- Beach Camping
The best beach camping near Fort Smith
Top-rated campgrounds near Fort Smith
John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake
1. John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake
100%
(3)
Park 133mi from Fort Smith · 47 sites
Not to be confused with John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt, John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake extends 26 miles along the Arkansas River in both Arkansas and Oklahoma. Its shoreline is characterized by bottomland hardwood timber banks, steep bluffs, open fields, and urban developments.
There are oodles of recreational opportunities among four smaller parks, most notably fishing. The fertile waters harbor all kinds of fish native to the state, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission stocks the lake with striped sea bass and sauger. Year round catch includes catfish, bream, crappie, white and largemouth bass. Multi-purpose trails are also a popular activity.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires
Ozark Lake
2. Ozark Lake
87%
(5)
Park 19mi from Fort Smith · 102 sites
Discover the serene beauty of Ozark Lake and its myriad outdoor activities.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires
Arkansas River - Robert S. Kerr Pool
3. Arkansas River - Robert S. Kerr Pool
Park 23mi from Fort Smith · 94 sites
Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam is known for its fishing and swimming beaches. Anglers will be excited about the abundance of bass, crappie, catfish, walleye, and sunfish. Yum! There are also three swimming beaches here, so bring your swimsuit and sunscreen. Got a boat? Bring it! Launch your sailboat, motorboat, or kayak on the refreshing waters and check out the great surrounding views of spring flowers or fall foliage. There’s a short hiking trail in the park if you want to wander around a bit. This park is ideal for campers seeking a quiet, relaxing getaway on the water.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Lake Fort Smith State Park
4. Lake Fort Smith State Park
100%
(4)
State park 28mi from Fort Smith · 40 sites
Discover the serene beauty of Lake Fort Smith State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Brushy Lake State Park
5. Brushy Lake State Park
State park 107mi from Fort Smith · 14 sites
Discover the serene beauty of Brushy Lake State Park.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Devil's Den State Park
6. Devil's Den State Park
100%
(27)
State park 31mi from Fort Smith · 161 sites
Hike past ancient rock formations or take a pedalboat out on the lake.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
7. Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
98%
(37)
National forest 51mi from Fort Smith · 312 sites
Two distinct forests rolled into one package! That means twice the amount of outdoorsy goodness to explore. The Ozark National Forest covers most of the Ozark Mountains, including the highest peak in the state. It’s awesome here when the dogwood and redbuds bloom in the spring, and when the leaves change color in the fall. The St. Francis National Forest is more diverse, with the St. Francis and Mississippi Rivers running through it, as well as lakes, valleys, and tons of wildlife. It’s the only place in the national forest system where you can access the Mississippi River from the shore, so that right there is a must do! The whole expanse of land is filled with multi-use trails, hundreds of campsites, spots for swimming, fishing, and boating, and even some amazing caves to explore. Mother Nature crushing it as usual.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Ouachita National Forest
8. Ouachita National Forest
96%
(25)
National forest 67mi from Fort Smith · 342 sites
The Ouachita mountains may become your new go-to for hiking, fishing, and camping in Arkansas.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Wister Lake State Park
9. Wister Lake State Park
100%
(1)
State park 37mi from Fort Smith · 153 sites
Discover the natural splendor of Lake Wister State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Tenkiller Ferry Lake
10. Tenkiller Ferry Lake
50%
(7)
Park 41mi from Fort Smith · 550 sites
Named for the prominent Cherokee family who owned the land and ferry, Tenkiller Ferry Lake is steeped in history and picturesque views. With the clearest body of water in Oklahoma, the lake offers abundant water activities: fishing, scuba diving, jet-skiing, sailing, the list goes on so be prepared to get wet! Be sure to check out the floating restaurant too! Farm to table? More like lake to table. Off the lake, explore the rocky bluffs and lush vegetation. Get a nice view of the water from the shore, and have your breath taken away with the spectacular sunsets. Tenkiller Ferry Lake is sure to become an annual trip.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Top-rated campgrounds near Fort Smith
John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake
1. John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake
100%
(3)
Park 133mi from Fort Smith · 47 sites
Not to be confused with John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt, John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake extends 26 miles along the Arkansas River in both Arkansas and Oklahoma. Its shoreline is characterized by bottomland hardwood timber banks, steep bluffs, open fields, and urban developments.
