Fort Smith National Historic Site

Address:301 Parker Avenue
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Tel: (479) 783-3961

Walk along the Trail of Tears where thousands of Choctaw, Chickasaw, Muscogee Creek, and Seminole journeyed. Explore the area best by visiting Fort Smith National Historic Site. This historic site commemorates the forced removal of the five southeastern tribes from their homelands and offers an incredible opportunity to learn of life on the frontier!

Today, Fort Smith National Historic Site includes the remains of two frontier forts and the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas. Begin at the Visitor Center, located in the former barracks, courthouse and jail buildings. Plan to spend about 45 minutes touring the exhibits on the military, Trail of Tears, and the federal court, including two jails and the courtroom of Judge Parker. An orientation film in the Visitor Center provides a great overview of the history of the site. The oldest building still standing in Fort Smith is the Commissary, and today you can visit it as it looked in the 1850s when it supplied military troops with food items. The foundation remains of the first Fort Smith, and a reconstruction of the gallows used by Judge Parker is also available for visitors to view. A walking trail along the Arkansas River includes wayside exhibits on the Trail of Tears and great nature viewing opportunities. Kids will enjoy the Junior Ranger program and Children's Hands-on Workshops held throughout the year—so check the schedule and plan your trip accordingly! Make sure you stop by the cannon or the military supply wagon for some fun pictures—bring your camera!

To get to Fort Smith National Historic Site, take Interstate 40 Eastbound and exit at Roland. Drive six miles on Highway 64 to downtown Fort Smith. If you're coming from Interstate 40, get off at Interstate 540 South and exit west on Rogers Avenue. Learn more about the Native Americans and their historic Trail of Tears while exploring a preeminent fort in the great frontier!