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

Sienna J

Verified

April 14, 2026 Stayed at: 16 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

Clean and pretty and epic

Clinton F

Verified

April 13, 2026 Stayed at: 04 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

Beautiful site! Peaceful and affordable.

Host was very hospital and informative.

Ready to go back!

Stephanie S

Verified

March 31, 2026 Stayed at: 15 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

This campsite is perfect for quick and close access to the Buffalo National River. The grounds are flat and full of soft grass. Campsites closer to the river allow for shade during the day, but be prepared for full sun for the ones closer to the parking spaces-- I highly recommend a pop-up tent for shade. Flush toilets are available from spring to fall, but a vault toilet is always on site. I loved seeing everyone camping and enjoying the river together. Ponca is the closest town with supplies, activities, and a gas pump. 4x4 is not required to access the campsite, but I do recommend it.

Jennifer C

Verified

March 30, 2026 Stayed at: 12 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

Nicely maintained campground along the Buffalo River and scenic bluffs. Most of the campers were families during the spring break week and the night was quiet. Appreciated the nearby bathroom, although the light was out in women’s bathroom so a flashlight was necessary after dark. Husband reported that the men’s bathroom needed cleaning. The host was friendly and was seen several times monitoring the campground on his golf cart with his dog.

Mitchell S

Verified

March 29, 2026 Stayed at: 06 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

Easily the best public spot to camp on the Buffalo.

Courtney P

Verified

March 29, 2026 Stayed at: 26 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

BEAUTIFUL Site, paddle that river - you won't regret it. We did Steele Creek to Kyles Landing. Epic.

Brian J

Verified

March 28, 2026 Stayed at: 12 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

4

Great camping. Bathroom kept flooding and closed, but they always tried to repair it quickly. It happened 3-4 times in 3 days. A ranger came by to check on everyone a few times which was nice. If possible, it would be awesome if someone came by at 10 to kindly ask anyone being super loud to observe quiet hours. The way sound travels through there meant 1 small group was keeping the whole camp up.
We love the campground and appreciate you all.

Moriah B

Verified

March 25, 2026 Stayed at: 21 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

4

Great location on the Buffalo River, but limited bathroom facilities. It was also hard to see the site numbers and many people ended up at wrong campsites. Lots of great hiking and waterfalls in the area to explore even if you can't get on the river.

Edgar S

Verified

March 21, 2026 Stayed at: 06 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

loved it!

James Thomas J

Verified

November 3, 2025 Stayed at: 27 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp

5

Steel Creek Campground is absolutely beautiful!
This place blew me away, clean, well-kept, and peaceful. The bathrooms were spotless (a big deal for any campground), and you can tell the grounds are cared for with pride. The scenery is incredible with trails that start right from camp, offering stunning views in every direction. The campground host was awesome, friendly, helpful, and made sure everything stayed in top shape. Couldn’t ask for a better camping experience. I will definitely be back!

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

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