Fort Smith is located near the Oklahoma border and serves as one of the two county seats for Sebastian County. The city has a population of about 89,000 people. It was first founded as a western frontier military post in the early 1800s and was officially incorporated in 1842. Because of its fascinating and historic location, the city is home to several museums, including the Fort Smith Museum of History, the Fort Smith Trolley Museum, and the Fort Smith Air Museum. Visitors can also stop at the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum or the Clayton House Museum. The city is also known for its excellent music scene, and visitors can stop for dinner and a show throughout the downtown area.
Summers in Fort Smith are hot and humid, with temperatures reaching into the 90s or even over 100. Winters, on the other hand, are mild, with temperatures in the 40s. Winter nights can drop below freezing, and the area occasionally sees snow. Fort Smith is also located in Tornado Alley, and the area sees the occasional harsh storm, particularly during the summer months. For these reasons, Fort Smith and the surrounding areas are often best visited by RV travelers in the spring and fall.
Backwoods at Mulberry Mountain – A must-visit event for campers and music fans alike, this event takes place in the Ozark National Forest every April.
Arkansas State Fair – An annual October event, this Little Rock fair offers carnival rides, foods, games, and competitions.
Washington County Fair – This August fair takes place in Prairie Grove, and it has a slightly smaller, more relaxed atmosphere.
Located about two and a half hours from Fort Smith, Hot Springs National Park is Arkansas’s only national park. The park offers beautiful sights, nearby camping, and many options for wildlife viewing and hiking. Most visitors come to bathe in the many natural hot springs for which the park is named.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina is about 10 and a half hours from Fort Smith. This incredible park covers 500,000 acres, and it’s home to a diverse collection of plants and animals. Nature enthusiasts can view wildflowers, hike through meadows and forests, or spot wildlife such as bears, deer, birds, chipmunks, groundhogs, and bats. There are also many opportunities for rafting, paddling, swimming, fishing, mountain biking, and camping.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is about 11 hours and 15 minutes from Fort Smith. The park is worth the drive, however, thanks to its stunning scenery and wide range of recreational activity options. Many people come to the park to scale Guadalupe Mountain, Texas’s highest peak, but there are also opportunities for more gentle hiking, photography, rock climbing, camping, and paddling.
Lake Fort Smith State Park is only about 40 minutes from Fort Smith itself. The park surrounds Lake Fort Smith, which is about 1,400 acres in size. Visitors to the park can camp, hike, boat, or fish. Swimming isn’t allowed in the lake, but there is a large swimming pool so visitors can cool off during the warm summer months.
Tenkiller State Park in Oklahoma is less than an hour’s drive from Fort Smith. The park spans 1,190 acres along Tenkiller Ferry Lake. Many people enjoy visiting the area during the spring and fall when the wildflower and foliage colors are at their peaks. Visitors can enjoy boating, tubing, and hiking throughout the warmer seasons, however, and there are many nearby camping options.
Located about an hour and 20 minutes from Fort Smith, Queen Wilhelmina State Park covers about 460 acres. This beautiful park is a wonderful place to spot wildlife or enjoy the area’s dramatic landscapes. Visitors can also stop at the Queen Wilhelmina Lodge to relax or learn more about the history of the area.
One of the most amazing landmarks in Arkansas is the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is a haven for abandoned and abused big cats, and it’s home to more than 100 animals on 450 acres. Visitors can see lions, tigers, and other animals while learning about wildlife conservation.
Christ of the Ozarks is another stunning monument in Arkansas. This 65-foot-tall statue was erected in the 1960s and is part of an outdoor drama performed seasonally in a 4,100-seat nearby amphitheater.
Mount Magazine is the tallest peak in Arkansas, and this incredible landmark is located inside Mount Magazine State Park. Visitors can enjoy the area’s stunning views, hike, or have a picnic on the mountain’s flat top.
The William O. Darby RV Community is a great option for RV camping. This community has 38 sites and offers daily rates starting at only $20. Full hookups are available, and there are showers, a laundry area, and picnic tables. Another option is the pet-friendly Park Ridge RV Campground, which offers full hookups, showers, and a dump station. Cloud Nine RV Park has 45 sites with either partial or full hookups. The sites are pull-through, and daily rates start at $33 for two people. There is also an exercise room and a laundry area.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Fort Smith, AR, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Fort Smith?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Fort Smith from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Fort Smith?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
