River Valley: Fort Smith

The third Arkansas Game and Fish Commission nature center was built on former Fort Chaffee land in Fort Smith next to Wells Lake, a popular spot for fishing and picnics. It includes a gift shop, classroom, multipurpose room, and a wildlife workshop. There is a wheelchair-accessible trail with wayside exhibit signs highlighting the environment and history of the lake and surrounding property. A 1,200-gallon aquarium contains species relevant to the Arkansas River.