Reviews of Fort Smith National Historic Site (Zoo)

Neil Frazier

Not sure

shihyang lin

Beautiful site. Plenty of room to check things out while social distancing. A cool little trail takes you all around the gallows and old barracks buildings all they way down to the water. All of the buildings have information posted that tells you what its purpose was. Very cool site to check out if you are in town and have time.

Christine J

No

Shannon Hernandez

Great place to learn about the history of fort Smith

Noah Patterson

Weekend

Tiffani Vido

Very informative tour. The hands on stuff is great. Being able to go into the old jail cells is very interesting. Lots of wonderful photo fun.

Melinda Ruth

My husband and I visited here recently. We arrived 30 minutes before they closed. Was a quick stop on our way to Oklahoma. The staff was helpful and informative. When we visited, the Visitor Center was closed but there was a table with information and a Park Ranger in front of the Visitor Center. You can get info there, get the stamps to cancel out that location in the National Parks book and ask the Park Ranger information. Was a little disappointed that the actual Fort was no longer there. The base of the walls line the park showing where it used to be located at. And there was a building on the property from the 1800's that you can go inside. Ended up being a nice stop, even though we only had 30 minutes to look around. At the time we visited there were no parking or entrance fees.

Damian Quattlebaum

Visited on

Beth Saxton

Great place to learn about some of Fort Smith's rich history. Staff were all friendly, place was clean and well kept and information was abundant. Admission is $10 per person they do accept credit and debit. Lots of videos to watch while touring. Didnt get to tour the outside as there was a heavy downpour of rain all day but it looked very interesting none the less.

Casey Swenson

$6–10

Shawna Williams

No wait

Thomas Rucker

Unfortunately due to Covid can't do everything, but you are still able to take a step back in history and learn a lot!

Jason Raby

Wow. So much information! This site does an amazing job of posting just enough information on each sign to tell you what you are looking at and why it is significant, without being so informative that you can't finish reading it because the kids have gotten bored and walked off. The Jr. Ranger books are spot on and age appropriate. We learned quite a bit from them. We spent about an hour and a half wandering around and didn't finish due to the rain. Wish we could have spent a while longer here!

Kathy Emerson

Weekday

Addrian Chill

Enjoyed touring here!! We will be back!! We want to tour the building since it was closed due to repairs being done to fix the damage after the ice storm last year. Also they are in the process of putting the trails of tears overlook back after it was washed out by flooding of the Arkansas River.

Nathan Pierce

Visited on

christina k

What a great National Park for sure, had a great visit. The Park Rangets were great, thank you for being so helpful!

Rho M.

Price for adult entry

Keith Needham Photography

The majority of the trails are through nice, relaxing, wooded areas along the riverbank. The informational signs are also interesting if you like history (though a bit depressing in this particular case). I enjoyed this park- and town - much more than I ever imagined i would.

John Manfred

Great place! Much history! Very nice.

Donna Kimes

So much amazing history! We absolutely loved it & it is such a beautiful place to also take your family on a nice, scenic walk as well!

Kelli “JaguarPaw” Connolly Bear

Weekday

Lord Caleb McCarty

If you look history, or maybe a nice scenic view this is an excellent place for you.

Tom Rucker

Wait time

Daniel Ward

Its a great history lesson. Stuff I've never heard about or only knew the bare minimum to get through class. It was very hot when we went so I didn't do everything outside.

Miranda Snow

Visited on

J.W Anderson

This place was everything I hoped it would be. The history of the fort spans several eras, so there is something for everyone with an interest in history. Interactive, visual displays all over. Beautiful grounds to walk as well. I recommend a visit.

Jacob Gordon

Price for adult entry

Serik Suieu

Wait time

Mark Rapier

Clean, well-presented history.

Trish Davidson

Reservation recommended

Turtle Holmes

No

Richard Wildhirt

Cool stop not far off the highway close to the river and the river walk. Trail of Tears overlook. River walk park also cool with bike trails to ride!

jim catalfamo

Weekday

Eric Treadwell -Geotread-

Great preservation of history. Wonderful to walk around. Visitor center needs to open now!!!

Frankque Graham

Reservation recommended

Christin Kandau

Great place for portrait photography! ????

Rob Stevenson (OK ROB)

As I walked through this National Cemetery in Fort Smith on memorial day, I seen row after row of people buried, from Union to Confederate, soldiers and loved ones from every war that America has helped with, nobody is seperated, these men and women fought for our freedom, and the freedom for other countries , it isnt a long weekend, it is a time to set aside and remember what these people did and the others that are still fighting. I seen people, Gods people walking to their loved was grave, people of all color . We owe these families so much kindess and respect.

