Featured amenities
About Big Spring
Number of accommodations: 132
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Water Activities
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Water and Hygiene
- Showers
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Rates, Sites & Availability
132 Sites Available
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Site Details
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132 Sites Available
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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.
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
Lisa J
September 15, 2023
56th family reunion at Big Springs. Love the park thanks for preserving natural & cultural of the Ozarks.
Rockey P
VerifiedSeptember 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 101, Loop: Loop 100
Clean and great host
Carrie S
VerifiedAugust 20, 2023 • Stayed at: 113, Loop: Loop 100
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
I have been coming to Big Springs for about 40 years now. I just love it.
Sandra S
VerifiedAugust 1, 2023 • Stayed at: 229, Loop: Loop 200
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
VerifiedJuly 20, 2023 • Stayed at: 228, Loop: Loop 200
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
VerifiedJuly 18, 2023 • Stayed at: 216, Loop: Loop 200
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
VerifiedJuly 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 218, Loop: Loop 200
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
VerifiedJuly 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 208, Loop: Loop 200
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
VerifiedJuly 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 210, Loop: Loop 200
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
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.
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
Last updated: June 13, 2026