Activities

Among Arkansas's 23 lakes, we have compiled a small list of favorites. You can see them all here.

LAKE OUACHITA

• The largest lake in the state at over 40,000 acres; excellent fishing and beautiful scenery; privately owned resorts, a state park and Corps of Engineers campgrounds are on the lake's shores.

LAKE CATHERINE STATE PARK

• This peaceful park is located on Lake Catherine, one of five lakes in the beautiful Ouachita Mountain region. The only full-service marina on the lake is here at the park and open in the summertime for bait, snacks/drinks, and fuel. Boat rentals are available year-round. The park also includes a launch ramp, pavilion, picnic sites, playgrounds, and a well-marked trail that leads to a waterfall.

DEGRAY LAKE RESORT STATE PARK

• Near Hot Springs and Little Rock, Arkansas’s resort state park is located on the shores of beautiful DeGray Lake. Here, you’ll find first-class lodging and amenities along with outdoor fun and adventure year-round.

PARROT ISLAND WATERPARK

• Parrot Island Waterpark in Fort Smith, Arkansas features the areas only two lane FlowRider® and wave pool. Plus, you’ll love our four twisting and turning water slides, relaxing lazy river, activity pool and themed children’s aquatic play area. Our outdoor waterpark has over 400,000 gallons of aquatic fun and has a variety of amenities, including party pavilions, cabana rentals, food and beverage, Shopping at the Tiki Hut Gift Shop, complimentary deck and lounge chairs, complimentary inner tubes and expansive grass lawns for relaxing.  Learn more

THE PARK AT WEST END

• Fort Smith's charming and picturesque downtown park, complete with a Ferris Wheel from the 1935 World's Fair in San Diego, a vintage carousel hand-painted in Treviso, Italy, a refurbished Pullman railcar diner, a Double Decker Bus concession stand and more! Learn more

FORT SMITH MUSEUM OF HISTORY

• Fort Smith Museum of History strives to preserve approximately 40,000 artifacts chronicling the city’s history as well as care for the 1907 Atkinson-Williams Warehouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which houses the museum. Learn more

FORT SMITH NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

• At Fort Smith National Historic Site you can walk where Mexican War & Civil War soldiers drilled, pause along the Trail of Tears, and stand where justice was served to some of the most vile outlaws of The Wild West. Learn more

FORT SMITH REGIONAL ART MUSEUM

• RAM facilitates nationally and internationally recognized traveling exhibitions and rotating exhibits of works by local and regional artists. In addition to ongoing exhibitions the museum offers classes for children and adults, lectures, opening receptions, children’s art camps, galas, free Saturday programming, after school programs and artist-led workshops. The museum offers facility rentals and a specialty gift shop featuring one-of-a-kind items created by local and regional artists. Learn more

MISS LAURA'S VISITORS CENTER

• Out of seven "row houses" that lined Fort Smith's Old West red light district, Miss Laura's is the only house of ill-repute that stood the test of time. Now, it is the only former bordello on the National Register of Historic Places, and it has been fully restored to its original grandeur. Learn more

FORT SMITH NATIONAL CEMETERY 

•  Fort Smith National Cemetery is located in Sebastian County, Arkansas. Fort Smith has played an important role in the expansion and development of the United States. By the early 19th century more and more white settlers were moving into the territory acquired through the Louisiana Purchase of 1805. Tensions with the local Native Americans increased as both groups competed for space and resources. To ensure the safety of the settlers, the U.S. Army established a string of military posts along the western frontier. Fort Smith was the first and westernmost of these. Learn more

ELVIS BARBERSHOP MUSEUM

• “Hair today, gone tomorrow!" - Elvis Presley, March 25, 1958, upon being asked what he thought of giving up his famous sideburns to be inducted into the U.S. Army. Learn more

US MARSHALS MUSEUM

• The Museum will feature a unique exterior with a modified star-shaped design signifying the star badge worn by courageous U.S. Marshals. Learn more

FORT SMITH AIR MUSEUM

• In September 2002, the Fort Smith Air Museum relocated to the new Fort Smith Regional Airport Terminal when it was completed. There are now sixty-four display cases honoring pioneer and military aviators from western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. Learn more

ST. SCHOLASTICA MONASTERY

• We, the Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith, Arkansas, have responded to a call to seek God by a total gift of self in a religious community of celibate women, who make profession to live the Gospel according to the Rule of Benedict, the norms of the Federation of St. Gertrude, and the norms of the Monastery. Learn more

Fort Smith Trolley Museum

• The Fort Smith Trolley Museum is a streetcar and railroad museum in Fort Smith, in the U.S. state of Arkansas, which includes an operating heritage streetcar line. The museum opened in 1985, and operation of its streetcar line began in 1991. Learn more

For more historic attractions in Fort Smith, please visit Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau

FORT SMITH DOG PARK

• Like most dog parks, our purpose is to provide off-leash exercise and socialization opportunities for our four legged companions while promoting responsible dog ownership through events and programs. Learn more

CHAFFEE CROSSING DOG PARK

• ERC Builders has plans to construct a dog park on Veterans Ave. near the Wells Lake Spillway (known as Fireman's Lake in days gone by) and with access to the Chaffee Crossing trail system. Once completed, the park will be donated to Fort Smith Parks & Recreation so it will be accessible to all area residents.