Sharlene Czajkowski

Loved it there. Learned lots of new things and had fun doing it

Mal Acoid (Mal)

A popular park with the fort smithians that live close to downtown, very relaxing and nice walking trails

Lizzie Sinclair

Interesting historical site; unfortunately, the major indoor exhibits were closed due to COVID restrictions. National Park Services employee was kind enough to explain its historical significance - "Hanging" Judge Parker, Trail of Tears (Indian tribes' migration to reservations, etc.). Some may remember the court and jail scenes from John Wayne's "True Grit," that were based on this location.

Mandy Ramsey

Nice park & parking! Was too late to get into the museum though. The city is beautiful!

Tenia Wilson (The Breakfast Crew)

This was a cool park. We enjoyed exploring the park and learning from the many informational signs. We were also greeted by the park ranger and was able to get our stamp. No. you do not need a gun to walk around the park. It’s safe and well maintained.

Bluewolf

I went back to around 1870 A.D. as soon as I found out what was about to begin here and implored all people's in the surrounding territories to obey the laws in place because this is the place that will enforce them, and punish you to its fullest extent - even delivering you to the executioner, and making lasting examples to this day. And how well kept and standing out in living color are the physical evidences of that time continually preserved at the Site for me and for generations to come.

Alex Ojeda

No

James Stephens

very interesting. better not advertise too much, some group may try to dismantle the historic items.

Anthony Conville

It was nice and clean lawn we went at 2:30 and it was closed so didn't get to go inside

TERESA GRAY

No wait

bacon pope

Not sure

Joe Roberts

Weekend

Jackie Wall Doornik

Price for adult entry

Hobo Nation T.V.

This was a neat stop on our trip! Lots of interesting information and a beautiful place to visit in the Spring. Make sure you walk around the path and see the old fort site and read the information on the trail of tears.

Jeff Virginia

Surprised me how interesting this place is! This is where “the hanging judge” ruled. Go to the visitor center at the back of the former Federal Court to get more information. We learned the 9/28 this year there will be the Fall Festival held here. There will be historic reenactors and more. We definitely will be back!

Robert Blake

Weekday

Emma Triplett

Cleat markings. Mostly accurate, historical information. I enjoyed visiting Fort Smith and engaging with local businesses. (Very friendly) The Trolly cats are sweet. Thank you for keeping them feed and sheltered. Be mindful of vagrants and homeless in the area.

Whitney Honeycutt

No wait

Nick Farrow

No wait

Jessica M.

Price for adult entry

Candy Plunkett

Price for adult entry

Moving on with Old Man River Old man river

Wait time

Todd Flowers

An interesting historical place. It was nice to walk in a clean park and expand your horizons.

Frank Raimann

$6–10

Michelle Mason

Wait time

Angie McClanahan

Family had a great time. We learned about Judge Parker

Sibley Pennington

Reservation recommended

Geordy MacDougall

We loved this place, it is so full of history. We were there through the week. We were able to walk through the buildings and the grounds and take our time reading everything and at our own pace.

Anna Raymond

It has a beautiful trail to walk down and a great view of the river. The information boards are interesting and it's good to learn the history of the location.

Richard Newton

$6–10

Caitlin Miller

Great place for history! Enjoyed the paved trails and information plaques along the way. Building is closed due to construction but the grounds made for an enjoyable afternoon!

Marina Schijven

It was so cool to see exactly where Indian tribes and soldiers were standing at some point in time! Watch out for the birds, they are inside some outdoor places.

J Wilson

This place is amazing. Fort Smith has so much history and this museum does a great job of portraying it. The main visitor's center has many exhibits as well as the original partition if the jail that was used in the 1800's. If you enjoy the old west or native American culture this museum provides a lot of value in those categories. The outside area is great to walk and explore. There is another building on site that is the oldest building in Fort Smith. The site offers a beautiful view of the Arkansas river. Definitely worth stopping by if you're in the area! The cost to view the exhibits in the visitor center is $10 per person. I do not recommend this place for small children as they don't really offer a lot to engage that age group.

Adan Edson

Lots of nice walking trails along the river with wayside signs that chronicle the history of the fort. On the day we visited, park rangers had left a box on near the side entrance to the visitors center with Jr Ranger booklets, Jr Ranger badges, information pamphlets and park stamps. We ran into two rangers who said it was their first day leaving out these park items and a test run. Junior Ranger would need access to the visitor's center to complete the booklet, but there was still a lotof information kids can gather from the wayside information signs. We really appreciated having the booklets, badges and stamps available, as my kids love national parks and the junior ranger program. On the park's website they also have a junior ranger program for the outdoor portion of the park- be warned that this booklet is dated and does not match the current wayside signs! My kids still had fun filling out what they could but some kids might find it frustrating. We were able to fill out about half of this booklet. The Trail of Tears outlook and wayside signs were washed away in a flood in 2019. We visted on August 2nd; this review is of the exterior portions of the fort as the visitor's center was closed during our visit due to Covid.

