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Wescoat Shelter

at Trail of Tears State Park

To reserve this shelter, or to check for availability, visit our reservation page* or contact the park at 573-290-5268.

*Shelters can be reserved online from 30 days to 12 months in advance of the day of use. Reservations for arrival dates less than 30 days out can be made only by contacting the park.

Large wooden shelter with playground in background

Shelter Amenities
  • 14 picnic tables
  • Electricity
  • Two grills
  • Flush toilets nearby, available April 1-Oct. 31
  • Water fountain and hydrant available April 1-Oct. 31
  • Length x width: 57' x 25'
  • Maximum occupancy: 100
  • Distance to beach: 3 miles
  • Distance to overlook: 4.5 miles
  • Distance to playground: 10 yards
  • Distance to visitor center: 1.25 miles

​​For more information about the park's picnic areas, click here.

Picnic tables and grills under the roof of the shelter

Park Hours

Park Hours

Weather

Check Weather

Coordinates

37.451448, -89.459639

Park Hours

For temporary closures related to weather, stewardship activities and maintenance, as well as temporary trail closures, click here to visit our Park and Site Status Map.

On the following days (actual or observed), staff will not be available and park buildings will be closed: Thanksgiving Day; Nov. 29, 2024; Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; New Year’s Eve; New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Lincoln’s Birthday; and Presidents Day. 

Park Grounds

  • 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., April through October
  • 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., November through March

Overlook hours

7 a.m. to dusk, daily

Beach hours

Beach closed for the season

Visitor Center hours

April through October (On-Season)

  • April
    10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
    Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday
    Closed Monday through Friday
  • May through September
    9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday
    Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
    Closed Monday and Tuesday
  • Oct. 1 through Oct. 31
    9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday
    Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
    Closed Monday through Wednesday
  • Nov. 1 through March 15 (Off-Season)
    Closed
  • March 16-31
    10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
    Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday
    Closed Monday through Friday

Park Office hours

Summer Hours (on-season)

April through September

9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday

Noon to 5 p.m., Sunday

October

9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Saturday

Noon to 5 p.m., Sunday

Closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

Winter Hours (off-season)

November through March

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday

Noon to 4 p.m., Sunday

Closed Monday through Friday