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Fort Smith Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 453 Google reviews · Running trail in Fort Smith, Arkansas · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Fort Smith Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

PavedLit at nightScenicDog-friendlyRestroomsWaterTrailhead parkingQuiet

Riverside park boasting a dog park, a playground and picnic tables, plus trails.

What runners say about Fort Smith Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (453 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Boat ramp, restroom, clean, scenic”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“Head winds can off the river can be brutal but a beautiful place to get out and enjoy one of Fort Smith's best attractions.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“Decent number of people there but not crowded.”

Great dog park at the park. My dogs love sniffing and running in the dog park, as this dog park is not the biggest in town, it is also not the busiest, a relaxing time along the banks of the Arkansas river, including trails that connect to the parks downtown.

★★★★★ — Mg , Jun 2024

Beautiful scenery here. Really nice paved trail leading out of the park and continues to downtown Fort Smith. Plenty of open space and parking.

★★★★★ — Ethan , Oct 2020

Great Place for a fairly introductory level bike or hiking trail. Head winds can off the river can be brutal but a beautiful place to get out and enjoy one of Fort Smith's best attractions.

★★★★★ — Mic , Mar 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 453 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🐕 Dog-friendly 21 mentions

“Very natural, great dog parknew playground and gazebo nice to go rock hunting also”

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🏞️ Scenic views 5 mentions

“Head winds can off the river can be brutal but a beautiful place to get out and enjoy one of Fort Smith's best attractions.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 5 mentions

“Plenty of open space and parking.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 4 mentions

“Really nice paved trail leading out of the park and continues to downtown Fort Smith.”

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🚻 Restrooms 4 mentions

“Bathrooms are pretty well taken care of.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“Decent number of people there but not crowded.”

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💡 Lit for night running 2 mentions

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🚰 Water fountains

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Plan your run at Fort Smith Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitefortsmithar.gov
  • Phone+1 479-784-2368

Hours

Monday 6 am–11 pm
Tuesday 6 am–11 pm
Wednesday 6 am–11 pm
Thursday 6 am–11 pm
Friday 6 am–11 pm
Saturday 6 am–11 pm
Sunday 6 am–11 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Fort Smith Park

5301 Riverfront Dr, Fort Smith, AR 72904

Get directions

Running trails near Fort Smith

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Lee Creek Park

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Peer Park

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Park with a playground, basketball court, picnic tables, and walking trails.

2.1 miles away

Big CottonWoods Bike Trail.

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Colley Park

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Ronnie Udouj Walking Trail.

4.6 ★★★★★ 85 reviews

Fort Smith, AR

1 miPavedShadedScenic

Park offering a river, benches, walking trails, and fishing spots.

3.3 miles away

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.