Fort Smith National Historic Site

Fort Smith National Historic Site is a national historic site run by the National Park Service in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

In the park service’s words

Explore life on the edge of frontier and Indian Territory through the stories of soldiers, the Trail of Tears, scandals, outlaws, and lawmen who pursued them. From the establishment of the first Fort Smith on December 25, 1817, to the final days of Judge Isaac C. Parker's jurisdiction over Indian Territory in 1896, Fort Smith National Historic Site preserves almost 80 years of history.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Park Passport Stamps at Fort Smith NHS (2 to 15 Minutes): Stamp your passport! Stamps are available inside the visitor center lobby at Fort Smith National Historic Site.
• Explore the Parade Ground (30 to 45 Minutes): The loop around the Parade Ground is one quarter of a mile. It was the center of life at the fort from 1838 - 1871.
• Become a Fort Smith BARK Ranger (10 to 30 Minutes): Complete the Fort Smith BARK Ranger booklet so your pet can become an official BARK Ranger!
• Become a Fort Smith Junior Ranger (45 to 60 Minutes): Complete a Junior Ranger booklet to earn an official Fort Smith Junior Ranger badge!
• Walk the River Loop Trail (30 to 60 Minutes): The trail is open year round. No access to the river. No water or restrooms are located along the trail.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, Sunrise - 11:00PM. The Gallows and Commissary are open during Visitor Center hours, which may vary by season. Please check Visitor Center Hours for more information. Park grounds are open daily from 30 minutes before sunrise until 11:00 pm.

Getting there

From Interstate 40 Eastbound: Exit at Roland and drive six miles on highway 64 to downtown Fort Smith. From Interstate 40 Westbound & from North Interstate 540 & Fayetteville: Take Interstate 40 Westbound to Interstate 540 south. Exit west on Rogers Ave and continue towards downtown Fort Smith. In the downtown area: On Rogers or Garrison Ave, turn south at 4th St. Turn right onto Garland Ave. Entrance to the main parking lot is at the end of the next block. Oversize parking is available.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• [Visitor Center, Gallows, and Commissary](): Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Summer Operating Hours: open 7 days a week from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Gallows and Commissary are open from 9:15 am to 4:45 pm.

Weather

Fort Smith weather includes four distinct, yet temperate seasons. Spring and fall are usually mild while late summer is hot and humid. During winter months, temperatures occasionally dip into the teens. Forecast often changes dramatically due to surrounding weather influences. Arkansas's central location allows weather systems from all directions to influence its climate. The area is prone to flash flooding and river flooding in rainy seasons.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Hot Springs, about 99 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Fort Smith National Historic Site (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.