Fort Smith National Historic Site is a National Historic Site in Arkansas, Oklahoma. This guide combines the park's official information with computed sunrise, sunset and Milky Way times, satellite climate data and 2 photo locations inside or next to the park.
Best photo spots in Fort Smith
We matched 2 named overlooks, waterfalls, peaks and other features to Fort Smith. Each has its own page with sun directions and a monthly golden hour table.
Scenic Viewpoints (2)
Scenic Viewpoint
Scenic ViewpointSunrise, sunset & golden hour
At Fort Smith the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 60° (ENE) at the June solstice and 119° (ESE) in late December. Sunset moves from 300° (WNW) in June to 242° (WSW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 78° in summer but only 31° in winter.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Sunset az. | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:27 AM | 8:05 AM | 4:51 PM | 5:29 PM | 245° | 10h 02m |
| February | 7:05 AM | 7:40 AM | 5:25 PM | 6:00 PM | 255° | 10h 55m |
| March | 7:29 AM | 8:03 AM | 6:52 PM | 7:26 PM | 268° | 11h 56m |
| April | 6:46 AM | 7:20 AM | 7:17 PM | 7:51 PM | 283° | 13h 05m |
| May | 6:14 AM | 6:50 AM | 7:40 PM | 8:16 PM | 294° | 14h 01m |
| June | 6:03 AM | 6:41 AM | 7:57 PM | 8:35 PM | 300° | 14h 32m |
| July | 6:15 AM | 6:52 AM | 7:57 PM | 8:34 PM | 297° | 14h 19m |
| August | 6:38 AM | 7:13 AM | 7:33 PM | 8:08 PM | 288° | 13h 30m |
| September | 7:01 AM | 7:35 AM | 6:53 PM | 7:26 PM | 274° | 12h 25m |
| October | 7:25 AM | 7:59 AM | 6:09 PM | 6:44 PM | 260° | 11h 19m |
| November | 6:54 AM | 7:31 AM | 4:36 PM | 5:13 PM | 248° | 10h 19m |
| December | 7:20 AM | 7:59 AM | 4:28 PM | 5:07 PM | 242° | 9h 47m |
Computed for the park's reference point (35.3883, -94.4313); large parks span several minutes of difference.
Milky Way & dark skies
From Fort Smith, the Milky Way core is visible in a dark sky from February through October. June gives the longest window (about 5.8 hours on a moonless night), and the core peaks around 26° above the southern horizon. Our light-pollution model puts the sky at about Bortle 7 (suburban / urban transition), so expect visible sky glow; drive away from towns for better results.
| Month | Core visible (15th) | Hours | Max altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| February | 5:06 AM – 5:36 AM | 0.5 | 15° |
| March | 4:11 AM – 6:01 AM | 1.8 | 22° |
| April | 2:11 AM – 5:11 AM | 3.0 | 25° |
| May | 12:16 AM – 4:26 AM | 4.2 | 26° |
| June | 10:24 PM – 4:14 AM | 5.8 | 26° |
| July | 10:19 PM – 2:49 AM | 4.5 | 26° |
| August | 9:42 PM – 12:42 AM | 3.0 | 25° |
| September | 8:53 PM – 10:43 PM | 1.8 | 22° |
| October | 8:09 PM – 8:39 PM | 0.5 | 15° |
| November | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| December | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
7 Estimated Bortle 7 — Suburban / urban transition. The whole sky has a grey-white glow; the Milky Way is invisible to the eye.
Weather & best time to visit
Fort Smith weather includes four distinct, yet temperate seasons. Spring and fall are usually mild while late summer is hot and humid. During winter months, temperatures occasionally dip into the teens. Forecast often changes dramatically due to surrounding weather influences. Arkansas's central location allows weather systems from all directions to influence its climate. The area is prone to flash flooding and river flooding in rainy seasons.
Weather overview: National Park Service.
Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show September as the clearest month (about 41% average cloud cover) and February as the cloudiest (62%). July is the warmest month and January the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.
Average cloud cover (%)
Average high (°F)
Photography permits, drones & fees
Permits. Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.
Drones. Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.
Getting there
From Interstate 40 Eastbound: Exit at Roland and drive six miles on highway 64 to downtown Fort Smith. From Interstate 40 Westbound & from North Interstate 540 & Fayetteville: Take Interstate 40 Westbound to Interstate 540 south. Exit west on Rogers Ave and continue towards downtown Fort Smith. In the downtown area: On Rogers or Garrison Ave, turn south at 4th St. Turn right onto Garland Ave. Entrance to the main parking lot is at the end of the next block. Oversize parking is available.
Directions: National Park Service.
Activities
- Guided Tours
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking
- Junior Ranger Program
- Park Film
- Museum Exhibits
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store
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