Featured amenities
Pet Friendly
River Access
About Steel Creek Campground
Number of accommodations: 39
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
River Access
Water Access
- River Access
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
39 Sites Available
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Site Details
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39 Sites Available
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Reviews (126)
What Guests Are Saying
Steel Creek Campground is highly praised for its beautiful, well-maintained grounds, friendly camp hosts, and clean facilities, including spotless bathrooms. Campers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere and proximity to the Buffalo National River, making it ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and floating. While some minor issues with noise and bathroom maintenance were noted, overall experiences were overwhelmingly positive, with many guests eager to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Steel Creek Campground is highly praised for its beautiful, well-maintained grounds, friendly camp hosts, and clean facilities, including spotless bathrooms. Campers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere and proximity to the Buffalo National River, making it ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and floating. While some minor issues with noise and bathroom maintenance were noted, overall experiences were overwhelmingly positive, with many guests eager to return.
Review Summary
Danielle E
VerifiedOctober 6, 2021 • Stayed at: 02 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
Great campsite! Beautiful views of the Buffalo. Easy check-in. Quiet, well-maintained space. Bathrooms were clean. Had a cute armadillo hang out near our spot! Would stay again!
Ebed V
VerifiedOctober 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 13 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
Nice place,very clean peaceful
I will back camping again
Wesley W
VerifiedOctober 1, 2021 • Stayed at: 11 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
Steele Creek is such a great campground. With such close access to the river and the BRT, coupled with a super clear sky at night, makes for an amazing getaway. Can't wait to come back... and no cell service helps out too!
John M
VerifiedSeptember 6, 2021 • Stayed at: 11 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
Nice place.
Jessica N
VerifiedAugust 29, 2021 • Stayed at: 02 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful campground. Clean bathrooms. 10-15 minute drive to the Lost Valley and Centerpoint/ Goat trail hikes. About a 40 minute drive to the Whitaker Point trail. There is also a trailhead at the campground. The campground is on the Buffalo River, so you can use the campground as the input for a float if you come during float season (check river levels because by August, the river is too low to float on this part of the river). The town of Ponca is about 10 minutes up the road, and there are stores to rent canoes from or to buy items you forgot to pack, firewood, gas, food, or souvenirs. Lost Valley Canoe and Lodging in Ponca has WiFi you can access 24/7. They post the password in the window. The WiFi is useful because there is no cell service, and Google Maps/ Apple Maps both don’t work out here unless you get on WiFi to start the route/ have the map downloaded. At night, armadillos come out at the campground. It started raining heavily while we were here. The rain created a waterfall that was coming down off Roark Bluff behind our campsite. Sites 1-10 are reservable, and the rest of the sites are first come first serve.
brittany m
VerifiedAugust 23, 2021 • Stayed at: 10 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
The site itself was great. Near the tree line and close to the water. Not a lot of privacy but it was otherwise a nice stay.
Leland S
VerifiedAugust 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 04 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
Awesome somewhat primitive site. Clean bathroom nearby, close to river and beautiful bluff.
Jana K
VerifiedAugust 19, 2021 • Stayed at: 06 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
I was in site #6 which had fabulous shade all day! There isn't much by way of privacy between sites, but everyone was respectful. Beautiful area, great swimming holes walkable from the campground. Rangers were very helpful recommending hikes.
Jessica C
VerifiedJuly 11, 2021 • Stayed at: 07 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
Amazing. Beautiful. Peaceful. Our favorite family place!
Jessica M
VerifiedJune 23, 2021 • Stayed at: 06 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
We had an awesome time at Steel Creek! Beautiful, well-maintained campground. We rented canoes from Lost Valley and had an excellent experience. No cell service in campground or in Ponca, so plan accordingly.
Location Steel Creek Campground
Address:
386 Nc 2104
Jasper, AR, 72641
United States
From Fayetteville, Arkansas drive north and take US Highway 412 East for approximately 42 miles (67.5 km) to the intersection with State Highway 21. Take highway 21 South for approximately 17 miles (27 km) to the intersection of State Highway 43. Here, take highway 43 East for about 5 miles (8 km) to the intersection of State Highway 74. Here, turn right onto highway 74 and drive about 2 miles (3.2 km) to Steel Creek Road. Turn left and drive approximately .5 miles (.8 km) down into the campground. At the bottom of the hill the main campground will be to your left and the horse camp will be to your right.
From Little Rock, Arkansas take Interstate 40 West for approximately 93 miles (150 km) to Exit 64. At Exit 64 take Business Highway 64 west through the town of Lamar for about 4 miles (6.5 km) to the intersection of State Highway 21. Take Highway North for about 48 miles (77 km) to the intersection of State Highway 43. Here, take highway 43 East for about 5 miles (8 km) to the intersection of State Highway 74. Here, turn right onto highway 74 and drive about 2 miles (3.2 km) to Steel Creek Road. Turn left and drive approximately .5 miles (.8 km) down into the campground. At the bottom of the hill the main campground will be your left and the horse camp will be on your right.
From Springfield, Missouri take US Highway 65 South for approximately 70 miles (112.6 km) to the town of Harrison. In Harrison, take State Highway 7 South about 1 mile (1.6 km) through downtown Harrison until you come to the intersection of State Highway 43 on your right. Follow highway 43 for about 25 miles (40 km) until to get to the intersection of State Highway 74. Turn left onto highway 74 and drive about 2 miles (3.2 km) to Steel Creek Road. Turn left and drive approximately .5 miles (.8 km) down into the campground. At the bottom of the hill the main campground will be your left and the horse camp will be on your right.
Latitude & Longitude: 36.0302 / -93.3419
Elevation: 476 feet
Policies & Rules
General
- Sites 27 - 39 are our Equestrian Camping Sites only for campers with horses.
- The facility is available for camping free of charge outside of the reservation season, generally November 15th to March 15th every year.
- Climbing and/or diving from the bluffs is dangerous and highly discouraged.
- Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states.
- All park trails are closed to pets with the exception of the Buffalo River Trail, only on the section of trail between Ponca and Steel Creek, the Villines Homestead Trail at Ponca, the Mill Creek Trail (trailhead is at the Pruitt river access area in the Upper District), the Tyler Bend Campground trails (Spring Hollow, Buck Ridge, and Rock Wall in the Middle District), and all three Buffalo Point Campground trails (Forest Trail, Overlook Trail, and Campground Trail in the Lower District). For more information visit the Pets page on the park website.
- Do not swim alone during high water.
- Please be aware that some special events held at the pavilions or anywhere in the park (such as weddings, press receptions, concerts, et al) require a Special Use Permit in addition to the pavilion reservation. To obtain a Special Use Permit or additional information, please contact the Commercial Services office at (870) 365-2724. For more information visit the Special Park Uses page on the park website.
- Please be advised that providing business services within an NPS unit is prohibited per CFR 5.3 without a written Authorization or Permit approved by the Superintendent. This includes services such as RV or tent delivery & set-up, firewood sales and delivery, shuttle (transportation) services, and guided hikes, floats, etc. For a list of approved visitor services and to learn more about working with Buffalo National River, please visit the Doing Business with the Park page on the park website.
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Last updated: June 3, 2026
