Major city · United States
AlmaAlma, Arkansas
Skip unless you need a quick I-40 stop for gas or a swim. Half a day covers the Aquatic Center and a walk through town; no reason to stay overnight.
Alma is a small town on Interstate 40 in the Arkansas River Valley, known as the Spinach Capital of the World. It has a public water park and a few local eateries, but no major sights. Most travellers pass through on the way to Fort Smith or Fayetteville.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, pool closed)
- Airports
- FSM · XNA
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Alma911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Alma, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportFSM Fort Smith Regional Airport (About 20 min south via I-49; limited flights.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Sit-down mealLunch at a diner$8–12
- BeerBeer at a bar$4–6
- Museum or sight ticketAquatic Center entry (adult)$8 (check)
- Budget bedChain motel double room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedChain motel double room, a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedChain motel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$100 · High US$180
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FSM Fort Smith Regional Airport (About 20 min south via I-49; limited flights.) · XNA Northwest Arkansas National Airport (Fayetteville) (About 45 min north via I-49; more connections.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Aug (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Alma: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. The town is small enough to walk across, but the Aquatic Center and motels are spread along the highway.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 20 min
I-49 south, about 20 min
Historic downtown, Fort Smith National Historic Site, and the Arkansas River trail.
Door to door: 10 min
I-40 west, about 10 min
Antique shops and the Van Buren Historic District.
Door to door: 25 min
I-40 west then AR-186, about 20 min
Wine country; several vineyards with tasting rooms.
Ozark
goDoor to door: 15 min
I-40 east, about 15 min
Small town with a historic square.
Clarksville
goDoor to door: 25 min
I-40 east, about 25 min
Home to the University of the Ozarks and a historic downtown.
Door to door: 35 min
I-40 east, about 35 min
Larger town with Lake Dardanelle and Mount Nebo State Park.
Greenwood
goDoor to door: 30 min
I-49 south then AR-10, about 30 min
Small town with a historic downtown square.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Along I-40 (motels)
Chain motels near the interstate; fine for a night's sleep.
Downtown Alma
A few local inns and B&Bs; quieter.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–140 excl. bed
- High
- $140+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain motel double room1 × 1 night × US$100 | US$100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Aquatic Center entry (adult)2 × US$8 · check | US$16 |
| Gas for a day of driving (about 100 km)1 × US$15 | US$15 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$33 |
| Trip total≈ US$182 per person per day, bed included | US$364 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Lunch at a diner | $8–12 |
| Dinner at a local restaurant | $12–20 |
| Beer at a bar | $4–6 |
| Aquatic Center entry (adult) | $8 (check) |
| Motel room (double) | $70–150 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Aquatic Center is seasonal (summer only); check hours before going.
- No public transport; rideshare may be scarce.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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AlmaAlma, Arkansas
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulate in Alma. The nearest major consulates are in Dallas or Houston.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- I-40 east to Ozark: about 15 min
- I-49 south to Fort Smith: about 20 min
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Alma. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, pool closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the Aquatic Center and local diners with verified hours.
- Walking cluster: downtown Alma (a few blocks) and the Aquatic Center (1.5 km north).
- Seasonal closure fixture for the water park.
Sources
Ask about Alma
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