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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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
LeRoy M
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2022 • Stayed at: 222, Loop: Loop 200
Campsites were too close together. Too crowded. Not my style.
Patrick H
VerifiedSeptember 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 227, Loop: Loop 200
Great place. Glad they are fixing up the cabins.
luann w
VerifiedAugust 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 217, Loop: Loop 200
While the campground is well maintained as far as mowing, the campsites that are listed as full shade are far from it. Also, the flies are insane. It would be nice if the campground would spray the area before summer season started. Also, in all the campsites I saw the fire ring was located on the backside of the camper pull in, which means you have to go all the way around the camper to get inside. I have never been to a sight that didnt have the fire ring on the same side as the camper doors. Also note that even though you are a short distance to the current river you do not have view of it. The cell service was spotty but better than some we have been to. The hot showers and the rest rooms were clean and very well maintained. Probably wouldnt return simply because we know there are other camp sights that have real river access.
William M
VerifiedAugust 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 101, Loop: Loop 100
Other than the showers being a bit far away from the campground than I would like everything else was wonderful. Well kept and clean. Great for family outings. Would definitely recommend!
Jeff S
VerifiedAugust 6, 2022 • Stayed at: 221, Loop: Loop 200
Super nice campground. Camp hosts were very helpful. Beautiful area, easy access to river
Anne S
VerifiedJuly 31, 2022 • Stayed at: 223, Loop: Loop 200
shirley k
VerifiedJuly 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 212, Loop: Loop 200
showers were the only inadequate variable. 150 degrees was the setting and could not be adjusted.
Martha P
VerifiedJuly 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 208, Loop: Loop 200
As always, an amazing get-away with my family.
Nancy C
VerifiedJuly 14, 2022 • Stayed at: 229, Loop: Loop 200
The showers and toilet areas in the women's bathrooms were always dirty and are need of a upgrade. Water was to hot. Some showers the timed water flow only stayed on about one minute or less, which made one have to constantly be having to start the water by pushing the button. There was only one shower that water flowed for about 5 minutes before automatically shutting off. The shower curtains are to short, allowing water to splash out of the shower area. The camp hosts were nice. The 110 outlet did not work upon arrival. The maintenance person came promptly and replaced the receptacle. It went bad again on the 4th day and had to be replaced again. Maintenance man said this is a common problem they have with all the 110 outlets. The bathrooms at the campground were kept clean, which was very nice. However, there should be showers at the campground instead of having to drive to the one and only building with showers in the entire park. There are only 4 women's and 4 men's showers in the entire park as well and there should be more showers based on the number of campsites in the park to accommodate the number of people camping.
James G
VerifiedJuly 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 212, Loop: Loop 200
The campground is located right on the Current River with spacious sites and shade at most of the sites. We were in loop 200 which has electric and central water. Enjoyed the stay and Punkin the female turkey who was around every day. But beware of the little bandit raccoons. They are into everything.
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.)
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Last updated: June 13, 2026