Top 5 reasons why it is a fun place to visit:
- Enjoy a day at the Parrot Island Waterpark
- Visit the Fort Smith Museum of History
- Check out the Fort Smith Trolley Museum
- Try out the Fort Smith Brewing Company
- Visit the Clayton House
List of top ten RV Parks in the Fort Smith, AR area:
(Disclaimer: information is a compilation of researched info as published online and does not necessarily reflect the experience or opinion of the author)
The RV parks have been ranked and are listed from “Most Recommended” to “Least Recommended” based on reviews, feedback, amenities, and preference. Cost was not the primary ranking driver. Please note that weekend RV families with children might have different needs than full-time RV “snowbirds”.
1. Lake Fort Smith State Park
Image Source: www.arkansasstateparks.com
Phone: (479)-369-2469
Hours: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Website: www.arkansasstateparks.com
Total RV sites: 30 (20 AAA-50 Amp and 10 B-30 Amp)
Hookups: full (30 or 50, water, sewer)
Pool/Hot tub: Yes
Showers: Yes
Pets Allowed: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
This is a nice park on a lake with many different things to do on land and in water. It is a perfect place for anyone who enjoys an active outdoors life and recreation.
What makes this park unique?
Rent a kayak and explore the 1,490-acre lake or go hiking, the choice is yours! This park has an entrance to the 240-miles of trails in the Ozark Highlands Trail.
- Picnic tables
- Campfire rings
- Waterfront
- Kayak rental
- Boat rentals
- Cabins
- Dining hall
- Full-size kitchen
- Mountain biking
- Water skiing
- Stand-up paddle boarding
- None
2. Mulberry River Outdoor Adventures
Image Source: mulberryriveroutdooradventures.com
Phone: (479) 462-4961
Hours: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Website: mulberryriveroutdooradventures.com
Total RV sites: unknown
Hookups: full (30/50, water, sewer)
Pool/Hot tub: No
Showers: Yes
Pets Allowed: Yes
Wi-Fi: unknown
Mulberry River Outdoor Adventures is situated one mile North of I40 right on the Mulberry River. The sites are surrounded by nature, and there are trails for hiking and mountain-biking.
What makes this park unique?
One can float the Mulberry River or enjoy other water activities while visiting the park. There are no amenities, other than hookups.
- Location
- None
3. Devil’s Den State Park
Image Source: www.arkansasstateparks.com
Phone: (479)-761-3325
Email: [email protected]
Hours: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Website: www.arkansasstateparks.com
Total RV sites: 135 (44 class AAA, 24 class D (no hookups), 8 hike-in (no hookups) and 42 with hookups in the horse camp with bath house and access to horse trails)
Hookups: full hookups (30/50, water, sewer) to no hookups (see above)
Pool/Hot tub: No
Showers: Yes
Pets Allowed: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Although this is a sad name for such a beautiful nature park, this park is in the top 10 of local state parks due to its surroundings and tranquility.
What makes this park unique?
According to their Website, “[as a]n Arkansas icon, this special place nestled in Lee Creek Valley was selected as a state park site in the 1930s. The Civilian Conservation Corps used native materials to build the park’s rustic-style wood and stone structures that mirror the surrounding natural beauty. It now stands as one of the most intact CCC sites in the U.S., with a legacy you can see in its trails and buildings like its original cabins. Some of the park’s unique characteristics are rock formations and caverns. An impressive rock dam spans Lee Creek forming Lake Devil, an 8-acre lake for fishing and boating with canoes and pedal boats for rent. The park’s hiking, backpacking, mountain bike, and horseback riding trails lead to the surrounding Ozark National Forest.” (Source: https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/devils-den-state-park)
- Location
- Different ways to camp
- None
4. Springhill Park Campground
Image Source: www.recreation.gov
Phone: (479)-452-4598
Hours: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Website: www.santacruzredwoodsrvresort.com
Total RV sites:
Hookups: partial (30/50, water) with dump station on site
Pool/Hot tub: No
Showers: Yes
Pets Allowed: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
This campground has some of the best fishing spots in the area. You can go fishing for catfish, bream, crappie, as well as white and largemouth bass. The sauger fishing is the best in the country there. The Fort Smith Museum of History is located about 20 minutes from the park.
What makes this park unique?
According to their Website, “John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake is on the James W. Trimble Lock and Dam of the Arkansas River. Some campsites line the river while others sit between the lake and Massard Creek. Bottomland hardwood timber banks, steep bluffs and open agricultural fields create the scenery.” (Source: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232710?tab=info)
- Surroundings
- Dump station
- Playground
- Boat ramps
- Water hookups
- BBQ
- Lantern posts
- None
5. Park Ridge RV Campground
Image Source: parkridgerv.com
Phone: (479)-410-4678
Hours: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Website: parkridgerv.com
Total RV sites: unknown
Hookups: full (30/50, water, sewer)
Pool/Hot tub: No
Showers: Yes
Pets Allowed: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
As a Good Sam Club park, this park is really well-taken care of and surrounded by beautiful nature. There are many things to do either on land or in water! This is a classic laid-back RV park with something to do for anyone.
