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About Big Spring
Number of accommodations: 132
Campground Amenities
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Showers
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
132 Sites Available
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132 Sites Available
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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.
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
Tony C
VerifiedJuly 10, 2024 • Stayed at: 113, Loop: Loop 100
Nice place and throttle hosts were very nice
Robert B
VerifiedJuly 9, 2024 • Stayed at: 111, Loop: Loop 100
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
VerifiedJune 25, 2024 • Stayed at: 206, Loop: Loop 200
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
VerifiedJune 25, 2024 • Stayed at: 209, Loop: Loop 200
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
VerifiedJune 17, 2024 • Stayed at: 210, Loop: Loop 200
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
VerifiedJune 1, 2024 • Stayed at: 212, Loop: Loop 200
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
VerifiedMay 28, 2024 • Stayed at: 210, Loop: Loop 200
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
VerifiedMay 23, 2024 • Stayed at: 209, Loop: Loop 200
Clean well cared for campsites, grounds, and bathrooms.
Thomas W
VerifiedMay 22, 2024 • Stayed at: 225, Loop: Loop 200
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
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
Big Spring Campground is located four miles (6.4 km) south of Van Buren, Missouri. Turn south on Missouri Highway 103 and continue south for four miles (6.4 km) to the Big Spring Unit of the park.
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.) |