Fort Smith National Historic Site

Open

(23)

Call

Website

Photos

301 Parker Ave

Fort Smith, AR 72901

+1 (479) 783-3961

http://www.nps.gov

Fort Smith National Historic Site in Fort Smith, AR, offers visitors a captivating journey into the past, immersing them in the rich history of frontier life and Indian Territory. From the establishment of the first Fort Smith in 1817 to the final days of Judge Isaac C. Parker's jurisdiction in 1896, this site preserves nearly 80 years of fascinating stories, including those of soldiers, the Trail of Tears, outlaws, and lawmen.

Explore the past through various attractions such as trails, jails, courtrooms, and more, and learn about the renowned Judge Isaac C. Parker, who famously declared, "Permit no innocent man to be punished, but let no guilty man escape." With opportunities for kids to become Junior Rangers and volunteers to contribute their time and skills, Fort Smith National Historic Site offers an engaging and educational experience for all.

Generated from the website

Reviews

4.523 reviews

Lea C.

7/6/2025

Well, it's a hot day, we ended up spending a bit of time here learning about the history of Fort Smith, how integral it was into the colonization of the west, as well as their turbulent times...

Read more on Yelp

James P.

5/14/2025

Really interesting historical site. We've been to a ton of National Parks and National Monuments / Historical Sites. This is top 10 for sure! The information is presented in a fun way that...

Read more on Yelp

Erick W.

7/3/2025

This is a fabulous national park with an expensive trail system, and large open spaces to enjoy in addition to the wonderfully well maintained and historic buildings and the exhibits within each...

Read more on Yelp

Terry B.

9/1/2024

An interesting trip to see a little bit of our history. It was a beautiful day to enjoy some historic sites. We mainly wanted to see the Gallows but we spent way more time walking around reading...

Read more on Yelp

Bruce K.

4/21/2024

Before Arkansas was a state, it was part of Indian Territory (because that's what Americans do) and at this site along the Arkansas River, Fort Smith was established in 1817. The town of Fort...

Read more on Yelp

Own this business?

See a problem?

Art gallery

Hunter’s Home

"A special, unique piece of history in Cherokee Nation. My family and I love going, especially during the holidays, when the house is historically decorated to custom. Events on the farm are..."