Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground sits at an elevation of approximately 1,300 feet in the Boston Mountains, offering seasonal camping conditions that vary from mild summers to occasionally snowy winters. The park serves as the western terminus of the Ozark Highlands Trail and provides direct access to John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake, a 1,400-acre reservoir known for its bass and catfish populations. Temperatures typically range 5-10 degrees cooler at higher elevations compared to surrounding lowlands.
What to do
Hiking trails of varying difficulty: The area surrounding Lake Fort Smith contains numerous trails ranging from beginner to advanced. Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground offers access to several routes directly from campsites. "The Ozark Highland Trail is directly behind the campsites on the lake side," notes Ryan S., while another camper mentions that "The hiking trails were right out of our campsite. Clean sites. Great tent pads."
Off-road adventures: The region offers extensive trail systems for ATV and 4x4 enthusiasts. Byrd's Adventure Center maintains private trails while providing access to nearby national forest routes. A visitor explains, "They not only have their own trails on private land, but off-roaders can hit trails in National Forest territory not too far down the road. Good place for vehicles that need to hook up or primitive."
Mountain fishing opportunities: Several area lakes offer fishing for multiple species. As one camper at White Rock Mountain Recreation Area observed, "The area is great for getaways, off-roading, or overloading." Cove Lake Complex offers boat rentals directly on site, with a camper noting "Boating, fishing, swimming, cabins available, lots of trails to hike. Just minutes from Mt Magazine and the town of Paris."
What campers like
Year-round accessibility: The mountainous terrain around John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake creates different camping experiences each season. A camper at Mount Magazine State Park Campground shared, "Mount Magazine boasts as one of the top spots for fall foliage. Our visit was in late August so something we will have to come back for, but with the many species of trees I have no doubt it would be beautiful."
Secluded glamping near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake: For those seeking luxury camping options, several campgrounds offer premium accommodations. "The cabins are very comfortable and clean. The campground is very clean and beautiful. The hiking trails are for everyone," reports a visitor to Queen Wilhelmina State Park. Mount Magazine offers similar upscale options with a visitor noting, "Magazine Mountain is the highest peak in Arkansas at 2,753 feet. Mount Magazine SP sits at the top of Magazine Mountain."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain exceptionally clean shower and restroom facilities. A visitor to Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA commented, "Restrooms clean and nice showers. The staff was kind, cheerful and very helpful." Another camper at Mount Magazine State Park shared, "The restrooms/showers are a 4.5 out of 5 for state park facilities."
What you should know
Mountain road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires driving on steep, winding roads. At Cove Lake Complex, a camper cautioned about Lake Fort Smith, "Not really a place for a quick overnight, the road in is steep and crooked." Similarly, at White Rock Mountain, a visitor advised, "It's a slow, beautiful drive. The reviews are correct that the last hour of the drive is only 20 miles. Make sure to stop for gas!"
Limited tent sites at some locations: Several campgrounds have fewer dedicated tent sites than RV spots. At Queen Wilhelmina State Park, a visitor noted, "We asked if a 15amp site for tent camping was available but they had to move us after determining that they didn't give us a site with a pad. There aren't many tent sites at all, especially with electric/water and only 5 primitive and 1 walk-in."
Swimming restrictions: Not all lakes allow swimming. One visitor to Lake Fort Smith State Park mentioned, "You are not allowed to swim in the lake, but there is a pool." This is common at several reservoirs in the area where designated swimming areas or pools are provided instead of open-water swimming.
Tips for camping with families
Age-appropriate glamping options around John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake: Some campgrounds are better suited for different age groups. As one camper at Queen Wilhelmina State Park explained, "Limited activities for younger children, but we enjoyed the hiking trails. We also went on to Mena for a day and rented UTVs at Wolf Pen Gap."
Consider campsite layouts: Some sites have terrain features that may present challenges for young children. A visitor to Lake Fort Smith State Park warned, "Many of the campsites are on a grade. They all have multiple levels with stairs and have no railings. We had 5 children <6 years of age and the sites were somewhat perilous. If you are a parent with small kids, sites 17-20 and sites 2-3 are better."
Choose campgrounds with recreational amenities: Facilities with pools, playgrounds, and other activities help keep children entertained. A visitor to Byrd's Adventure Center shared, "I love this campground!! It has everything. There is great campsites, as well as a little corner store, water front, restaurant, hook-ups, really everything you need."
Tips from RVers
Level site selection: Many campgrounds in the mountainous terrain feature uneven sites. A visitor to Dan's Riverview RV Park appreciated that "All brand new. Restrooms and showers are clean and beautiful. Full Hook Up's, firepits, and lights are great." At Lake Fort Smith, an RVer advised, "If you need sewer service, I would recommend site #11 as the most level pull-through site, although there's not a bad site in the park."
Off-season advantages: Visiting during non-peak times provides more privacy and space. A winter visitor to Lake Fort Smith State Park shared, "We had a break in the winter weather this week and took three days to explore the trails around Lake Ft. Smith. As only one of four campers, we had the place to ourselves save the park keepers making their rounds."
Full-hookup locations: For RVers requiring full services, several campgrounds offer complete utilities. A camper at Lake Fort Smith noted, "Very Spacious sites with full hook-ups. Well maintained with spotless bathrooms and a great pool area. Lots of hiking opportunities as well as small boat use and paddle boards."
