Fort Smith National Historic Site
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.
Fees & passes
Free. No entrance fee here.
Hours
| Park Grounds and Trails | Daily · Sunrise - 11:00PM |
When to go
July draws the most visits here and January the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Visitor centers
- Visitor Center, Gallows, and CommissaryPassport stamp
This building has evolved over time. Beginning in 1846, it was the enlisted men's barracks and dining hall. In 1872, it was converted to a courthouse and jail. A second, more modern jail was added in 1888.
Explore
Things to do
- Park Passport Stamps at Fort Smith NHS2-15 Minutes
Stamp your passport! Stamps are available inside the visitor center lobby at Fort Smith National Historic Site.
Opens on the Park Service site - Explore the Parade Ground30-45 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.
Opens on the Park Service site - Become a Fort Smith BARK Ranger10-30 Minutes
Complete the Fort Smith BARK Ranger booklet so your pet can become an official BARK Ranger!
Opens on the Park Service site - Become a Fort Smith Junior Ranger45-60 Minutes
Complete a Junior Ranger booklet to earn an official Fort Smith Junior Ranger badge!
Opens on the Park Service site - Walk the River Loop Trail30-60 Minutes
The trail is open year round. No access to the river. No water or restrooms are located along the trail.
Opens on the Park Service site
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Webcams
Camera images load live from the National Park Service and partner agencies
Events
- 7th Annual Fort Smith Fall Festival10/2410:00 AM · free
- Fort Smith's Frontier Explorers11/0703:00 PM · freeJoin Ranger Justin's program inside the Visitor Center at 301 Parker Ave, Fort Smith, AR.
- Night Sky Event: Twinkle, Twinkle, Frontier Star11/0706:00 PM · freeMeet at the Fort Smith National Historic Site Visitor Center at 301 Parker Ave, Fort Smith, AR.
News
- Local Youth Conservation Corps Members Build Skills While Preserving Fort Smith National Historic Site ↗2026-09-14
Seven local Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) members spent the summer gaining hands-on work experience while helping to preserve and maintain Fort Smith National Historic Site.
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
On the National Register nearby
- Maumelle Ordnance Works Locomotive #1Structure · Fort Smith · 0.1 mi
- Atkinson-Williams WarehouseBuilding · Fort Smith · 0.2 mi
- Birney Safety Streetcar No. 224Structure · Fort Smith · 0.2 mi
- Commercial HotelBuilding · Fort Smith · 0.2 mi
Public land nearby
Distances are approximate. Wilderness Atlas publishes a center point and an acreage for each area rather than a boundary, so each area is treated here as a circle of the same size and the figure is the gap to that circle.
Guidebooks for the South
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Activities
Weather & climate
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.
Questions people ask
Does Fort Smith charge an entrance fee?
No. Fort Smith is free to enter.
Source: National Park Service
What are the hours at Fort Smith?
Standard hours are Sunrise - 11:00PM, every day.
Source: National Park Service
How busy is Fort Smith?
106,953 recreation visits in 2025, number 214 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
Is there cell service at Fort Smith?
At the park's reference point, FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G. Coverage inside the park varies by location.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is the weather like at Fort Smith?
Fort Smith weather includes four distinct, yet temperate seasons. Spring and fall are usually mild while late summer is hot and humid.
Source: Weather & climate
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
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