[title size=”2″]Camping at Steel Creek, Buffalo River[/title]

The Buffalo River is America’s first national river. It runs by Steel Creek Campground, which is located near Ponca, Arkansas. To get to the campground, take Highway 74 a mile east of Ponca to the top of the mountain and enter through the Steel Creek gate on the left. This campground is run by the National Parks Service and is one of the most popular campgrounds along the Buffalo River. 26 tent sites are available for rental to a maximum of 6 people per site on a first come first serve basis. Campsite rentals are $10 a day from mid-March to mid-November when flowing water is available. The campsites are still available to rent during the rest of the year but no fee is charged. Of those 26 sites, 14 are also considered horse campsites. The campground has two toilets and water available at either end.

The Buffalo River is a free-flowing river that runs for 150 miles. Its lack of manmade alterations and pollution makes it one of the few uncorrupted rivers remaining in the 48 contiguous United States. It flows eastward through the Ozarks and empties into the White River. The Steel Creek Campground offers access to both the Buffalo River Trail and the Old River Trail. Both of these trails are accessible to hikers and horseback riders, but visitors should be prepared to follow the trail across the river. Also located near the campground is the scenic Roark Bluff, one of the most photographed sites in Arkansas.  Wildlife and fantastic views can be seen all year-round in this region. The fall is the most popular time to visit because of the colorful foliage, which usually peaks during the third week of October, and to view the wandering elk herds that travel through the area primarily during the fall.