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

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

Nearby Activities & Attractions

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Water Activities

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

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Showers
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Showers
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

132 Sites Available

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

Reviews (239)

What Guests Are Saying

Big Spring Campground offers a beautiful and peaceful setting with stunning natural springs, clean facilities, and hot showers, making it a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts. While some reviews noted maintenance issues, such as poorly placed picnic tables and unclean fire pits, many visitors appreciated the spaciousness, cleanliness, and convenience to nearby attractions like Van Buren. Overall, guests enjoyed their experiences and expressed a desire to return, highlighting the campground's charm and natural beauty.

Review Summary

4.1
239 reviews
5
54.0%
129
4
23.4%
56
3
8.8%
21
2
8.8%
21
1
5.0%
12

Lisa J

September 15, 2023

5

56th family reunion at Big Springs. Love the park thanks for preserving natural & cultural of the Ozarks.

Rockey P

Verified

September 5, 2023 Stayed at: 101, Loop: Loop 100

5

Clean and great host

Carrie S

Verified

August 20, 2023 Stayed at: 113, Loop: Loop 100

3

It was all right, I stayed there because if the meteor shower presentation and then I rained and they talked about bats instead. I’m not fond of the power boats on that part of the river. I don’t mind cold water, especially when it was hot, but the bathrooms and showers were pretty grimy. I had previously stayed at Echo Bluff and Alley Springs so Big Springs paled in comparison. I just stayed 1 night of the 3 I had planned

mary j

August 18, 2023

4

I have been coming to Big Springs for about 40 years now. I just love it.

Sandra S

Verified

August 1, 2023 Stayed at: 229, Loop: Loop 200

2

Cold showers, which we were made aware of prior. Campers next to us set up 2 tents right outside our camper plus their camper. Thought that was not allowed?

Brenda F

Verified

July 20, 2023 Stayed at: 228, Loop: Loop 200

5

I love Big Spring campground. The grounds are always well kept and the bathrooms clean. I look forward to the new shower and bathrooms.
Raccoons are plentiful! I wish the dumpster would have a lock or lid that is raccoon proof. The banging of the lid by the raccoons at night, wake me several times every night.

Kendra M

Verified

July 18, 2023 Stayed at: 216, Loop: Loop 200

1

Campground host was very unfriendly. Campsites are close together with picnic tables and firepit on opposite side of camper door. The campsite has potential but as of right now is lacking. Bathroom was dirty with broken soap dispenser. Site said you can fit a 40ft camper with 2 vehicles but barely fit our 30ft and host made us park in next lot by amphitheater. Very inconvenient!

Virginia H

Verified

July 12, 2023 Stayed at: 218, Loop: Loop 200

2

We have been coming here to camp yearly for 34 years. Was our favorite location, campgrounds need work, add electrical and water to some of the sites. This year no hot showers. Not many activities, used to be a lot! River never disappoints .

Mehmed & Amra K

Verified

July 11, 2023 Stayed at: 208, Loop: Loop 200

4

Nice river and campground but not enough electric sites. All non electric site should get electric hook up and campground would be more visited.

Ronda D

Verified

July 5, 2023 Stayed at: 210, Loop: Loop 200

2

We have been coming to this campground over 25+ yrs. This is the worst it has ever been! The grass was tall and there were millions of flying bugs/ knats! You couldn’t sit out and enjoy the park.
We bring a big group(9-10 camp sites) and stay 4 nights

Location Big Spring

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

Highway access

Big Spring Campground is accessible via Missouri Highway 103, which connects to the nearby town of Van Buren.

Latitude & Longitude: 36.9625 / -90.9831

Elevation: 138 feet

Policies & Rules

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.
  • 50-amp electric hookups are now available in the 200 loop only (bring converters if necessary).
  • There is no direct water hook up at the campsites. You may fill your tanks at the station near the front entrance.
  • There are no sewer hookups. A dump station is available at the campground entrance.
  • Two tents or 1 RV and 1 tent per site only on Standard Family sites
  • 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.
  • No glass bottled beverages are allowed in tubes or non-motorized vessels
  • All reservations and reservation changes MUST be completed through the Recreation.gov user profile or by calling toll free 1+877-444-6777.
  • 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.
  • Free standing Hammocks only. NO hammocks are allowed to be tied to trees.
  • 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.)

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 13, 2026

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