Featured amenities
Pet Friendly
River Access
Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates39 total sites
Tent Sites
26 sites
About Steel Creek Campground
Number of accommodations: 39
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Year-round
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 (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.
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
Nicholas J
VerifiedOctober 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 10 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
The Buffalo National River & Steel Creek specifically, never disappoint. Fantastic experience through and through.
Marcy D
VerifiedOctober 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 27 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp
Beautiful campground and awesome riding along the Old River Trail.
Kirkland C
VerifiedOctober 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 11 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
Enjoyed the campsite. Beautiful part of the country.
Dara P
VerifiedOctober 13, 2025 • Stayed at: 10 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful campground that is well kept.
Jennifer S
VerifiedOctober 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 32 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp
Best horse camp I’ve been to so far. It is beautiful and challenging at times, we went just after a flood, so some trees were down but they could easily be navigated around. I would recommend a tracking app, at the very least a map. The trails can be confusing at first. Spent a week here and had plenty of trails to ride. We also hiked to the overlook and saw our camp from above, swimming holes close by and the water is crystal clear. Bathrooms are nice and clean. The camp host was very friendly and helpful. We plan on going every year.
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.
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.
Elevation: 476 feet
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.
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Last updated: September 3, 2026
