OutReserve

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

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

Campground Amenities

  • Pet Friendly
    Pet Friendly
  • River Access
    River Access

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

Sites & Availability

39 Sites Available

Site
Price
01 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
02 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
03 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
04 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
05 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
06 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
07 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
08 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
09 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
10 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
11 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
12 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
13 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
14 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
15 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
16 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
17 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
18 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
19 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
20 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
21 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
22 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
23 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
24 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
25 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
26 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
27 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
28 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
29 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
30 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
31 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
32 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
33 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
34 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
35 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
36 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
37 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
38 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
39 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night

Reviews (123)

What Guests Are Saying

Steel Creek Campground is consistently praised for its stunning beauty, cleanliness, and well-maintained facilities, making it an ideal spot for nature lovers. Campers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, respectful guests, and friendly campground hosts, alongside easy access to the nearby Buffalo National River for activities like floating and hiking. While there are some minor issues with bathroom facilities and noise from other campers, the overall experience is highly positive, with many visitors eager to return.

Review Summary

4.5
123 reviews
5
75.6%
93
4
13.8%
17
3
4.1%
5
2
2.4%
3
1
4.1%
5

Steve D

Verified

October 30, 2021 Stayed at: 04 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

We stayed at site #4 and it was fantastic. It was right along the tree line with plenty of space for our tent and canopy, a small alcove in the shade for our hammock and a path that led right down to the river - which was absolutely gorgeous!
My one concern was that the site was at the bottom of a small hill and whether that may be problematic if we got a bunch of rain, but luckily we never had to find out.
The grounds were very well kept. We saw several deer and we actually had a nightly visit from some curious armadillos.
Just a heads up that we did have absolutely zero phone signal here - which wasn’t all together a bad thing, in fact. We would definitely stay here again when in the area.

Hannah S

Verified

October 30, 2021 Stayed at: 09 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

2

This is a beautiful place but the first night we were there we had no water (no flushing toilets and no water at the pump). We also had a problem with someone setting up on our reserved site. The ranger was helpful but really couldn’t do much to make them move. We ended up having to share the site with them the first night. We love Steele Creek but were disappointed with our stay this year.

Joshua E

Verified

October 29, 2021 Stayed at: 02 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

4

The bluffs and river are beautiful and the campground is central to many great spots to hit in the Ozarks. We were there Weds through Friday night. Weds and Thurs night were great but Friday night was packed with cars rolling in at all hours of the night and many people setting up camp in areas that were not campsites.

Brenda B

Verified

October 26, 2021 Stayed at: 28 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp

1

The conditions of the tie line area is horrible. We had to leave early because the pooling of water around that tie area. Our horses were miserable in the knee deep mud. That water could easily be diverted and fixed. We have been there before and it has never be dry for the horses!

Nasreen J

Verified

October 16, 2021 Stayed at: 13 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

Camping at Steele Creek was a great experience. The campground was clean and well maintained. Although the area was very open rather than secluded from others, the campers, kids and dogs were very considerate. I will definitely go back. The river and bluffs were beautiful!

Jenni H

Verified

October 12, 2021 Stayed at: 12 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

Steel Creek is such a beautiful place. The campgrounds are great, grounds are nice, the bathrooms flush. We spend a lot of time on the Buffalo, enjoying hiking, and visiting waterfalls in the spring. On our recent trip to Steel Creek, we just sat around, played in the river, and relaxed. It was perfect. Except for the bees. There were swarms of fairly determined bees, who really wanted to share our soda/yogurt/pancake syrup/banana. But, it’s fall, they’re getting desperate for food, we get it.

Rachael B

Verified

October 9, 2021 Stayed at: 32 - Horse Site, Loop: Horse Camp

5

This place is BEAUTIFUL! The park rangers were also very helpful and kind.

Danielle E

Verified

October 6, 2021 Stayed at: 02 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

Great campsite! Beautiful views of the Buffalo. Easy check-in. Quiet, well-maintained space. Bathrooms were clean. Had a cute armadillo hang out near our spot! Would stay again!

Ebed V

Verified

October 3, 2021 Stayed at: 13 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

4

Nice place,very clean peaceful
I will back camping again

Wesley W

Verified

October 1, 2021 Stayed at: 11 - Tent Site, Loop: Main Loop

5

Steele Creek is such a great campground. With such close access to the river and the BRT, coupled with a super clear sky at night, makes for an amazing getaway. Can't wait to come back... and no cell service helps out too!

Location Steel Creek Campground

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

Latitude & Longitude: 36.0302 / -93.3419

Elevation: 476 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

Sites 27 - 39 are our Equestrian Camping Sites only for campers with horses.   

General

The facility is available for camping free of charge outside of the reservation season, generally November 15th to March 15th every year.

General

Climbing and/or diving from the bluffs is dangerous and highly discouraged.

General

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. 

General

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.

General

Do not swim alone during high water.

General

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.

General

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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