OutReserve

Big Spring

Big Spring flows along it's tree and moss-lined banks
Historic Big Spring Lodge retaining walls and drinking fountain before restoration
Big Spring on a cold fall morning with mist
Big Spring flows along it's tree and moss-lined banks preview

Featured amenities

Showers
Showers

About Big Spring

In the rolling, forested landscape of Big Spring, two of America's most beautiful spring-fed rivers combine to make up the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. As the first national park area to protect a wild river system, visitors have plenty of scenic water activities to enjoy as well as hiking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing.

Number of accommodations: 132

Campground Amenities

  • Showers
    Showers

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Apr 15 to Oct 15

Sites & Availability

132 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 101, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 102, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 103, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 104, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 105, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 106, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 107, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 108, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 109, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 110, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 111, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 112, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 113, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 114, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 115, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 116, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 117, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 118, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 119, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 120, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 121, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 122, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 123, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 124, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 202, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 203, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 204, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 205, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 206, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 207, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 208, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 209, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 210, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 211, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 212, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 213, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 214, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 215, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 216, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 217, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 218, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 219, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 220, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 221, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 222, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 223, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 224, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 225, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 226, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 227, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 228, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 229, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
301, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
302, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
303, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
304, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
305, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
306, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
307, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
308, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
309, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 310, Loop: Loop 300
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
311, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 312, Loop: Loop 300
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 313, Loop: Loop 300
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 314, Loop: Loop 300
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 315, Loop: Loop 300
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 316, Loop: Loop 300
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 317, Loop: Loop 300
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 318, Loop: Loop 300
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 319, Loop: Loop 300
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 401, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 402, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 403, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 404, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 405, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 406, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 407, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 408, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 409, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 410, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 411, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 412, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 413, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 414, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 415, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 416, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 417, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 418, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 419, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 420, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 421, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 501, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 502, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 503, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 504, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 505, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 506, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 507, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 508, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 509, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 510, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 511, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 512, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 513, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 514, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 515, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 516, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 517, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 518, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 601, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 602, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 603, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 604, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 605, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 606, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 607, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 608, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 609, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 610, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 611, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 612, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 613, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 614, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 615, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 616, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 617, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 618, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 619, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 620, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
G02, Loop: Big Spring Group Sites
45 guests · Campfire
$65.00
/ per night
G03, Loop: Chub Hollow/Groupsite #3
45 guests · Campfire
$65.00
/ per night

Reviews (236)

What Guests Are Saying

Big Spring Campground is a peaceful and well-maintained location, known for its beautiful spring and river, making it ideal for outdoor activities such as fishing, canoeing, and hiking. Visitors appreciate the clean facilities, helpful staff, and the serene atmosphere, especially during less crowded times. While some guests noted the lack of water and electric hook-ups at sites and occasional noise from other campers, many expressed a strong desire to return for the natural beauty and overall enjoyable experience.

Review Summary

4.1
236 reviews
5
54.7%
129
4
22.9%
54
3
8.9%
21
2
8.5%
20
1
5.1%
12

Tony C

Verified

July 10, 2024 Stayed at: 113, Loop: Loop 100

4

Nice place and throttle hosts were very nice

Robert B

Verified

July 9, 2024 Stayed at: 111, Loop: Loop 100

5

What a great campground. The 100 and 200 campsites are very close to the river. There’s even a trail to walk upstream and float back down right at the campground.
Many facilities are new. Spaces are level.
This campground is so close to so many other hiking areas, I chose to stay an extra 10 days.

Simon B

Verified

June 25, 2024 Stayed at: 206, Loop: Loop 200

4

Nice campground and beautiful area but the sites are packed in tight and it’s a bit of a family party atmosphere on the weekends. Those that prefer a quieter campground should avoid.

GLADIS R

Verified

June 25, 2024 Stayed at: 209, Loop: Loop 200

5

It's a great place to relax. When you go to the river, don't forget your mosquito repellent, outdoor shade, bear spray (just in case), an igloo with refreshments, sunscreen, seats, and water shoes, which you can find at the gas stations in the nearest town...

Jane W

Verified

June 17, 2024 Stayed at: 210, Loop: Loop 200

5

Big Spring has a really nice camping areas. The campsites were far enough apart and had very nice fire rings, tables and pads. The bathrooms were clean and the campground hosts were also very nice. We walked down to the current river which was beautiful as always and also went to the big spring and did a hike. We will be coming back!

Billy C

Verified

June 1, 2024 Stayed at: 212, Loop: Loop 200

2

The campground roads were narrow and the sites were much closer together than the map suggested. The campsite views were of undergrowth rather than the river. Ants invaded our camper and mosquitoes attacked us outside. The spring was beautiful but the best part of the campground was leaving. We won't be back.

Barbara A

Verified

May 28, 2024 Stayed at: 210, Loop: Loop 200

5

Big Spring is a great campground - it fit our needs perfectly!! Sites were large, great table and fire ring. We enjoyed exploring the campground and spring area. Enjoyed dinner in downtown Van Buren at Las Margaritas.

steven m

Verified

May 23, 2024 Stayed at: 209, Loop: Loop 200

5

Clean well cared for campsites, grounds, and bathrooms.

Thomas W

Verified

May 22, 2024 Stayed at: 225, Loop: Loop 200

5

Me and my fiancé had a great time! The campground was well maintained and easy to navigate! Great place to camp.

David S

May 12, 2024

4

All in all everything was perfect. We had checked out the pavilion the day before everything perfect and clean except didn’t have an updated reservation listing posted of us having the pavilion booked. Next day got there at 7:45am and some had been there and dumped a bunch of colored mini marshmallows under the tables and half drank water bottles. You need to have a small plastic broom hanging there for any kind of cleanups. We could have swept up the marshmallows or if we had made a mess. Otherwise everything was perfect.

Location Big Spring

Address:
Po Box 490
Van Buren, MO, 63965
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 36.9625 / -90.9831

Elevation: 138 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

If you arrive and another party is occupying your reserved campsite, please call Arrowhead Dispatch at 1-844-460-3604 for a Law Enforcement officer to be dispersed to your location for removal of the unauthorized party.

General

50-amp electric hookups are now available in the 200 loop only (bring converters if necessary).

General

There is no direct water hook up at the campsites. You may fill your tanks at the station near the front entrance.

General

There are no sewer hookups. A dump station is available at the campground entrance.

General

Two tents or 1 RV and 1 tent per site only on Standard Family sites

General

Modern restrooms are open April 15-Oct. 15. During other times visitors will be directed to an alternative, which may be a short distance from their campsite.

General

No glass bottled beverages are allowed in tubes or non-motorized vessels

General

All reservations and reservation changes MUST be completed through the Recreation.gov user profile or by calling toll free 1+877-444-6777.

General

For more information about the campground, please call (573) 323-4236 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30pm weekdays, or e-mail OZAR_Campground_Operations@nps.gov.

General

Free standing Hammocks only. NO hammocks are allowed to be tied to trees.

General

Water systems shut off Oct. 15-April 14. (Water off means most bathrooms and faucets in campgrounds will be closed and facilities winterized, including picnic pavilions. The exception are the heated shower houses/flush restrooms at Round Spring, Big Spring and Alley Spring campgrounds.)

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