Sebastian: History, Nature and River Trails

Sebastian combines impressive river landscapes with an unusually rich history centered around Fort Smith. Anyone wanting to plan a trip with culture, nature and activity will find a wide variety of experiences here: historic buildings and museums, paved trails along the Arkansas River, fishing opportunities and expansive natural areas. When searching for a holiday apartment or holiday home, it is therefore worth deciding on your preferred travel focus first.

Discovering History along the Arkansas River

One central historic site is Belle Point. From there, you can overlook the confluence of the Arkansas River and the Poteau River. Visitors can also see the foundation remains of the first Fort Smith at Belle Point. The paved River Loop Trail begins at the main parking lot, follows the Arkansas River and runs where the first Fort Smith was built in 1817. The trail is 0.75 miles long, combining a short walking experience with a specific historic setting.

At the Fort Smith National Historic Site, you can visit Judge Parker’s restored courtroom in the visitor center. The Fort Smith Museum of History offers another way to explore the city’s history. It preserves approximately 40,000 artifacts relating to the history of Fort Smith and the surrounding region. Since 1979, the museum has been housed in the Atkinson-Williams Warehouse, a building constructed in 1906.

There is also plenty to see outside the museums. The Historic Belle Grove District covers 22 city blocks and features more than 20 architectural styles from the Victorian era. The Clayton House is an Italianate-style mansion that preserves late-19th-century architecture, its original staircase and original furnishings. The Chaffee Barbershop and Military Museum preserves and presents the history of Fort Chaffee. The site is also known as the location of Elvis Presley’s iconic military haircut. The Chaffee Crossing Historic District is a walkable historic area with original buildings from the history of Fort Chaffee.

Nature Experiences and Trails for Trip Planning

The Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center is located on 170 acres of land that previously belonged to Fort Chaffee. There are more than four miles of hiking trails, two of which meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This makes the site appealing if you want to include nature observation and activity in your daily itinerary without committing to just one type of excursion.

Visitors of all ages can fish at Wells Lake. Rental fishing rods and tackle boxes are available at the nature center’s reception desk. During the warmer months, the lake is regularly stocked with channel catfish, and in winter with rainbow trout. This allows you to enjoy a stay by the water in a different way than a museum day or a hike.

Bob Boyer Park is located in the southern part of Sebastian County in the community of Midland. The 470-acre area is predominantly heavily wooded and undeveloped. It also has a paved walking path measuring 0.5 miles, two picnic pavilions and restrooms.

Information for Your Stay

The Fort Smith Visitor Center assists with planning visits to historic attractions, outdoor activities, dining, art and family-friendly offerings. Interactive displays, curated exhibitions and immersive storytelling formats convey Fort Smith’s past and present. The Greg Smith River Trail begins at the River Park Events Building and is connected to Fort Smith Park. For a trip with varied interests, this allows you to include different themes in your personal planning without focusing exclusively on culture or nature.

As a guide to other destination pages, you can also find Columbia County, Union County, Lawrence County, Van Buren County, St. Francis County, Crawford and Sharp County. Fort Smith provides additional information about the attractions there.

For the overarching travel overview: Arkansas.