Discover Fort Smith

Did you know? Many of us call this area the River Valley—and that's true! But we're also part of something bigger: the Western Arkansas Mountain Frontier region - Visit West Arkansas - WAMF 🏔️

It's something a lot of locals don't even realize, let alone visitors. That's exactly why we're proud to be featured in this year's Western Arkansas Mountain Frontier Visitors Guide, now available in print and digital editions. This regional guide is a key resource for travelers, distributed at visitor centers, attractions, lodging properties, and travel outlets across the region and beyond. It showcases the destinations, experiences, and businesses that make Western Arkansas a standout place to visit — River Valley included.

📖 Explore the digital edition here: https://bit.ly/4f1DxPM

Make Fort Smith your basecamp and the whole Natural State opens up 🏔️

Set up downtown, then take an easy 1.5-hour drive east to Mount Magazine — and stand on the highest point in Arkansas at 2,753 feet. You get frontier history, a great downtown meal, and the top of the state, all from one home base.

Start at the Fort Smith Visitor Center for maps and tips, walk the Old West at the Fort Smith National Historic Site, hunt for treasures at Belle Starr Antiques, and dig into Delta-style steaks at Doe's Eat Place. Then point the car toward Paris and climb to Signal Hill for the view that makes the whole trip worth it.

Save this post for your next free weekend — and tell us who you'd bring along👇

📸 Mount Magazine photos: Arkansas Tourism Industry / Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism / Visit West Arkansas - WAMF

Good food, good weather, and a truck for every craving 🚚☀️

This is just a slice of what Fort Smith has rolling around town. 6 local favorites to get you started this season, addresses and all.

📸 Photos: The Buffalo Burger Co. , Mi Paté, Taco Landia, and Dang Sticky Rice / other photos by the Discover Fort Smith team