The City of Fort Smith is a bird sanctuary and Fort Smith National Historic Site is an ideal place for birdwatchers. Click here for a list of seasonal, resident, and migratory birds.

Even though the park is located downtown, signs of other wildlife are common. Walking along the river trail, you can see evidence of beaver activity. Red-tailed fox squirrels make their home in the park's many walnut and oak trees. On rare occasions foxes and coyotes have been spotted in the park.

Every fall, monarch butterflies migrate through the park on their way to Mexico.