Steel Creek
Buffalo National River
Campalytics™ Beta
Summary
Steel Creek Campground is situated along the Buffalo River under the towering Roark Bluff and offers 26 walk-in tent sites and 14 sites for horse campers. The river is 135 miles long with no dams and offers excellent conditions for boaters and day hikers on the Buffalo River Trail. Boxley Valley is close by and is a great spot for outdoor exploring.
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 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, call the Steel Creek Ranger Station at 870-861-2570, or check river gauges online at ar.water.usgs.gov/buffaloriver.
Facilities
Natural Features
The Buffalo National River flows free over swift running rapids and quiet pools for its 135-mile 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. Call the Steel Creek Ranger Station at 870-861-2570 or visit www.nps.gov/buff for more details.
Charges & Cancellations
Photos
Campground Matrix
Set alerts at more campgrounds to increase your odds of getting a place to stay! Below is a list of the closest campgrounds supported on Campflare. Or, view all campgrounds in Buffalo National River.
| Nearby Campgrounds | Distance | Notification Rate |
|
Ozark Pavilion
Buffalo National River
|
10.4mi | — |
|
Ozone
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
|
25.5mi | — |
|
Richland Creek
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
|
27.9mi | — |
|
Wolf Pen
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
|
29.4mi | — |
|
Cricket Creek
Table Rock Lake
|
31.4mi | — |
|
Tyler Bend
Buffalo National River
|
32.5mi | 100% |