K. Rita Busam

Since I have have relatives in the area I have visited this several times. The courthouse is closed right now because of water damage inside. The other parts are open. Most of the historic items are inside. The gallows and supply rooms are open. You can still become a junior ranger though.

Joseph Dundee

Visited on

Diane Isch

Wow this is a gorgeous park. The history of the federal court, jail, and Indian Territory is gripping. True Grit pervades. The National Park staff is very fun and helpful and informative. We walked the river trail and really enjoyed it with our two kids. The shade from the huge trees was nice. The Arkansas river is a feature for photos. The surrounding historic district is a must see.

Jason Eaton-Lynch

No wait

Emily

It was great fun Kids loved being locked up. LoL

James Marble

Reservation recommended

Homer Wells

Wait time

TAMRA KAY CULP

Very pretty nature area to visit. The history gives a very interesting glimpse in the past with a balance of keeping the area a beautiful green space within the city. It is something to put on the list while you are in the area, maybe a half day not a full day attraction.

David Cook

My brother and I drove a few hours here. We wanted to see something in Arkansas to cross the state off our list. This was a perfect place to come to. Very easy to find, good parking, and beautiful. You will enjoy this place. I would imagine it’s great for a picnic too.

dennis tucker

What a nice historical place to take family.

Jason McCart

No wait

Jerry Brady

Not sure

Mike McGuire

Reservation recommended

j stuber

They were closed when we were there. But cool history ...I'd recommend going!!

Lindsey Moody

$6–10

Jack Thompson

Wait time

Clara Reece

Intestering historic site to visit. The trolly is a great way to see downtown. Perfect temps in November!

Kirk Lung

Lots of history, beautiful walking trails, nice view of the river, rest stops with benches are nice. Paved walking trails all around the area have historic markers to inform the public of our past history as a border City to Indian Territory. The trails are full of gorgeous trees that show the age of our town.

colin hughes

The place is exceptionally cared for. The grounds are pristine and attractive. Every building is well maintained. And the staff! Friendly, engaging and far beyond just knowledgeable. I am so glad we made this stop part of our trip. The historical importance of this place is much more than I imagined and was both moving and satisfying..

D

Great historical experience. Most beautiful scenic Bell point with the plateau river flowing into the Arkansas River.

Diana Holmes

$16–20

Neil Noland

I learned so much of Ft Smith. First of all there was two different forts. The Old fort which was right on the bank of the Arkansas River all is left is just the footings of it was at. It also had a wall around it on the back side since the river is on the front. For some reason they abandoned this board and it was lost for many many years. The new Fort the courthouse for this district this was the largest district west of the Mississippi. They had a lot of hanging here that's why the gallows were put up and they still exist today you can listen to a recording at The gallows they talked about the Indians being hung six at a time. Judge Parker was not the hanging judge they say he said the law was what hung them.

Erin Whitney

Awesome place to appreciate the history of this place. Visitor Center is closed but Rangers have table set up outside the doors

Sarah Christopher

Visited on

Larry Clark

Free

Cody Corbin

Pretty neat except they are currently renovating the old jail/courthouse. It was cold so we couldn't stay long but would definitely visit if we could go inside.

Natasha Moore

Much frontier history to be found here. Go early this time of year as it's pretty hot out. 98* today afternoon. And wear bug spray as the Arkansas river is close by and the mosquitoes are in huge supply.

Kimberly Watson

Interesting history place.

Miri Reyes

Visited on

Zachary Root

Visited on

Megan

Reservation recommended

Amber Blakeley

Lovely lawns to walk around and imagine what the riverbanks have seen in 12K years, especially in the last 230 years!

Rose Saxon

My family visits forts on every trip and this one was very different since it wasn't largely used for war and instead to try and keep peace in the Indian territories. Learns so much about deputies, Native American culture, and the court system at the time. It also has a really nice river walk by the first fort. A couple hours can be spent here

Nina T

Our family watched True Grit and then stopped by Fort Smith on a road trip. Even though the visitor center is still closed, we learned a lot. It's also a lovely place for a picnic. We will return when the visitor center is open and are looking forward to learning even more.

Steven Douglas

Weekday

Keng Lin

Price for adult entry

JoAnne Kee

The park rangers are so nice! The large fort foundation, buildings, garden, river, and property have much for you to see. The old fort and newer forts' layouts are well marked. However, you still cannot access the old courthouse/jail building in the center of the historic site where the famous Hangin' Judge use to preside over death sentences on the 2nd floor. The renovations have been going on for a long time and seem to be far from done when I saw them in August coming in and out of the site.

Dennice Lindsay

Very interesting for a place of battle. Never new whites were slaves before blacks. Very strange. The museum was intriguing as well. My brain earned a few wrinkles. One of the last 2 cannons from the confederates army are on exhibit here! Very fun. Graphic for children in some areas.