Our events are open to all – Ozark Society membership is not required. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. All participants will need to sign a NPS Volunteer Agreement. NPS does not permit dogs on any trail or in the backcountry within BNR.
Our current primary project is rehabilitating the oldest part of the BRT – in the upper river area between Boxley & Pruitt – but we’ll shift to addressing other area trails as we get caught up on the BRT. Our base of operations is the ranch house at the Steel Creek campground. We will leave that base each morning about 8:30 and try to car-pool to the trail access point. The work is mostly brush removal but we do some tread repairs as well. Loppers, hand saws, and Pulaskis will be the main tools. NPS supplies them but you’re encouraged to bring your own if you have them. Two parts of the trail require us to hike as much as 7 miles/day but 3-5 miles is typical. Sometimes we’ll have to wade shallow creeks. We try to get back to headquarters by 3:30-4:00 PM.
If you have a current sawyer certification with NPS or USFS and have a saw, fuel, safety equipment, etc then we can put you to work. Within the Ponca Wilderness (Steel Creek to Kyle’s Landing for the BRT) a cross-cut saw would be required.
If you’re not camping with us but want to go out and work with us then meet in front of the ranch house by 8:15 AM.
You should bring your “10 essentials”, water containers (2-3L), creek-wading shoes, work gloves, safety glasses, and a day pack to carry all your stuff. We are generally working in areas open to hunting so having some blaze orange clothing is a good idea. In any case, avoid deer or elk-colored attire.
There is space around the ranch house for tents and a limited number of truck-mounted campers and trailers but with no utility hookups. There might be limited shared sleeping areas available on the covered patio. Potable water is available. There are a number of cabins, B&Bs and campgrounds in the area if you want something else.
There is no shower available at the ranch house (or elsewhere in the Steel Creek area) so a good alternative is to bring a wash cloth to wipe away the grunge as needed.
There is no cell service at river-level in the Steel Creek area but we do usually have service at some point as we go to and fro each day.
We have use of a pretty well-equipped kitchen and there is an option to participate in our group meals. The cost is $5/day (3 meals) and must be arranged at least a week in advance. Breakfast is generally a selection of hot and cold cereals, bagels, fruit, juice, and coffee. Lunch is sandwiches (PB&J or ham/turkey with a variety of cheeses and condiments), chips, and snacks. Dinner varies. Some people will cook, everyone else washes dishes. We regularly accommodate vegetarians. Please bring reusable storage containers for your lunch. The ranch house has all the eating utensils (cup, bowl, plate, spoon, fork, knife) that we’ve needed.
If not participating in the group meals you will also need to supply your own cooking and cleaning utensils and raccoon-proof food storage.
We generally spend our down time sitting out in front of the house so bring a lawn chair.
Get information about the upper river area and trail maps.
Last review: Mar 12 2026
Buffalo River Trail Crew 