What makes this park unique?
This park is a great venue for large group gatherings, such as reunions or rallys, due to their building accommodations, as well as group rates.
- BBQ pit
- Shady sites
- Pull-throughs
- Playground
- Club house
- Cable TV
- Wood for sale
- Gift shop
- Fishing
- Propane on site
- Website asks for credit card info without posting rates
6. Fort Smith/Alma RV Park
Image Source: fortsmithalmarvpark.com
Phone: (479)-632-2704
Hours: 8 AM-6 PM
Website: fortsmithalmarvpark.com
Total RV sites: approx. 67
Hookups: full (30/50, water, sewer) or parial (electric and water only)
Pool/Hot tub: No
Showers: Yes
Pets Allowed: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
This park has been open since 1969 and has been a great spot to stop and rest on your travels or stay for a while to enjoy the area.
What makes this park unique?
There is a hiking trail to be explored, a 2-acre fishing pond (one can even feed the ducks), and this park is close to the highway (for easy on and off access), but still nice and quiet to be able to relax. The park is a gorgeous 23-acre park.
- General store
- Propane gas refill
- Dump station
- Laundry
- Meeting room
- None
7. River Ridge Campground
Image Source: www.parkadvisor.com
Phone: none
Hours: 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Website: none
Total RV sites: 18
Hookups: none
Pool/Hot tub: No
Showers: Yes
Pets Allowed: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
THis park used to be maintained by the Corps of Engineers, but it is now only maintained by local folks who pick up the trash. It’s just a nice quiet park area to dry camp for a night or a couple of days.
What makes this park unique?
This is a FREE park to stay at. There are no hookups, but one cannot beat the area and the fact that this is a free stay. This is much better than a Walmart parking lot!
- Nature
- Free!
- None
8. Clear Creek Campground
Image Source: www.swl.usace.army.mil
Phone: (479)-632-4882
Hours: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Website: www.swl.usace.army.mil
Total RV sites: 41 (25 have electric hookups)
Hookups: water and electric only or none, with dump station access
Pool/Hot tub: No
Showers: Yes
Pets Allowed: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
This is a Corps of Engineers park, with limited amenities, but nice and quiet and very affordable.
What makes this park unique?
Beautiful campground on the Arkansas river providing excellent opportunities for recreation, boating, fishing, and waterfowl viewing.
- Flush toilets
- Boat ramp
- Dump station
- Pavillion
- No full hookups
9. Overland RV Park
Image Source: campgrounds.rvlife.com
Phone: (479)-471-5474
Hours: 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Website: no specific one, but use this for booking www.bookyoursite.com
Total RV sites: 50
Hookups: full (30/50, water, sewer)
Pool/Hot tub: No
Showers: Yes
Pets Allowed: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes (ask for password)
Although this park is close to the interstate, it’s not too bad with the road noise. There is a restaurant within walking distance and the park is a no-frills stay with friendly and helpful staff.
What makes this park unique?
This park is near Walmart and restaurants. The amenities are clean and the staff is friendly. This is a great park for easy in and out access. It looks like this RV park turned it around since 2018, as the previous visitor comments were not very positive, but many visitors since 2018 commented on this park as being the best place to stay in the area.
- Laundry
- Security fence
- Gas
- Level and good-sizes pull-through sites
- Clean
- none
10. Crabtree RV Park
Image Source: www.roverpass.com
Phone: (800)-251-6816
Hours: 9:30 AM-6:00 PM
Website: none
Total RV sites: 39
Hookups: full (30 or 50, water, sewer)
Pool/Hot tub: No
Showers: Yes
Pets Allowed: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes (slow)
Minimal amenities, convenience to the RV dealership/repair only. Not much to do at the RV park, but it’s within driving distance to some of the things in the area.
What makes this park unique?
This park is really a parking lot for the RV parts, sales and servicing company, so keep that in mind when you stay there and do not have high expectations.
- Laundry
- Cheap
- gravel parking with very tight spots
- electric breakers trip in certain sites
- unresponsive management
- traffic noise
- train noise
- little shade
TIPS TO GET TO FORT SMITH
Fort Smith is located on the Oklahoma/Arkansas border, right on the I-40 going West to East or vice versa. The Arkansas River flows through the city that has several suburbs surrounding it. When traveling from the north direction to Fort Smith, the best route is to take the I-49 from Fayetteville; when coming from the South, one can travel the US-71 from Texarkana to Mena and then all the way to Fort Smith.
