Last updated: March 21, 2026
Place
Fort Smith National Historic Site, the Trail of Tears
NPS/Michael Haynes
Quick Facts
Location:
301 Parker Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901
Significance:
Fort Smith witnessed life on the edge of Indian Territory, and the park tells its stories through the experiences of soldiers, outlaws, and lawmen.
Designation:
National Historic Site
Amenities
1 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
Fort Smith witnessed life on the edge of Indian Territory, and the park tells its stories through the experiences of soldiers, outlaws, and lawmen. For those on the Trail of Tears, it was the last point of federal land before entering Indian Territory.
The site has in-depth exhibits about Indian removal. A trail leads visitors to the Arkansas River and an overlook on the river—where the Cherokee on the water route passed just before entering Indian Territory (today’s eastern Oklahoma). Take a little time and reflect on the lives of those that passed this way.
Site Information
Location (301 Parker Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901)
Safety Considerations