There are oodles of recreational opportunities among four smaller parks, most notably fishing. The fertile waters harbor all kinds of fish native to the state, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission stocks the lake with striped sea bass and sauger. Year round catch includes catfish, bream, crappie, white and largemouth bass. Multi-purpose trails are also a popular activity.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires
Ozark Lake
2. Ozark Lake
87%
(5)
Park 19mi from Fort Smith · 102 sites
Discover the serene beauty of Ozark Lake and its myriad outdoor activities.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires
Arkansas River - Robert S. Kerr Pool
3. Arkansas River - Robert S. Kerr Pool
Park 23mi from Fort Smith · 94 sites
Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam is known for its fishing and swimming beaches. Anglers will be excited about the abundance of bass, crappie, catfish, walleye, and sunfish. Yum! There are also three swimming beaches here, so bring your swimsuit and sunscreen. Got a boat? Bring it! Launch your sailboat, motorboat, or kayak on the refreshing waters and check out the great surrounding views of spring flowers or fall foliage. There’s a short hiking trail in the park if you want to wander around a bit. This park is ideal for campers seeking a quiet, relaxing getaway on the water.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Lake Fort Smith State Park
4. Lake Fort Smith State Park
100%
(4)
State park 28mi from Fort Smith · 40 sites
Discover the serene beauty of Lake Fort Smith State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Brushy Lake State Park
5. Brushy Lake State Park
State park 107mi from Fort Smith · 14 sites
Discover the serene beauty of Brushy Lake State Park.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Devil's Den State Park
6. Devil's Den State Park
100%
(27)
State park 31mi from Fort Smith · 161 sites
Hike past ancient rock formations or take a pedalboat out on the lake.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
7. Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
98%
(37)
National forest 51mi from Fort Smith · 312 sites
Two distinct forests rolled into one package! That means twice the amount of outdoorsy goodness to explore. The Ozark National Forest covers most of the Ozark Mountains, including the highest peak in the state. It’s awesome here when the dogwood and redbuds bloom in the spring, and when the leaves change color in the fall. The St. Francis National Forest is more diverse, with the St. Francis and Mississippi Rivers running through it, as well as lakes, valleys, and tons of wildlife. It’s the only place in the national forest system where you can access the Mississippi River from the shore, so that right there is a must do! The whole expanse of land is filled with multi-use trails, hundreds of campsites, spots for swimming, fishing, and boating, and even some amazing caves to explore. Mother Nature crushing it as usual.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Ouachita National Forest
8. Ouachita National Forest
96%
(25)
National forest 67mi from Fort Smith · 342 sites
The Ouachita mountains may become your new go-to for hiking, fishing, and camping in Arkansas.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Wister Lake State Park
9. Wister Lake State Park
100%
(1)
State park 37mi from Fort Smith · 153 sites
Discover the natural splendor of Lake Wister State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Tenkiller Ferry Lake
10. Tenkiller Ferry Lake
50%
(7)
Park 41mi from Fort Smith · 550 sites
Named for the prominent Cherokee family who owned the land and ferry, Tenkiller Ferry Lake is steeped in history and picturesque views. With the clearest body of water in Oklahoma, the lake offers abundant water activities: fishing, scuba diving, jet-skiing, sailing, the list goes on so be prepared to get wet! Be sure to check out the floating restaurant too! Farm to table? More like lake to table. Off the lake, explore the rocky bluffs and lush vegetation. Get a nice view of the water from the shore, and have your breath taken away with the spectacular sunsets. Tenkiller Ferry Lake is sure to become an annual trip.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
