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
Jason B
VerifiedSeptember 29, 2025 • Stayed at: 01 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
Several noisy campers past 11pm. Otherwise ok
Becky T
VerifiedJuly 25, 2025 • Stayed at: 12 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful scenery! Clean bathroom. Had a group come in long after quiet time shining spotlight in tents and just overly loud. Hiked hemmed in hollow, didn’t make it all the way but beautiful area! Went late July night temps still cool. Will go again!
Art M
VerifiedMay 31, 2025 • Stayed at: 07 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
Camped at Steel Creek and floated from Ponca to Kyle's Landing. Incredible views. The rapids were challenging but manageable.
Blair S
VerifiedMay 31, 2025 • Stayed at: 04 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
Tara was an amazing camp host and it was extremely clean and enjoyable experience.
Julie H
VerifiedMay 30, 2025 • Stayed at: 08 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
The campground is sufficient. The outdoor center in Ponca is outstanding with great sandwiches and a covered front porch with a bar and stools for eating. The Elk wildlife center was interesting. The local hiking trails were very scenic.
Elizabeth I
VerifiedMay 11, 2025 • Stayed at: 02 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
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TERRI C
VerifiedMarch 31, 2025 • Stayed at: 27 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp
Ponca had historic flood in November. Trails where still there but a lot of trees are down and lots of drift and debris. Stick pointing at you on a horse are not good. The big problem was the FAST traffic in park, rangers need to patrol a little more. Won't go back for a few yrs.
James G
VerifiedNovember 13, 2024 • Stayed at: 01 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
No cell service and no Ranger coverage nearly lead to a tragedy as the river rose rapidly on our second night. Our group, 6 guys, barely got out before being swept away at 2 am. All good, but could have been bad.
Sherman G
VerifiedNovember 3, 2024 • Stayed at: 29 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp
Great trip, camp host was very friendly.
Jim T
VerifiedNovember 1, 2024 • Stayed at: 27 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp
Please post signs on the road going through the horse camp to drive SLOWLY! Drivers speed up and down that road, which is unsafe and blew dust everywhere, during this dry fall season. Better yet, a sign restricting traffic on that road to HORSE CAMPERS ONLY.
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
