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Steel Creek Campground

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on Recreation.gov and National Park Service records. Published by Humblebee.

Campsites
39[1]
Nightly fee from
$20[2]
Reservations
Yes[3]

Steel Creek Campground is managed by the National Park Service in Buffalo National River, Arkansas[4]. Recreation.gov lists 39 overnight campsites, and they can be reserved there[1][3].

What to expect

Recreation.gov lists 26 tent only sites and 13 equestrian sites, all nonelectric[1]. Recreation.gov lists 26 hike-in sites and 13 drive-in sites[5]. Recreation.gov lists 0 sites that accept an RV or trailer[6]. NPS says the campground is open year round, but the tent area's restrooms and water are closed in winter, from November 15 to March 15[7]. NPS says all sites are reservation only, through Recreation.gov or by phone[8]. Recreation.gov lists check-in at 1:00 PM and check-out at 12:00 PM[9][10].

Campsite details

From Recreation.gov campsite records. Details can change, so check the listing before you book.

Detail Value
Campsites[1] 39
Site types[1] 26 tent only nonelectric, 13 equestrian nonelectric
Sites (NPS count)[11] 39, 39 reservable, 0 first come, first served
Reservations[3] Yes, on Recreation.gov
Equipment[6] RV or trailer at 0 sites, tent at 26 sites
Pets[12] Allowed at all listed sites
Campfires[13] Allowed at all listed sites
Check-in[9] 1:00 PM
Check-out[10] 12:00 PM
People per site[14] 6

Camping fees

Nightly fees listed by the National Park Service. Fees can change by season.

Site or fee Per night
Steel Creek Camping Fee[2] $20

Amenities

Before you go

Questions people ask

How much does Steel Creek Campground cost?
Recreation.gov lists the Steel Creek Camping Fee as $20 per night[2]. Fees can change, so check Recreation.gov before booking.
Can you reserve sites at Steel Creek Campground?
Yes. NPS says all sites are reservation only, booked on Recreation.gov or by phone at 877-444-6777[8]. NPS lists 39 reservable sites and 0 first come, first served[11].
Are dogs allowed at Steel Creek Campground?
Recreation.gov site details list pets as allowed at all 39 campsites with this detail listed[12].
Are campfires allowed at Steel Creek Campground?
Recreation.gov lists campfires as allowed at all 39 campsites with this detail listed[13]. Fire restrictions can apply at any time[13].
Can I bring an RV to Steel Creek Campground?
Recreation.gov lists 0 sites that accept an RV or trailer[6].

Facts and sources

  1. Recreation.gov lists 39 overnight campsites at Steel Creek Campground: 26 tent only nonelectric, 13 equestrian nonelectric. Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  2. Camping fee, Steel Creek Camping Fee: $20 per night. National Park Service
  3. Steel Creek Campground can be reserved on Recreation.gov. Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  4. Steel Creek Campground is a campground managed by the National Park Service in Buffalo National River, Arkansas. Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  5. Site access types at Steel Creek Campground: Hike-In 26, Drive-In 13 sites. Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  6. Permitted equipment at Steel Creek Campground: 0 sites accept an RV or trailer and 26 accept a tent. Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  7. Season and hours (NPS): Steel Creek Campground is about 3 miles east of Ponca, Arkansas off of Highway 74 and 13 miles west of Jasper, Arkansas. The tent campground has 26 campsites and the horse campground has 14 sites. It is open year round, restroom and... National Park Service
  8. Reservation note from NPS: All sites are available by reservation only through recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. National Park Service
  9. Check-in time at Steel Creek Campground on Recreation.gov: 1:00 PM. Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  10. Check-out time at Steel Creek Campground on Recreation.gov: 12:00 PM. Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  11. NPS lists 39 sites at Steel Creek Campground: 39 reservable and 0 first come, first served. National Park Service
  12. Pets allowed per Recreation.gov site details at Steel Creek Campground: yes at all 39 campsites with this detail listed. Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  13. Campfires allowed per Recreation.gov site details at Steel Creek Campground: yes at all 39 campsites with this detail listed. Fire restrictions can apply at any time. Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  14. Maximum people per campsite at Steel Creek Campground: 6 at most sites (range 6 to 6). Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  15. Amenities at Steel Creek Campground listed by NPS: toilets: Flush Toilets - seasonal, Vault Toilets - seasonal; showers: None; drinking water: Yes - seasonal; dump station: No; cell reception: No; camp store: No; firewood for sale: No; food storage... National Park Service

Site details come from Recreation.gov campsite records. They can lag behind changes on the ground. Fees change by season and site type. Quote only fee facts and say they can change. Description and rules facts are sources for facts only: retell in your own words, never copy 8 or more words in a row. Hookup, pet and campfire counts are per listed campsite record, not a promise for every site.

Campsite data: Recreation Information Database (RIDB), Recreation.gov, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Not endorsed by Recreation.gov or any agency.