Fort Smith
Around Fort Smith
Photo: Tichnor Brothers, Publisher · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Arkansas · 232k people
Fort Smith
Locals say River Valley · “The River City”
A river town with a frontier heart
Navy blueGold
Welcome to the River Valley, where the Arkansas River meets the Ozarks. Whether you're here for the history, the outdoors, or just a good plate of catfish, you'll find a friendly community that's proud of its frontier roots.
Clubs for Fort Smith
No clubs for Fort Smith yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Fort Smith. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Fort Smith. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Fort Smith National Historic Site Historic fort and courthouse
- U.S. Marshals Museum Dedicated to federal law enforcement
- Queen Wilhelmina State Park Mountain lodge and trails near Mena
- Lake Fort Smith State Park Reservoir with camping and swimming
- Heavener Runestone Park Viking runestone in Oklahoma
- Van Buren Historic District 19th-century downtown
- Outdoors Hike the Ouachita National Forest
- Outdoors Float the Arkansas River
- With kids Tour the Fort Smith National Historic Site
- With kids Visit the U.S. Marshals Museum
- Evenings Catch a concert at TempleLive Fort Smith
- Evenings Listen to music on Garrison Avenue
- Locals love Riverfront parks
- Locals love Ozark mountain trails
Through the year
Hot, humid summers and mild winters, with the best weather in spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are mild and perfect for being outside.
Talk like a local
- “River Valley”
- The local name for the area around Fort Smith and Van Buren
- “Hog fan”
- A Razorback fan
- “Sooner”
- A Sooner fan
Getaways
- Fayetteville for Razorback games and the Ozarks College town with hiking and nightlife
- Tahlequah for Illinois River floats Canoeing and tubing on clear water
- Muskogee for the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Music history and riverfront
- Russellville for Mount Nebo and Lake Dardanelle Scenic mountain views and fishing
Local flavour
Teams
- Arkansas–Fort Smith Lions NCAA Division II
- Carl Albert State College Vikings NJCAA
Also rooting for Arkansas Razorbacks, Oklahoma Sooners, Dallas Cowboys, St. Louis Cardinals
Eat and drink
- Fried pies A local specialty, often filled with fruit or chocolate.
- Chocolate gravy A Southern breakfast staple, served over biscuits.
- Catfish Fresh from the Arkansas River, often fried and served with hushpuppies.
- Braum's An Oklahoma-based chain popular for its ice cream and burgers.
Where people go
- Riverfront parks Along the Arkansas River, offering walking trails and scenic views.
- Ozark mountain trails Hiking and outdoor recreation in the nearby Ouachita and Ozark forests.
- Historic frontier forts Fort Smith National Historic Site, a remnant of the frontier era.
- Barbecue joints Classic Southern BBQ spots with smoked meats.
- Country diners Homey eateries serving comfort food and breakfast all day.
Heritage and traditions
This region is proud of its frontier and Native American heritage, blending Arkansas and Oklahoma cultures along the Arkansas River.
This time of year in Fort Smith
- High school football Fall Friday nights in fall
- Mena Apple Festival October Celebrates local apple harvest
- Van Buren Fall Festival October Historic downtown event
Say it like a local: “bunch” — A group of people or gathering
Festivals
- Mena Apple Festival October Celebrates local apple harvest
- Riverfront Blues Festival May Live blues along the Arkansas River
- Spiro Mounds Celebration September Honors Native American mound builders
- Van Buren Fall Festival October Historic downtown event
Landmarks with a story
- Fort Smith National Historic Site Frontier fort and federal court
- U.S. Marshals Museum Commemorates federal law enforcement
- Spiro Mounds Pre-Columbian Native American mounds
- Heavener Runestone Viking runes carved in stone
- Van Buren Historic District Antebellum architecture
Food traditions
- Fried pies Hand-held fruit pies, a local staple
- Chocolate gravy Breakfast treat over biscuits
- Catfish dinners Fried catfish with hushpuppies
- Barbecue Smoked meats, often pork
Music and arts
- Blues Riverfront Blues Festival and local clubs
- Country music Honky-tonk and outlaw traditions
- Native American crafts Pottery and baskets
A little history
- 1817 Fort Smith founded as a military post
- 1875 Judge Isaac Parker's federal court
- 800-1450 AD Spiro Mounds civilization
- 1830s Trail of Tears through the area
Rivalries
- Arkansas Razorbacks vs Oklahoma Sooners College football rivalry
- Fort Smith vs Van Buren High school football and civic pride
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Bass fishing tournaments
- Outdoors Hike the Ouachita National Forest
- Outdoors Float the Arkansas River
- With kids Fishing at Lake Fort Smith
- With kids Hiking Mount Magazine
A Southern drawl with a touch of Oklahoma twang, often dropping 'g' in '-ing' words, and using 'y'all' for plural you.
Only here
- The Heavener Runestone—a Viking artifact in Oklahoma.
- Spiro Mounds—one of the most important Native American sites in the US.
- The U.S. Marshals Museum—only one in the nation.
- Fried pies as a standard dessert at local eateries.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the heat and humidity in summer; stay hydrated.
- Try a fried pie from a local diner—it's a regional treat.
- Learn to say 'y'all'—it's part of everyday speech.
- Explore the riverfront trails for a scenic walk.
- Be aware of tornado season in spring; have a plan.
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaPoteauOklahomaWhere the pines meet the sky and the rivers run quiet.StilwellOklahomaWhere the Ozarks meet Cherokee heart and strawberry fields.TahlequahOklahomaRiver town, Cherokee heartNorthwest ArkansasArkansasWhere the Ozarks meet a vibrant, growing community.ClarksvilleArkansasWhere the Ozarks meet the river, and everyone knows your name.MenaArkansasMountain air, crystal mines, and small-town warmth.MuskogeeOklahomaWhere azaleas bloom and the river runs wide.RussellvilleArkansasRiver valley charm, mountain views
Fort Smith, AR-OK. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.