Details
n/a, Ponca, AR, 72742
National Park ServiceLast Updated: February 4, 2026
Table Of Contents
Campground Overview
Introduction
Steel Creek Campground has 26 tent-only sites and 13 sites for campers with horses/stock animals (six people and six stock animals allowed per site). There are no electrical amenities, but flush restrooms and water are available from approximately March 15 through November 14. All sites are available for reservation at recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Reservations can be made same day and up to 6 months in advance.
Campsite Details
Operating Hours
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 water system in the tent campground are closed in the winter (November 15 - March 15).The vault toilet in the tent campground will be open in the winter, but with very limited servicing. RVs are not allowed.
Weather
Summer in the Ozarks can be very hot and humid. Please check the weather forecast prior to your arrival and plan accordingly. The weather the rest of the year has the potential to be wet and cool or dry and warm. Please pay special attention to river levels and the rain forecast when planning a trip on the river. River levels can rise dramatically in a short period of time so please be aware of conditions.
Amenities
Trash & Recycling Collection
Toilets
Staff or Host On-Site
Potable Water
Directions
Steel Creek Campground is located off of Highway 74 in the western end of the park. The campground is approximately 2 miles east of Ponca, Arkansas and 13 miles west of Jasper, Arkansas. The access road to Steel Creek is paved about 2 miles to the bottom. On the valley floor the road becomes gravel. The horse campground is to the right and the tent campground is to the left.
Rates & Fees
Steel Creek Camping Fee
Sites at Steel Creek are $20.00 per site, per night with a total of 6 people permitted on each site. Reservations are required through recreation. Fees are charged when water is available and flush restrooms are open (approximately March 15 - November 14). No fees are charged during the winter when water systems are shut down and only the vault restrooms are open (approximately November 15 - March 14).
Rules & Regulations
Fire/Stove Policy
Please keep fires in the designated fire rings. Cook stoves are allowed.Regulations Overview
Quiet hours are between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Generators may be used between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Maximum length of stay in campground is 14 consecutive days. Use the trash receptacles for all other refuse. These measures will help prevent nuisance wildlife and keep the campground clean. Washing anything in the river is prohibited. You may use dead and down wood for firewood. All fires should be completely out when campsite is unattended. At all times, pets must be confined or on a leash not more than 6 feet in length. Pets should not be left unattended. Clean up after pets. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY: call 911. Report all accidents and lost and found property to a ranger.Accessibility
Wheelchair Access
The terrain is grassy and uneven.
Cell Phone Information
Cell phone service is not reliable unless you drive several miles towards Jasper on Highway 74 or north of Ponca on Highway 43.
RV Allowed
No
RV Information
Trailers are only allowed in the horse camp.
RV Maximum Length
0
Trailer Maximum Length
0
ADA Information
Steel Creek Campground does not have any ADA compliant campsites. The restroom facilities are ADA compliant.
Trailer Allowed
Yes
Access Roads
Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather
Classifications
Developed Campground
Additional Information
An emergency phone is available at the visitor contact station, near the old barns and horse stables. This phone can also be used to call recreation.gov to make camping reservations and the local canoe concessionaires.
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