Steel Creek Campground

View of the Steel Creek area from the Buffalo River Trail
Colorful tents seen on the green grass of Steel Creek Campground. Green trees and a gray bluff line can be seen in the background.
Steel Creek Campground-4
A dirt road can be seen on the right side of the photo with green grass and campsites on the left side.
Steel Creek Horse Camp-1

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
River Access River Access

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

39 total sites

Tent Sites

26 sites

About Steel Creek Campground

Steel Creek Campground is situated along the Buffalo River under the towering and picturesque Roark Bluff. One section of the campground offers 26 walk-in tent sites and another section of the campground offers 14 sites for those camping with horses. Half of the sites in the campground are available for reservations. Steel Creek is located about 3 miles (5 km) east of Ponca, just off Highway 74.

Number of accommodations: 39

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Horseback Riding

Horseback Riding

Year-round

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Mar 13 to Nov 15

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
River Access River Access
Water Access

Water Access

  • River Access
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

39 Sites Available

Site
Price
01 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
02 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
03 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
04 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
05 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
06 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
07 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
08 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
09 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
10 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
11 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
12 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
13 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
14 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
15 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
16 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
17 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
18 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
19 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
20 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
21 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
22 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
23 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
24 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
25 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
26 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏕️ 27 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏕️ 28 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏕️ 29 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏕️ 30 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏕️ 31 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏕️ 32 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏕️ 33 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏕️ 34 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏕️ 35 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏕️ 36 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏕️ 37 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏕️ 38 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏕️ 39 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available

Reviews (151)

What Guests Are Saying

Steel Creek Campground offers a beautiful and well-maintained location along the Buffalo River, known for its clean facilities and friendly camp hosts. Visitors appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, scenic trails, and wildlife encounters, making it a popular spot for both families and individual campers. While some experience issues with nearby noise and wildlife disruptions, the overall camping experience is highly praised, emphasizing the campground's charm and natural beauty.

Review Summary

4.5
151 reviews
5
73.5%
111
4
15.9%
24
3
4.0%
6
2
2.6%
4
1
4.0%
6

Steven W

Verified

May 11, 2026 Stayed at: 31 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp

4

Great stay, beautiful!!

Trudy B

Verified

May 9, 2026 Stayed at: 03 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

Nice place to camp

Michael H

Verified

May 8, 2026 Stayed at: 10 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

Perfect location by the river. Very clean and well taken care off. The campsites are far enough apart to not feel crowded with a bunch of tents. Will definitely camp there again.

Maria C

Verified

May 7, 2026 Stayed at: 25 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

Awesome campground and campsite!!! Beautiful!!!

Dustin E

Verified

May 5, 2026 Stayed at: 15 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

Our stay at Steele creek was an amazing time we did the hike to big bluff (highly recommend) as well as twin/triple falls both were phenomenal and we had a great time over all the bathrooms were clean and while we were there we met new people from all over the United States and even shared a meal with some strangers which was one of my favorite parts of the trip! Over all I will def be back to this national park!
the part ranger Paul and his side kick liberty(golden retriever) were so sweet to us while we were there!

William R

Verified

April 27, 2026 Stayed at: 11 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

4

Lovely spot, well kept. Very helpful and friendly camp host.

Teri S

Verified

April 22, 2026 Stayed at: 16 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

We had to place basically to ourselves. Beautiful, lush, green lawn to camp on. Extremely clean bathrooms, and Paul, the host was
very friendly and outgoing and made sure we had everything we needed.
Would stay here again if I lived in that state.

Anthony M

Verified

April 19, 2026 Stayed at: 09 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

4

Good campground - appreciated the running water in the bathrooms

Ellie M

Verified

April 17, 2026 Stayed at: 25 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

This was the most beautiful, immaculately clean and well maintained campground I’ve ever been in. The other people staying there were so respectful. It was quiet all the time with people choosing to settle down very early, letting in only the sounds of nature after dark. I truly appreciate all of the effort that goes into maintaining a space like this.

Madeline O

Verified

April 14, 2026 Stayed at: 07 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

Great spot, next to the river, and had bathrooms

Location Steel Creek Campground

Address:
386 Nc 2104
Jasper, AR, 72641
United States

Elevation: 476 feet

Distance to downtown

13 mi drive to downtown Jasper (about 20 min)

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.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: September 3, 2026

National Park Service Logo
Managed by National Park Service