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Steel Creek Campground

Buffalo National River, Arkansas

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As of October 2026, Steel Creek Campground is a campground in Buffalo National River, Arkansas with 39 campsites. Steel Creek Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

PermitSnag checks Steel Creek Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
Steel Creek Campground is located at 36.0302° N, 93.3419° W.

people allowed on each site: 6

Steel Creek Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

November 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

Mid-stay changes allowed
Maximum consecutive stay: 14 consecutive nights
Maximum stay: 30 nights

Published by Recreation.gov for Steel Creek Campground, read on September 28, 2026.

Campsites at Steel Creek Campground

Tent 26
Equestrian 13

Amenities

restrooms
potable water

At a glance: Setting: Valley.

Things to do: boating, hiking, offroad, horse riding.

All sites at Steel Creek Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Site	Loop	Type	Sleeps
27 - Horse Site	Horse Camp	Equestrian	6
28 - Horse Site	Horse Camp	Equestrian	6
29 - Horse Site	Horse Camp	Equestrian	6
30 - Horse Site	Horse Camp	Equestrian	6
31 - Horse Site	Horse Camp	Equestrian	6
32 - Horse Site	Horse Camp	Equestrian	6
33 - Horse Site	Horse Camp	Equestrian	6
34 - Horse Site	Horse Camp	Equestrian	6
35 - Horse Site	Horse Camp	Equestrian	6
36 - Horse Site	Horse Camp	Equestrian	6
37 - Horse Site	Horse Camp	Equestrian	6
38 - Horse Site	Horse Camp	Equestrian	6
39 - Horse Site	Horse Camp	Equestrian	6
01 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
02 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
03 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
04 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
05 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
06 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
07 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6

Site	Loop	Type	Sleeps
08 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
09 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
10 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
11 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
12 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
13 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
14 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
15 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
16 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
17 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
18 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
19 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
20 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
21 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
22 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
23 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
24 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
25 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6
26 - Tent Site	Main Loop	Tent	6

About Steel Creek Campground

Overview

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.

Recreation

Floating conditions in the upper (westernmost) district of Buffalo National River are extremely dependent upon rainfall. On an average year, the upper river is only navigable by boat in the spring and early summer when consistent rainfall feeds into the watershed. Some sections on the upper end of the river are technical and should not be attempted by novices. For current floating conditions, please check with an outfitter (visit our Guided Services web page ), call the Tyler Bend Visitor Center at 870-439-2502, or check the USGS Buffalo River Floating Conditions web page.

Facilities

Steel Creek has 26 tent only sites and 13 sites for campers with horses/stock animals (six people and four stock animals allowed per site). There are no electrical amenities or water hookups, but flush restrooms and water spigots are available from approximately March 15 through November 15 each year.

Natural Features

The Buffalo National River flows free over swift running rapids and quiet pools for its 135-mile (217 km) length. One of the few remaining rivers in the lower 48 states without dams, the Buffalo cuts its way through massive limestone bluffs traveling eastward through the Arkansas Ozarks and into the White River.

Nearby Attractions

The Buffalo River Trail runs through Steel Creek and offers great day hiking or overnight backcountry opportunities.

Boxley Valley is nearby and is home to Lost Valley, an easy to moderate trail that leads hikers past geologic and water formations. Visit the park's Hiking Trails web page for more information..

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (870) 439-2502.

Charges & Cancellations

rules and reservation policies

Rules and notices at Steel Creek Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 28, 2026. Check Steel Creek Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

All sites at Steel Creek are available by reservation only.

Sites 27 - 39 are 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.

Recreation.gov permit and campground cancellations →

Steel Creek Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Steel Creek Campground?

Steel Creek Campground is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.

How do I find last-minute availability at Steel Creek Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Steel Creek Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Steel Creek Campground have?

Steel Creek Campground has 39 campsites.