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
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🚐 102, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
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🚐 103, Loop: Loop 100
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🚐 104, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
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🚐 105, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
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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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No Hookups
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🚐 110, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
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🚐 111, Loop: Loop 100
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🚐 115, Loop: Loop 100
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🚐 116, Loop: Loop 100
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🚐 117, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
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🚐 118, Loop: Loop 100
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🚐 119, Loop: Loop 100
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🚐 120, Loop: Loop 100
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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
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🚐 202, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
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🚐 203, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
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🚐 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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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
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🚐 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
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🚐 228, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
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🚐 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
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303, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
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304, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
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305, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
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306, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
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307, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
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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
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🚐 313, Loop: Loop 300
No Hookups
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🚐 314, Loop: Loop 300
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🚐 315, Loop: Loop 300
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🚐 316, Loop: Loop 300
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🚐 318, Loop: Loop 300
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🚐 411, Loop: Loop 400
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🚐 415, Loop: Loop 400
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🚐 416, Loop: Loop 400
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🚐 417, Loop: Loop 400
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🚐 418, Loop: Loop 400
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🚐 419, Loop: Loop 400
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🚐 420, Loop: Loop 400
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🚐 421, Loop: Loop 400
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🚐 501, Loop: Loop 500
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🚐 502, Loop: Loop 500
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🚐 503, Loop: Loop 500
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🚐 504, Loop: Loop 500
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🚐 505, Loop: Loop 500
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🚐 506, Loop: Loop 500
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🚐 507, Loop: Loop 500
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🚐 514, Loop: Loop 500
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🚐 515, Loop: Loop 500
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🚐 516, Loop: Loop 500
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🚐 517, Loop: Loop 500
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🚐 518, Loop: Loop 500
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🚐 601, Loop: Loop 600
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🚐 602, Loop: Loop 600
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🚐 603, Loop: Loop 600
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🚐 604, Loop: Loop 600
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🚐 605, Loop: Loop 600
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🚐 606, Loop: Loop 600
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🚐 607, Loop: Loop 600
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🚐 608, Loop: Loop 600
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🚐 609, Loop: Loop 600
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🚐 610, Loop: Loop 600
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🚐 611, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
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🚐 612, Loop: Loop 600
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🚐 613, Loop: Loop 600
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🚐 614, Loop: Loop 600
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🚐 615, Loop: Loop 600
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🚐 616, Loop: Loop 600
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🚐 617, Loop: Loop 600
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🚐 618, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
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🚐 619, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
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🚐 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

E L

Verified

July 4, 2022 Stayed at: 226, Loop: Loop 200

4

We have camped at Big Springs for many years, and love it. We did miss not having a host family on site this time around.

Mark R

Verified

June 24, 2022 Stayed at: 209, Loop: Loop 200

5

The water was very clean and refreshing. The hiking trails near the river were in very good condition.

CarrieAnn M

Verified

June 22, 2022 Stayed at: 205, Loop: Loop 200

3

Some lady had a hose running to her RV from the only water location at the whole camp. No camp hosts.. Don't touch anything at the hot shower location. That place could use some TLC. There should be a trail to the water and beach access closer to campground. There is far away access though from the other non-electric site (was completely empty).

Sherre D

Verified

June 12, 2022 Stayed at: 223, Loop: Loop 200

3

A camp host was definitely needed during our stay. The disruption that we had for hours would have only been minutes if we had, had a camp host.
The park was clean, the amenities were clean and in working order, & the park is beautiful. The park was better than I expected for our camping trip.
Cell phone service was limited as expected but that was okay, we were unplugging for some fireside and river fun.

Dawn H

Verified

June 8, 2022 Stayed at: 203, Loop: Loop 200

2

Neighboring campers were drunk, arguing loudly, and cursing until 430am, would not stop when asked politely to be more quiet as we and our children were trying to sleep. Called for a ranger and it took a long time for one to come deal with the issue. Campground is nice, but it's disappointing on how long it took for a ranger to come deal with the issue.

Kelly M

Verified

May 26, 2022 Stayed at: 203, Loop: Loop 200

5

Nice big site and we had the whole loop to ourselves just about. The spring is so powerful and we got in a good hike.

Cathern P

Verified

May 26, 2022 Stayed at: 215, Loop: Loop 200

4

Very nice well kept campgrounds, I enjoyed the hiking trail along the river. Bathrooms at 200 loop were very clean. We will camp there again.

Jeff S

Verified

May 11, 2022 Stayed at: 216, Loop: Loop 200

5

Beautiful, well maintained campsite. We were fortunate to meet a Ranger who advised us to move from our reserved site due to exceptional heavy rain and high probability of flooding. He arranged a site that was safe. Great guy👍🏻

Jeremy H

Verified

May 1, 2022 Stayed at: 216, Loop: Loop 200

2

The spring is worth the drive for sure but once u get there the signage to get around the park isn’t the best. What ever the site has listed for size cut it in half that more accurate . You will need a bout 75 feet of water hose if u fill up in the campground. Tables and fire pits are either behind ur camper or the opposite side and ur entry door. There was no camp ground host when we was there. It was quiet but not exactly a place I will be looking to book anytime soon.

Russell H

Verified

October 30, 2021 Stayed at: 208, Loop: Loop 200

5

Beautiful park and well taken care of. We will be glad when the cabins and lodge are finished.

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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