Elm Springs, Arkansas is a small town tucked just west of Springdale, between the wine-country hills of Tontitown and the edge of Springdale’s growth, spanning the Washington–Benton county line. It grew up around a large spring in the 1840s, played a quiet but real role in the Civil War, and today is a fast-growing residential community with a historic spring park at its heart. Here’s your guide to visiting Elm Springs: a little history, what’s nearby, and how to get there.
Elm Springs is mostly a bedroom community — there’s no big commercial strip — but its namesake spring, a lakeside fishing spot, and its Civil War story give a short visit some substance, and Springdale’s restaurants and attractions are just minutes away.
Things to do in Elm Springs
Steele-Stevens Heritage Park and the spring
The town is named for a large spring, and Steele-Stevens Heritage Park preserves that original water source that drew the first settlers and powered its early mills. It’s a small, quiet community park — a place to see the spring that started the town rather than a big recreation complex. Pair it with a look at the town’s Civil War marker to get the full story in one short stop.
Lake Elmdale
Just outside town, Lake Elmdale is a small lake managed for public fishing and bird-watching by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission — an easy, low-key spot to wet a line or watch for waterfowl. As with any AGFC water, an Arkansas fishing license is required for anglers; check current regulations before you go.
A quick history of Elm Springs
Settlers arrived in the 1840s and the community took its name from a large spring near the original town site; John Ingram built a water mill here in 1844, the first of several. Elm Springs became a notable spot during the Civil War: newly recruited Confederate troops gathered here in 1861, and on a bitterly cold March 5, 1862, Confederate forces camped in and around the town on their way to the Battle of Pea Ridge. It served again as a mustering site in 1862, and small skirmishes were fought nearby on April 26 and July 30, 1863. After the war the town rebuilt with stores, tradesmen, and a reopened academy, and it was formally incorporated on May 23, 1917. Growth has been rapid in recent decades as Springdale has spread west.
Where to eat, drink, and stay
Elm Springs itself is residential, so dining and lodging in town are limited — but you’re only about 10 minutes from Springdale, and the Italian restaurants and wineries of nearby Tontitown are close too. For where to eat and drink nearby, browse our sister sites NWA Food and NWA Brew, or explore our full guides to Springdale and Fayetteville.
Location & getting there
- Where: On the Washington–Benton county line, immediately west of Springdale.
- County: mostly Washington County, extending into Benton County.
- Nearby cities: about 10 minutes to Springdale and Tontitown, roughly 20 to Fayetteville.
- From the airport: roughly 20–25 minutes from Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA).
- Local landmarks: Steele-Stevens Heritage Park (the town spring) and the Civil War marker.
Get directions to Elm Springs »
Elm Springs FAQ
What is Elm Springs, Arkansas known for?
Elm Springs is known for the large spring it is named after, for its role in the Civil War as a Confederate gathering and mustering point before the Battle of Pea Ridge, and as a fast-growing residential town just west of Springdale.
What happened at Elm Springs during the Civil War?
Confederate recruits gathered at Elm Springs in 1861, and Confederate forces camped here on March 5, 1862, on their way to the Battle of Pea Ridge. The town was also a mustering site in 1862, and small skirmishes were fought nearby in 1863. A historical marker in town tells the story.
Is there anything to do in Elm Springs?
Elm Springs is small and residential, but you can visit Steele-Stevens Heritage Park around the town spring, read the Civil War marker, and fish or bird-watch at nearby Lake Elmdale. Springdale and Tontitown are only about 10 minutes away for dining and more to do.
How far is Elm Springs from Springdale?
Elm Springs is just west of Springdale, about 10 minutes away, and roughly 20 to 25 minutes from Northwest Arkansas National Airport.
Explore more of Northwest Arkansas
Elm Springs sits at the quiet edge of the region’s growth. Keep exploring with our guides to Springdale, Fayetteville, and the Northwest Arkansas outdoors, or head back to the WeKnowNWA home page to browse every town.