Special Notice
Lake Fort Smith State Park in western Arkansas near Mountainburg officially reopened on Wednesday, May 21, 2008. Contact the park at 479-369-2469 to make reservations. The park closed in January 2002 to be relocated to a new site due to the combining of Lake Fort Smith and Lake Shepherd Springs into a single, 1,400-acre reservoir to provide additional water storage for the Fort Smith, Arkansas, municipal water supply. Located on the western side of the enlarged lake and featuring all new construction, the new park is a showcase offering improved facilities and scenic views of the lake and the surrounding Boston Mountain Range of the Ozark Mountains from its picturesque valley setting. The park serves as a gateway to adventure in the Boston Mountains. Choose from a wide range of outdoor activities including camping, fishing, kayaking, swimming, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking and nature study.
New Directions to the Park:
The enlargement of Lake Fort Smith and subsequent relocation of Lake Fort Smith State Park is not fully up to date with online mapping services. As was the case with the park's former location, the entrance to the new park is also accessed from U.S. 71. From Mountainburg, go eight miles north on U.S. 71. For those traveling on I-540, take Exit #29 at Mountainburg. If you have questions, contact Lake Fort Smith State Park at: 479-369-2469.
Mountainburg
Lake Fort Smith State Park
To contact the park: 479-369-2469
Nestled in a scenic valley of the Boston Mountain Range of the Ozark Mountains, this state park offers outdoor adventure including camping, fishing, kayaking, swimming, mountain biking, hiking and nature study. For backpackers, the park serves as the western terminus of the 180-mile Ozark Highlands National Recreation Trail.
Reopening this year on May 21 at its new site on the western side of 1,400-acre Lake Fort Smith, this park was relocated here from its former location due to the enlarging of Lake Fort Smith and Lake Shepherd Springs into a single reservoir to provide additional water storage for the Fort Smith, Arkansas, municipal water supply.Sporting new facilities, Lake Fort Smith State Park features campsites [20 Class AAA and 10 Class B], a group lodge with great room and kitchenette that can accommodate up to 32 persons (16 in each wing), picnic sites, a pavilion, swimming pool, marina with boat rentals, double lane boat launch ramp; playground; hiking trails, and an 8,000-square-foot visitor center including an exhibit gallery, a meeting/classroom and patio featuring an outdoor wood-burning fireplace and a view towards the lake.
Park programs will be offered throughout the year by the park's interpretive staff.
For details and to make reservations visit ArkansasStateParks.com/LakeFortSmith or call the park at: 479-369-2469.
The park is located eight miles north of Mountainburg on U.S. 71, or take Exit #29 off I-540 at Mountainburg.
- Contact Information
- P.O. Box 4
Mountainburg, AR 72946
- Email: lakefortsmith@arkansas.com
- 479-369-2469
- ArkansasStateParks.com
State Parks: