Outdoor Recreation
Trails
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Trails of all different types abound at Chaffee Crossing. Click here for recreation/amenity map showing trails. Paved walking trails connect residential areas to parks and museums.
FCRA and the City of Fort Smith are currently partnering to add an additional 6.5 miles of trails to connect all of Chaffee Crossing to the Fort Smith Master Trail Plan and regional trails. This $3.5 million project will run parallel to Wells Lake Road then east to the Historic District area, then back to Frontier Road. Construction of Phase I from Chad Colley to Roberts Blvd. then south parallel to Wells Lake Rd. is complete. Phase II and III are still in the design phase.
Nearby Ben Geren Park also has walking trails, playgrounds, disc golf, mini-golf, soccer, and softball fields. Click here to see the Sebastian County bike trail map that also passes through Chaffee Crossing.
Springhill Mountain Bike Park is a destination trail is located at Springhill Park, adjacent to Chaffee Crossing. Mountain bikers from all over the region come here to ride for recreation and competitively.
There are several unpaved trails across the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center property. Click here to learn more about those trails. Hiking through nature not only provides an opportunity to get some exercise but also an up-close experience with nature and wildlife. Deer, ducks, geese, indigenous birds, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, armadillos, frogs, and insects are just a few members of the animal kingdom who call Chaffee Crossing their home.
Fort Smith has several multi-use trails and sharrows around the city. The Master Trail Plan offers a comprehensive view of what the city is working to complete as funding is available. Click here to see maps of current trails through the city.
Chaffee Crossing Pickleball Complex
Two former WWII-era tennis courts have been transformed into eight pickleball courts. This is a Fort Smith public park that is open seven days a week. Courts are open first come first serve.
Monday through Saturday: Daylight to 10:00 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 10:00 p.m.
Western Arkansas Pickleball Association plays Monday, Wednesday, Thursday at 6:30 p.m. during the summer.
Deer Trails Country Club
Deer Trails Country Club is a 9-hole/18-tee box course in the naturally beautiful, park-like setting of Chaffee Crossing in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The course is open to the public seven days a week.
Deer Trails offers excellent hybrid Bermuda greens. This is a good golf course for the everyday golfer and a fair challenge for the lower handicapper. Deer Trails Golf Course hosts multiple leagues and tournaments throughout the season. Guests can enjoy lunch and dinner in the clubhouse restaurant, Links at Chaffee Crossing, specializing in smoked meats.
Features: 9-hole course with 18 tee boxes
Driving range, putting green, chipping area
Links BBQ restaurant and pro-shop
Sign up for: Men's Leagues Women's Leagues Couples' Leagues
Ask about hosting tournaments for fundraisers, church, or group activities.
The course is located at 11707 Custer Blvd., Fort Smith, AR
479-478-6971 * deertrailscc@yahoo.com
Fishing/Kayaking/Canoeing
Well-known by the locals for family-friendly fishing and canoeing, Wells Lake is located adjacent to the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, which offers canoe rentals. Wildlife abounds in the water and the surrounding woods. A walking trail circles the lake, providing plenty of opportunities to spend a full day enjoying nature.
Located on Chad Colley Boulevard south of Massard Road is Torraine Lake. In the past, locals called this Stick Lake. It is a favorite for fisherman and kayakers and features a multi-use trail that nearly circles the lake. Recent improvements include a fishing pier, covered pavilion, and paved parking lot. This Sebastian County facility is free and open to the public.
Cycling/Running
Thousands of outdoor enthusiasts utilize the roads and trails at Chaffee Crossing. Cycling groups, runners, and walkers enjoy the beautiful scenery and miles of paved roads and walking trails that connect residential areas to the many parks and museums. Adventure seekers love the miles of off-road hiking and biking trails. Each year multiple 5k runs and walks take place in Chaffee Crossing for the benefit of regional charities and organizations.
Western Arkansas Runners have a clubhouse in the Chaffee Crossing Historic District. The group hosts 5k runs and running clinics throughout the year.
Individuals and families often walk, run and ride the relatively quiet roads throughout the property, particularly in the Chaffee Crossing Historic District where streets are wide and traffic levels are low, especially in the evenings and on weekends. It's a great place for kids to learn to ride a bike and for families to exercise together.
Soccer/Softball
Sebastian County Parks owns and operates the soccer fields located in Chaffee Crossing. The two original NCAA standard fields are used for youth teams of all ages. Two new fields, a paved parking lot, and restrooms were added in 2017 to allow more tournament play.
