Lake Fort Smith State Park RV & Campground Guide
Arkansas
- Home
- State Parks
- Arkansas
- Lake Fort Smith State Park
Lake Fort Smith State Park in Arkansas contains part of the 240-mile Ozark Highlands Trail, which passes through some of the most remote and beautiful areas of the Ozark Mountains and ends at the Buffalo National River. The region features flat-topped ridges, deep valleys, streams, limestone caves, and the highest point in the state. It's also the driest area in Arkansas, receiving the least amount of precipitation. Lake Fort Smith State Park offers guided hikes and events, such as the Holiday Open House and bird-watching events.
Nearby Cities:
Mountainburg, AR
Chester, AR
Locke, AR
Winfrey, AR
Spring 37–80 F
Summer 64–92 F
Fall 37–84 F
Winter 27–55 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Lake Fort Smith State Park
Campground Accommodations
Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 70 feet
Other amenities: Bathhouse, flush restrooms, trash receptacles, dump station, picnic tables, fire rings, outdoor swimming pool
Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground
Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground offers 30 spacious RV campsites with fire rings and picnic tables. Twenty of the campsites offer full hookups; the other 10 sites provide electrical and water hookups only. A dump station sits near the entrance to the park to allow the cleaning of RV waste tanks. Restrooms with flush toilets and a large, luxurious bathhouse with hot showers add comfort elements for campers. A heated Olympic-sized swimming pool lets guests swim, float, or dive safely. The visitor's center provides information on the area and holds artifacts from the early pioneering era, such as a replica log cabin and a covered wagon.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 15/20/30/50 amps
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi Available: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Fee: $21 to $40 per night
Fort Smith-Alma RV Park
If the campground at Lake Fort Smith Park is full, consider driving 20 miles south to the Fort Smith-Alma RV Park. This RV park pulls out all the stops when considering the comfort of its guests. Each of the 58 campsites is 18 feet in width. The 39 pull-through sites allow RVs up to 70 feet in length, while the 19 back-in sites limit the length of an RV to 40 feet. When you arrive, you receive an escort to your campsite to ensure that you are happy and comfortable. A barbeque and picnic table are supplied for each campsite. The hot showers and restrooms with flush toilets are clean and warm, even during the winter months. Groceries and RV supplies are available at the camp store. The park provides an LP gas service, an on-site RV washing facility, a laundry facility, and a rec hall with an incredible array of games. A swimming pool, horseshoe pits, and a well-stocked fishing pond round out the available activities that visitors enjoy.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30/50 amp
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi Available: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Fee: $38 to $51 per night
Silver Leaf RV Park
Silver Leaf RV Park sits 15 miles north of Lake Fort Smith State Park in Winslow, AR. The park features 20 RV sites, with 15 of the sites having pull-through capability. All campsites inside the park are shaded. Hot showers and restrooms with flush toilets are available for use by guests. A dump station is provided for guests to clean their waste tanks. Cable TV is provided free with the cost of a campsite.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30/50 amp
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi Available: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Fee: $25 to $38 per night
What to Do at
Lake Fort Smith State Park
You can learn about the region's early history at the visitor center, where you can find a replica pioneer log cabin, a covered wagon, and interpretive exhibits. Park staff offer lake tours and guided hikes throughout the year. You can also go hiking and kayaking on your own. Kayak, pedal boat, party barge boat, and motorboat rentals are available at the park marina.
In addition to hiking and boating, you can enjoy mountain biking, fishing, and wildlife watching at Lake Fort Smith State Park.
Inside Lake Fort Smith State Park
Lake Fort Smith State Park is a relatively new facility built to satisfy the needs of campers. It is the Ozark Highland Trail's western terminus, which travels over 240 miles through Arkansas' hills. Other pathways like the 12-mile Boston Mountain Trail, the 2-mile Shepherd Spring Trail, and the 1-mile Warren Hollow pathway range from easy to strenuous. A large swimming pool is provided because swimming is not allowed in Lake Fort Smith, nor are other water activities such as water-skiing, Jet-Skiing, or stand-up paddleboarding. Fishing and boating are permitted on the lake, but boats are limited to 10-horsepower engines.
Fishing
You can fish either from the shore or a boat at Lake Fort Smith. Species that are commonly caught include largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill, and redear sunfish. March through May is the best time for fishing at Lake Fort Smith because a lot of fish are biting then, and the weather is mild. Check before your trip to see if there's a fishing event or tournament that you'd like to take part in.
