HomeArkansasFort Smith › Fort Smith Riverfront Trail

Fort Smith Riverfront Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 70 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 Riverfront Trail'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 nightScenicQuiet

Park featuring a paved trail for walking, biking, and skating, plus rentals.

What runners say about Fort Smith Riverfront Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (70 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Very clean, well manicured, tucked between downtown and the river boasting an all accessible paved trail.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 5 mentions

“If you go into the forest trails use tick spray bc boy we were covered lol didn't know it was serene through that area though.”

Nice wide paved trail, overly maintained in my opinion but a peaceful place to get some miles in.

★★★★★ — Tf , May 2024

Never been to Fort Smith? This is the place to start! Live here, and want to go on a date? This is the place to come! Have desire to exercise and ride a bike? This is the area to explore! Want to unwind and simply relax? This is the path for a walk! ...Fort Smith- Fort Smoooth!!!!!

★★★★★ — Vex , Jul 2023

Very clean, well manicured, tucked between downtown and the river boasting an all accessible paved trail. Bikes for rent for the trail/ city. Definitely consider bringing your mountain/ bmx bike, scooters, skates/ boards for the park.

★★★★★ — Brandy , Dec 2022

Such a gem for those who love long hikes and walking down the river! It was such a great surprise and discovery on my trip to Fort Smith

★★★★★ — Uliana , Nov 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 70 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.

🛣️ Paved surface 5 mentions

“We actually parked halfway in the middle by the new rv park being built and walked to the steel bridge going left on the concrete trail.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 5 mentions

“If you go into the forest trails use tick spray bc boy we were covered lol didn't know it was serene through that area though.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 4 mentions

“Beautiful walking and biking trail along the river.”

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💡 Lit for night running 3 mentions

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Plan your run at Fort Smith Riverfront Trail

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.
  • Websitefortsmithparks.com
  • Phone+1 479-784-2368

Hours

Monday 6 am–9 pm
Tuesday 6 am–9 pm
Wednesday 6 am–9 pm
Thursday 6 am–9 pm
Friday 6 am–9 pm
Saturday 6 am–9 pm
Sunday 6 am–9 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 Riverfront Trail

Fort Smith, Arkansas

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.

Harry E. Kelley River Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 753 reviews

Fort Smith, AR

Scenic

Recreational park on the river featuring an outdoor amphitheater, picnic tables, trails & fishing.

under a mile away

Big CottonWoods Bike Trail.

4.8 ★★★★★ 5 reviews

Fort Smith, AR

1.1 miles away

Ruth Armstrong Nature Area

4.3 ★★★★☆ 32 reviews

Fort Smith, AR

2.3 miles away

Creekmore Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 1,417 reviews

Fort Smith, AR

LitScenic

2.4 miles away

Fort Smith Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 453 reviews

Fort Smith, AR

PavedLitScenicDog-friendly

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

4.0 miles away

Ronnie Udouj Walking Trail.

4.6 ★★★★★ 85 reviews

Fort Smith, AR

1 miPavedShadedScenic

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

4.1 miles away

All running trails in Fort Smith, AR →

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.