Arkansas road trip: Lake Fort Smith to Little Rock

Explore Arkansas's natural landscapes across a 3,993 km route spanning lakes, rivers, and state parks. Travel from Lake Fort Smith State Park through Beaver Lake and the Ozark National Forest to Little Rock, visiting iconic sites including Devils Den State Park, the White River, and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

Distance
3993.3 km
Mode
route
Start
Welcome to Arkansas
End
Lake Thunderbird
Stops
29
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Welcome to Arkansas
  2. Lake Fort Smith State Park — Modern state park opened May 21, 2008, built above the original submerged park facility.
  3. Lake Sequoyah — Scenic reservoir offering fishing, boating, and lakeside recreation amid forested shores and peaceful mountain views.
  4. Lee Creek — 64-mile creek winding through northwest Arkansas forests and limestone valleys, beginning near West Fork.
  5. Beaver Lake — One of Arkansas's most scenic lake destinations.
  6. Point Remove Wildlife Area — Wetland restoration project in the Arkansas River Valley with 15 impoundments including Reml Marsh.
  7. Cedar Flats — Historic woodland in steep Boston Mountains terrain, preserved from early-1900s logging.
  8. Devils Den State Park
  9. Ozark National Forest — National forest preserving historic watershed and mountain terrain.
  10. Bell Slough State Wildlife Management Area — Protected wetland habitat supporting diverse waterfowl and wildlife species, ideal for birdwatching and nature observation.
  11. Arkansas State Capitol — State capital building in Little Rock.
  12. Illinois River — River system bordering Arkansas region.
  13. White River — Major river in Arkansas.
  14. Memphis-Arkansas Bridge — Historic infrastructure spanning the Mississippi River, connecting Tennessee and Arkansas while serving as vital regional transportation link.
  15. Harahan Bridge — Historic bridge built 1916 with cantilevered roadways for cars and center rail for trains.
  16. Dardanelle Farmland — Agricultural heartland showcasing rolling fields and rural character that defines Arkansas's farming heritage and landscape.
  17. Lake Swepco — Expansive reservoir providing water recreation, fishing opportunities, and scenic waterfront views throughout the region.
  18. Little Rock — State capital featuring museums, cultural institutions, and historic sites documenting Arkansas's pivotal role in American history.
  19. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art — Major art museum in Bentonville.
  20. Combs Park — Natural park offering hiking trails, picnic areas, and access to scenic landscapes and outdoor recreational activities.
  21. Mount Sequoyah — Elevated landmark in Fayetteville area.
  22. Washington County Courthouse — Historic civic building reflecting 19th-century architecture and serving as cultural landmark in the county seat.
  23. Siloam Springs — Mountain town known for natural springs, outdoor recreation, and proximity to scenic Ozark plateau landscapes.
  24. Buffalo National River — Protected national river in northern Arkansas.
  25. Fayetteville National Cemetery — Historic burial ground honoring military service members, set within landscaped grounds reflecting national heritage.
  26. Norfork River — River system in Arkansas.
  27. Mount Magazine State Park — State park featuring Arkansas's highest peak.
  28. Hernando de Soto Bridge — Modern infrastructure crossing the Arkansas River, providing vital transportation connectivity across the state's major waterway.
  29. Lake Thunderbird — Connected to Lake Sequoia via navigable channel for extended boating trips.

Useful for your trip

Where to stay
Lake Fort Smith State Park offers 30 campsites, 10 rental cabins, and a lodge accommodating up to 32 guests with a visitors center and lakeside pavilion.
Tip
Lake Sequoyah is spring-fed with clear waters, stocked with catfish, largemouth bass, and crappie. Boating and fishing activities require permits and have speed limits.
Transport
Lake Sequoyah connects to Lake Thunderbird through a navigable channel, allowing extended boating trips across multiple lakes in the Cherokee Village community.
Tip
Lee Creek Trail allows visitors to discover fossils embedded in rocks and features coal seams and unique geological formations in limestone terrain.
Avoid
Avoid Lee Creek's low-lying areas during rainy seasons for safety reasons as the creek swells significantly.
Tip
Beaver Lake stretches 73 miles with nearly 500 miles of shoreline, offering boating, swimming, camping, fishing, and hiking around 12 parks managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Timing
Point Remove Wildlife Area's wetland flooding is timed with fall migration to create food-rich habitat for ducks and geese during peak seasons.
Tip
Cedar Flats features old-growth forests with some trees over a century old and traceable wagon trails from settler times in the 1840s-1850s.
Tip
Lake Sequoyah is located 140 miles from Branson Missouri, Little Rock Arkansas, and Memphis Tennessee, making it an accessible getaway with a 2-mile shoreline.

Video on this route

ARKANSAS: The Hidden Side of America’s Wilderness | Travel Video 4K

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