Fort Smith

Bronze horse rider statue against a modern building and blue sky.

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Frontier Spirit With a Modern Beat in Western Arkansas

Fort Smith honors its legendary past yet pulses with today’s energy, from the U.S. Marshals Museum and world-class murals to lively streets and riverfront views.

Fort Smith is a city where Old West grit meets a modern creative spirit. Murals from The Unexpected murals project brighten historic buildings, and the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum brings in rotating exhibits alongside local art. Garrison Avenue is alive with restaurants, pubs and breweries. The riverfront draws crowds for the Peacemaker Festival’s national music acts and the Old Fort Days Rodeo, a tradition locals love that dates back nearly a century.

History and outdoor adventure add even more reasons to visit. The Bass Reeves statue, immortalizing one of the first African American Deputy U.S. Marshals, helps bring the frontier past to life, while the Fort Smith National Historic Site and Belle Grove Historic District preserve stories of the Old West. Fishing along the Arkansas River is a favorite pastime, and trails at Ben Geren Regional Park and nearby Devil’s Den State Park open the door to hiking, paddling and exploring. Past and present come together here, giving every visit more to discover.

What’s Nearby

Places to Stay

Downtown hotels in the historic Garrison District keep you close to dining and nightlife, while hotels and motels along I-40 and I-540 offer affordable convenience. For a more outdoorsy stay, Lake Fort Smith State Park has cabins, campsites and RV hookups.

Places to Eat

Fort Smith’s dining scene makes food feel like home. From 24/7 breakfast at Benson’s Grill to steaks at 21 West End and seafood at AJ’s Oyster House, there is something for every taste from barbecue and catfish to craft breweries and international cuisine.

Things to Do

Fort Smith offers plenty to fill your day. Discover rotating galleries at the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum and catch live entertainment at Majestic Fort Smith or the Fort Smith Little Theatre. Take a drive through the Belle Grove Historic District to see beautiful 19th-century homes and stop at the U.S. Marshals Museum to learn about their legacy.

Get Outdoors

Start with fishing or paddling on the Arkansas River, then explore wildlife exhibits and trails at the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center. Ben Geren Regional Park adds a public golf course and playgrounds, while Lake Fort Smith State Park just north of the city offers hiking, camping and lake access.

State Parks

Close to the city, Lake Fort Smith State Park is a favorite for camping, hiking and boating in the Boston Mountains. A short drive away, Devil’s Den State Park is known for its mountain biking trails, sandstone bluffs and historic stone cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

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Experiences

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Fort Smith Is a Great Staycation City

Fort Smith, Ark. ranked No. 6 in WalletHub’s list of best cities for staycations, a vacation spent at home or nearby.

Calm lake with forested shoreline under a partly cloudy sky.

Lake Fort Smith State Park

A beautiful multi-use area on the banks of Lake Fort Smith, this is a scenic, well-maintained park in the Boston Mountain Valley of the Ozarks with camping, fishing, kayaking, hiking, and mountain biking. For backpackers, it is the western terminus...

U.S. Marshals Museum

The Museum features FIVE immersive galleries that educate guests about the critical, ever-evolving role of America's oldest federal law enforcement agency in upholding the Rule of Law, driven by justice, integrity and service. The Museum’s National...