A quick, honest correction before anything else: the Four States Fair & Rodeo isn’t actually a fall event — it’s held each spring, and the 81st annual fair already wrapped up back in April 2026. If you’re reading this in late summer wondering about a fall fair trip, here’s the accurate picture, along with why booking early for next spring’s fair (and any other major Texarkana event) is genuinely worth doing well ahead of time.
The Four States Fair has been a genuine Texarkana institution for more than 80 years, and it’s grown into the largest single event the region hosts — organizers report more than 100,000 visitors coming through the gates over the fair’s ten-day run. That kind of draw creates real accommodation demand across the whole Ark-La-Tex area, and understanding the fair’s actual timing and booking dynamics is worth knowing whether you’re planning specifically around it or just trying to avoid an unexpectedly busy week.
What the Four States Fair Actually Is
The Four States Fair & Rodeo runs ten days each spring at the Four States Fairgrounds, featuring carnival rides and a midway, a rodeo produced by a professional rodeo company, a demolition derby that regularly packs the grandstand, food vendors, agricultural exhibits, and live entertainment throughout the run. It’s been a springtime tradition in the region for more than eight decades, and each year draws a genuinely large regional crowd from across Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.
Gate Times and General Structure
The fair typically runs on a consistent daily schedule throughout its run, with gates opening in the late afternoon on weekdays and earlier on weekends to accommodate the bigger weekend crowds. Marquee events like the demolition derby and the rodeo’s closing weekend draw some of the fair’s largest single-day crowds, and these specific dates tend to see the heaviest regional accommodation demand.
“We get calls every year from folks who assumed the fair was a fall thing, probably because so many other regional fairs run in September and October. It’s honestly an easy mix-up. The Four States Fair has always been a spring event here — it’s just part of how Texarkana’s calendar works, different from a lot of neighboring state fairs.”
Why Booking Early Still Matters, Regardless of Season
Whether it’s the Four States Fair in spring or any other major regional draw throughout the year, the underlying booking logic is the same: an event that pulls in 100,000-plus visitors over its run creates genuine, predictable accommodation pressure across the whole Texarkana area, and RV sites specifically tend to book up well ahead of the actual dates for exactly this kind of high-draw event. Waiting until the week of a major regional event to look for a site is a real gamble, particularly for cabin-style accommodations, which have less total inventory than standard RV sites.
Applying This to Spring 2027 Planning
For RVers who want to build a spring 2027 trip specifically around the next Four States Fair, the practical move is booking well ahead of the actual April dates once they’re announced, rather than waiting until the fair is already underway to look for a site. Fair dates are typically announced by the fair association well in advance of the actual event, so checking the fair’s official channels as winter turns to spring gives you the confirmed dates to plan around.
What’s Actually Worth Planning Around This Fall
Since the Four States Fair itself isn’t a fall consideration, RVers looking at an actual autumn Texarkana stay should look to the region’s genuine fall calendar — regional festivals, sports schedules, and seasonal outdoor activities — rather than expecting fair-related demand to drive fall bookings. Fall in the Ark-La-Tex brings its own appeal regardless: cooler, more comfortable temperatures than summer’s heat, making outdoor activities and a Wright Patman Lake visit considerably more pleasant than during peak summer.
Making the Most of a Texarkana Stay Any Time of Year
Regardless of which season brings you to Texarkana, the practical booking principle stays the same: for any major regional draw, whether that’s the spring fair, a specific event, or simply a popular travel season, booking your site well ahead of your planned dates gives you meaningfully better selection than waiting until closer to arrival. For families traveling with kids at any time of year, the splash pads and pools near Texarkana RV Park guide covers nearby options worth building into a stay alongside whatever brings you to the area.
Actual timing: the Four States Fair & Rodeo is a SPRING event, not fall. 2026’s fair ran April 3-12. There is no separate fall edition.
Why the confusion happens: many neighboring regional fairs run in September/October, making the spring timing an easy assumption to get wrong.
Fair scale: 80+ year tradition, 100,000+ visitors over the 10-day run, regional draw from AR/TX/LA/OK.
Booking logic: applies year-round — high-draw regional events create real accommodation pressure across Texarkana; book well ahead, especially for cabin-style stays with less total inventory.
Planning for next fair: check the fair’s official channels as winter turns to spring for confirmed dates, then book ahead of that window.
This fall specifically: expect Ark-La-Tex’s genuine fall calendar (festivals, cooler weather, outdoor activities) rather than fair-driven demand.
For guests planning a Texarkana stay at any time of year, current rates and site information are at the RV Park Texarkana pricing page. Guests wanting the cabin option can check the cabin accommodations at RV Park Texarkana. And for booking your next Texarkana stay, whether timed around next spring’s fair or any other visit, RV Park Texarkana is the starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Four States Fair a fall or spring event?
The Four States Fair & Rodeo is a spring event in Texarkana, not a fall one. The 2026 fair ran April 3 through April 12. This is a common point of confusion since many neighboring regional fairs in other states run in September or October, but the Four States Fair has consistently been held each spring for more than 80 years as a Texarkana tradition.
When will the next Four States Fair take place?
Since the fair runs each spring, the next Four States Fair after 2026’s April 3-12 run would be expected in spring 2027, with specific dates typically announced by the fair association well ahead of the actual event. Checking the fair’s official website as winter turns to spring is the best way to find confirmed dates for the upcoming year.
How big is the Four States Fair, and does it affect Texarkana accommodation demand?
Yes, significantly. The Four States Fair is reported as the largest single event that occurs in Texarkana, drawing more than 100,000 visitors over its ten-day run from across Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. An event of this scale creates real accommodation pressure across the region during its run, making early booking a genuinely practical strategy for anyone planning a stay around the fair dates.
Should I still book my Texarkana RV site early even though the fair isn’t in the fall?
Yes, the general principle of booking ahead for high-demand periods applies regardless of season. Any major regional draw, whether that’s the spring fair or another significant event, creates genuine booking pressure across Texarkana-area accommodations, and cabin-style stays specifically have less total inventory than standard RV sites, making early booking even more important for that option specifically.
What events happen in Texarkana during the fall instead?
Since the Four States Fair itself is a spring event, fall visitors to Texarkana should look to the region’s own genuine fall calendar of regional festivals, sports schedules, and seasonal outdoor activities rather than expecting fair-related demand. Fall in the Ark-La-Tex also brings cooler, more comfortable temperatures than peak summer heat, making outdoor destinations like Wright Patman Lake considerably more pleasant to visit during this season.
What does the Four States Fair include?
The Four States Fair & Rodeo features carnival rides and a midway, a professional rodeo, a demolition derby that draws large crowds, food vendors, agricultural exhibits, and live entertainment throughout its ten-day spring run. It has been a Texarkana tradition for more than 80 years and is presented with various local sponsors each year.