View of the Steel Creek area from the Buffalo River Trail
Steel Creek Campground-4
Colorful tents seen on the green grass of Steel Creek Campground. Green trees and a gray bluff line can be seen in the background.
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

Available sites

39 total 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 mi (3.1 mi) east of Ponca, just off Highway 74.

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
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 02 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 03 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 04 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 05 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 06 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 07 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 08 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 09 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 10 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 11 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 12 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 13 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 14 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 15 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 16 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 17 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 18 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 19 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 20 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 21 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 22 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 23 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 24 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 25 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 26 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ 27 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ 28 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ 29 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ 30 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ 31 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ 32 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ 33 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ 34 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ 35 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ 36 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ 37 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ 38 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ 39 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp Equestrian
6 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire

Reviews (160)

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
160 reviews
5
74.4%
119
4
15.0%
24
3
4.4%
7
2
2.5%
4
1
3.8%
6

TERRI C

Verified

March 31, 2025 • Stayed at: 27 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp

1

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

Verified

November 13, 2024 • Stayed at: 01 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

3

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

Verified

November 3, 2024 • Stayed at: 29 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp

5

Great trip, camp host was very friendly.

Jim T

Verified

November 1, 2024 • Stayed at: 27 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp

4

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.

Katherine K

Verified

October 23, 2024 • Stayed at: 08 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

Campground was well maintained. The trails around the camp we clear and marked pretty well. Overall a great experience.

Don B

Verified

October 23, 2024 • Stayed at: 28 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp

5

Steel Creek remains to be at the top of my list. the camp host Paul was very helpful.

Mari W

Verified

July 17, 2024 • Stayed at: 06 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

Coming to Steel Creek is a yearly trip with family and friends, the campground never disappoints! The area is great, access to the river is wonderful.
If you come early in the season the floating is great as well. Hiking in the area as abundant with many options from easy trails to more experienced ones. There are mountain bike trails close by and also rock climbing.

Jasmine N

Verified

May 26, 2024 • Stayed at: 04 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

Always a good time at Steel Creek !

Troy S

Verified

May 22, 2024 • Stayed at: 06 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

The facilities were very well taken care of. The camp sites were well marked and well taken care of.

Lisa B

Verified

April 26, 2024 • Stayed at: 04 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

4

Beautiful location. It is nestled in a valley right next to the Buffalo river and sheer rock formation. Unfortunately, I was unable to stay due to weather forecast of severe weather and tornado concerns. I will definitely stay here in the future.

Location & Directions for Steel Creek Campground

386 Nc 2104, Jasper, AR 72641 United States

Elevation: 476 ft

Getting There

<p><strong>From Fayetteville, Arkansas</strong> drive north and take US Highway 412 East for approximately 42 mi (41.9 mi) to the intersection with State Highway 21. Take highway 21 South for approximately 17 mi (16.8 mi) to the intersection of St...

Nearest town

Jasper, AR - 13 mi

About 20 min to downtown

Policies & Rules

General

  • Sites 27 - 39 are our Equestrian Camping Sites only for campers with horses.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  • 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.&nbsp;
  • 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 &amp; 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: October 21, 2026

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Explore Jasper, AR

Population: 453

Nearby larger city

Springdale, AR

Approx. 45 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 850 ft

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