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Fort Smith, Arkansas: Travel Information

FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS

Fort Smith is located in northwest Arkansas and borders Oklahoma. It is the county seat of Sebastian County. The city has a population of 80,286 which makes it the second largest city in Arkansas behind Little Rock. It is located in the River Valley of Arkansas between the Ouachita mountains in the south and the Boston and Ozark mountains of the north and a gateway city to the Ozarks.

In 1817 Fort Smith was established as a military fort next to Indian territory in Oklahoma. It is located at the junction of the Arkansas river and the Poteau river at a place that early French explorers called Belle Point. This location was a good place to build a fort guarding the wilderness to the west and the Indian territory of Oklahoma.

TRANSPORTATION

By Air:
Fort Smith Regional Airport (IATA: FSM) has service by American Eagle from Dallas/Fort Worth, and Delta Connection from Memphis.

Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (IATA: XNA) located near Bentonville, is about an hour and a half from Fort Smith.
Tulsa International Airport (IATA: TUL) (in Oklahoma) and Little Rock International Airport (IATA: LIT) are both about a two-hour drive away.

By Train:
Fort Smith itself does not have passenger rail service. The nearest cities with Amtrak stations are Oklahoma City, which is the northern terminus of the Heartland Flyer to Fort Worth; and Little Rock, which is served by the Texas Eagle San Antonio - Chicago route.

By Car:
Fort Smith is located at the intersection of Interstate 40, Interstate 540, and US Route 71.

By Bus:
The Jefferson Lines services the city with bus service to the east, west and north.

WEATHER

The weather in October is pleasant with an average high of 86ºF and an average low of 69 ºF, with approximately two inches of rain during the month.

APPROPRIATE DRESS:

Dress for the conference sessions is business casual.

NEARBY AREAS OF INTEREST

• Fort Smith Historic Attractions
• Fort Smith Area Indian Casinos
• Fort Smith Family Entertainment
• Arkansas Wine Country
• Fort Smith Parks & Recreation
• Fort Smith Theater, Arts & Culture
• Fort Smith Golf
• Fort Smith Spas
• Fort Smith Shopping
• Fort Smith Calendar of Events
• Fort Smith Restaurants

Devils Den State Park: 11333 W Highway 74, West Fork, AR 72774-9666 Tel: (479) 761-3325
Devil's Den State Park is a 2500 acre Arkansas state park in Washington County, near West Fork, Arkansas in the United States. The park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps beginning in 1933. Devil's Den State Park is in the Lee Creek Valley in the Boston Mountains which are the southwestern part of The Ozarks. The park, with an 8 acre CCC built lake, is open for year round recreation

Fort Smith Trolley Museum
100 South 4th Street, Fort Smith, AR 3.0 mi N
Tel: (479) 783-0205

The Fort Smith Trolley Museum is a railroad museum in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Located at 100 South 4th Street, the museum collection includes four streetcars which operated in municipal service in Fort Smith, an open streetcar, as well as a Frisco steam locomotive. The museum also operates a heritage railroad and runs excursions in the Fort Smith National Historic Site using a Birney streetcar.

Long Lake Resort
35740 U.S. 59, Poteau, OK 26 mi SW
Tel: (918) 647-8140
www.longlakeresort.com 

Eureka Springs only 2-1/2 hours of Ozarks driving from Fort Smith. Take the guided tram tour of the historic area. Visit Christ of the Ozarks monument and Passion Play grounds. Enjoy the Little Switzerland of the Ozarks.

Hot Springs Visit the national park and Oaklawn Park horse racing. Enjoy a thermal bath in the bath house of your choice.

 

Garrison Avenue - Fort Smith, AR	Courthouse at Fort Smith National Historic Site
The Forth Smith Trolley Museum	Forth Smith State Library

FUN FACTS ABOUT ARKANSAS