shopping Center in Birmingham and
11:30 PM - Leaving Birmingham Roebuck Shopping Center and
Stopping at DeKalb County Tourism on AL Hwy 35 in Fort Payne and
1:30 PM - Leave DeKalb County Tourism to arrive at the Bridgeport exit off HWY 72 to join the Riders from Cherokee NC at 2:45 PM & arrive in Bridgeport, AL at 3 PM.
3 PM - Bridgeport exit off HWY 72- Ride into downtown for the Kickoff Rally.
For more information contact
Dennis Johnson email alabamariderdennis@hotmail.com or call (334) 202-4389.
louis hutton memorial Ride from san antonio TX to cherokee, nc
on the monday before the trail of tears ride a group of christian fellowship riders leaves from san antonio, texas to travel across the states and arrive in cherokee, nc on the friday before the ride. on Thursday this group usually leaves from tellico plains, tn, and takes a ride up the cherohala skyway and then up through the smoky mountains on the way to cherokee, nc. These texas riders usually also take in the 'tail of the dragon' in north carolina. yeehaw!
to learn more about the louis hutton memorial ride click here.
if you are interested in joining this group in san antonio or anywhere along the route please contact michael hutton. or call 703 638 4724.