Geocaching
Arkansas has a geocache at every state park with a north clue and a west clue. If you add the coordinates of all clues, you can find the final coordinates for the state parks challenge.
Nature Watching
Birding and wildlife courses are available at the park if you'd like to learn more about the animals living there. Dawn and dusk offer the highest chances of spotting wildlife at Lake Fort Smith State Park. Wildlife to look for includes five-lined skinks, Promethea silk moths, black bears, bobcats, deer, armadillos, bats, and tortoises. Group bird-watching events take place at Polly Crews Overlook, which is conveniently located by the visitor center. In the winter, you can go on a winter songbird guided tour for a chance at spotting songbirds.
Stargazing
Lake Fort Smith State Park is one of the best spots for stargazing in Arkansas. Because of its location in the mountain range, not much light pollution is able to interfere with your view of the night sky. The marina and other open areas are prime locations for admiring the Milky Way. There are sometimes stargazing events at the park.
Flora and Fauna
Dogwood and redbud trees bloom in the spring at Lake Fort Smith State Park. In mid-spring through late spring, it's as if there's snow on the ground from the white dogwood petals falling. On the rocky hillsides, you may see perennial Carolina larkspurs, with most of the flowers being white and some in shades of blue. Columbines are other flowers to watch for in the rocky mountainous area. Hummingbirds and butterflies are often seen around columbines as well. By streams in shaded areas, you might see purple phlox.
Hiking
View waterfalls, valleys, and ridges on the 3 miles of the Ozark Trail that run through Lake Fort Smith State Park. You're welcome to continue farther on the trail if you want a longer hike. Shepherd Spring Trail, a moderate 1.7-mile hike, provides upper ridgeline views of the Frog Bayou drainage.
Boating
Take a boat ride on Lake Fort Smith to enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Half-day and full-day boat rentals are available at the marina.
Swimming
Swimming isn't allowed in the lake, but you can swim at the park's outdoor swimming pool. It has two water slides, a wading pool, a splash pad, and lounge chairs. It's open from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend.
Biking
Weave in and out of heavily wooded draws and drainages on the Boston Mountain Trail, a moderate to difficult 12.4-mile mountain biking trail.
How to Get to
Lake Fort Smith State Park
Lake Fort Smith State Park is easy to access from scenic Highway 71. The major Arkansas city of Fayetteville is only 32 miles from the park. From Fayetteville, travel on Highway 71 S for about 25 miles, and then turn left onto AR-400. Turn right onto Becky Wright Lane and then left onto Campground Loop, and you will have reached the state park.
Entering Lake Fort Smith State Park
There's a large parking area at the visitor center. Other parking areas are at the marina and playground areas. It's free to enter all Arkansas state parks.
Lake Fort Smith State Park Entry Fee : $0.0
You'll make memories that last a lifetime when you take an RV adventure to Lake Fort Smith State Park. If you don't have an RV of your own, rent one with RVshare! If you share your trip photos on social media, be sure to tag us, or send them to [email protected] for a chance to be featured on our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Fort Smith State Park
Spring and summer are the best times of year to visit Lake Fort Smith State Park because fishing is at its peak and boat rentals are available. Fall is also a beautiful time to visit if you'd like to see the park when its leaves are changing colors.
Lake Fort Smith State Park has eagles, hummingbirds, winter songbirds, armadillos, bats, black bears, bobcats, and plenty of other wildlife that you can see. Spend some time out at dawn and dusk for a higher chance of spotting wildlife.
Yes, there are designated RV camping spots with full hookups at Lake Fort Smith State Park. Some of the sites can accommodate RVs up to 70 feet long.
You don't need to reserve a camping spot, but you should because there are only 30 campsites at the campground. The average nightly rate for a full-hookup site at Lake Fort Smith State Park is $40.
Yes, pets are allowed at Lake Fort Smith State Park. However, you can't take them inside of park buildings or into the lake.
Related
Millbury, Ohio RV Rental Deals Lebanon, Maine RV Rentals Nellis AFB, Nevada RV Rental Deals McCarr, Kentucky RV Rental Deals Rosebud, Missouri RV Rental Deals Bourbon, Missouri RV Rental Deals Hopedale, Illinois RV Rentals Lake Lucerne, Florida RV Rentals Quechee, Vermont RV Rentals Abbotsford, Wisconsin RV Rental Deals