Explore life on the edge of frontier and Indian Territory through the stories
of soldiers, the Trail of Tears, scandals, outlaws, and lawmen who pursued
them. From the establishment of the first Fort Smith on December 25, 1817, to
the final days of Judge Isaac C. Parker's jurisdiction over Indian Territory
in 1896, Fort Smith National Historic Site preserves almost 80 years of
history.

Explore life on the edge of frontier and Indian Territory through the stories of soldiers, the Trail of Tears, scandals, outlaws, and lawmen who pursued them. 

From the establishment of the first Fort Smith on December 25, 1817, to the final days of Judge Isaac C. Parker's jurisdiction over Indian Territory in 1896, Fort Smith National Historic Site preserves almost 80 years of history.

Bird's eye view of the park

Fort Smith National Historic Site

John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake extends 26 miles along the Arkansas River, about
half in Arkansas and half in Oklahoma. The shoreline offers a variety of
terrain that includes bottomland hardwood timber banks, steep bluffs, open
agricultural fields, and urban developments. Outdoor recreational
opportunities exists at four parks. Modern park amenities include boat
launching ramps, drinking water, camp sites, picnic sites, playgrounds, and
trails.

John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake extends 26 miles along the Arkansas River, about half in Arkansas and half in Oklahoma. The shoreline offers a variety of terrain that includes bottomland hardwood timber banks, steep bluffs, open agricultural fields, and urban developments. Outdoor recreational opportunities exists at four parks. Modern park amenities include boat launching ramps, drinking water, camp sites, picnic sites, playgrounds, and trails.

## Overview

Download a Springhill park map HERE

Springhill Park sits along John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake in the lush, rolling
hills of Arkansas. Campers come here for boating, birding and relaxing.  
  
Avid mountain bikers enjoy the Springhill Park Mountain Bike Trail, a 10-mile
"fast" trail where experienced bikers race frequently. The trail is also a
designated National Recreation Trail.

## Recreation

Year-round fishing for catfish, bream, crappie and white and largemouth bass
is fantastic in the fertile waters of the Arkansas. From late fall until early
spring, the tailwaters immediately below the lock and dam boasts some of the
best sauger fishing in the country.

## Facilities

Year-round fishing for catfish, bream, crappie and white and largemouth bass
is fantastic in the fertile waters of the Arkansas. From late fall until early
spring, the tailwaters immediately below the lock and dam boasts some of the
best sauger fishing in the country.

## Natural Features

John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake is on the James W. Trimble Lock and Dam of the
Arkansas River. Some campsites line the river while others sit between the
lake and Massard Creek.  
  
Bottomland hardwood timber banks, steep bluffs and open agricultural fields
create the scenery.

## Nearby Attractions

The Fort Smith Museum of History is located about 20 minutes away.

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>Download a Springhill park map <a href="https://cdn.recreation.gov/public/2021/07/14/18/11/232710_7158bb20-1517-4e7e-beea-a74ebd713384.pdf" rel="nofollow">HERE</a> </p>
<p>Springhill Park sits along John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake in the lush, rolling hills of Arkansas. Campers come here for boating, birding and relaxing.<br><br>Avid mountain bikers enjoy the Springhill Park Mountain Bike Trail, a 10-mile "fast" trail where experienced bikers race frequently. The trail is also a designated National Recreation Trail.</p>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
Year-round fishing for catfish, bream, crappie and white and largemouth bass is fantastic in the fertile waters of the Arkansas. From late fall until early spring, the tailwaters immediately below the lock and dam boasts some of the best sauger fishing in the country.<h2>Facilities</h2>
Year-round fishing for catfish, bream, crappie and white and largemouth bass is fantastic in the fertile waters of the Arkansas. From late fall until early spring, the tailwaters immediately below the lock and dam boasts some of the best sauger fishing in the country.<h2>Natural Features</h2>
John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake is on the James W. Trimble Lock and Dam of the Arkansas River. Some campsites line the river while others sit between the lake and Massard Creek.  
<br/><br/>
Bottomland hardwood timber banks, steep bluffs and open agricultural fields create the scenery.
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
The Fort Smith Museum of History is located about 20 minutes away.

Fort Smith National Historic Site

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake

Arkansas River - W.D. Mayo Pool