National Park Service
Near Ponca, Arkansas: $12–$17/night, rigs to 25 ft. Open Year-round. Book 6 months ahead via Recreation.gov.
National Park Service
Managing authority
Near Ponca, Arkansas
How much does camping at Steel Creek Campground (Buffalo National River) cost, and when is it open?
Steel Creek Campground (Buffalo National River) near Ponca, Arkansas (National Park Service) — camping fee $12–$17/night, season Year-round, RV size limit Up to 25 ft. Reservations: 6 months ahead via Recreation.gov — book direct through the official channel.
The numbers
Fee range
$12–$17/night
Season open
Year-round
RV size limit
Up to 25 ft
Reservation window
6 months ahead via Recreation.gov
The insider read
Upper district launch point — the Ponca-to-Kyles section is the most-paddled stretch of the Buffalo. Roark Bluff towers 500 ft above the campground. Spring water level (March-May) is the only reliable float window — check the NPS USGS gauge for Pruitt before paddling.
Original analysis from PickRV — synthesised from public sources you can verify, pulling the operational details competitor guides typically skip.
Verify at nps.govOn site
Book it right
PickRV doesn't handle campground bookings — reserve direct through the official channel so policies and cancellations flow through one record.
Opens recreation.gov
Every fact above is sourced from the managing agency's canonical page. Cross-check fee, season, and size limit before you depend on them.
Match the campground's size limit and hookup level to a vehicle category, then plan the rest of the trip.
Keep exploring
Near Mountain View
USFSInsider tip · 20-min drive from the Ozark Folk Center bluegrass jams — Tuesday/Friday nights the campground hosts pickers' circles around fire rings. Sites 8 and 12 sit closest to the dock; bass fishing best at first light.
Near Bismarck
COEInsider tip · DeGray Lake is the only Arkansas lake with a striped-bass population — pre-dawn 5am is the bite window at the rocky points off the campground swim beach. USACE Senior/Access Pass holders pay half-fee — apply at check-in not at booking.
Near Mena
StateInsider tip · Top of Rich Mountain — second-highest point in Arkansas. The lodge restaurant view at sunset is the reason to come. The campground sits 10°F cooler than the Mena valley below in July; bring a jacket for night.
Near Murfreesboro
StateInsider tip · Only public diamond mine in the world where you keep what you find. Rangers plow the search field after every rain — the 24-hour post-rain window is the gold (diamond) standard. Camp loop is a short walk to the field gate.
Nearby & related
Sourced costs, campground directories, and the places worth a detour — the next layer of Arkansas trip planning.
Before you go
Arkansas rules
Verified 2026-05-10