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
E L
VerifiedJuly 4, 2022 • Stayed at: 226, Loop: Loop 200
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
VerifiedJune 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 209, Loop: Loop 200
The water was very clean and refreshing. The hiking trails near the river were in very good condition.
CarrieAnn M
VerifiedJune 22, 2022 • Stayed at: 205, Loop: Loop 200
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
VerifiedJune 12, 2022 • Stayed at: 223, Loop: Loop 200
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
VerifiedJune 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 203, Loop: Loop 200
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
VerifiedMay 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 203, Loop: Loop 200
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
VerifiedMay 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 215, Loop: Loop 200
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
VerifiedMay 11, 2022 • Stayed at: 216, Loop: Loop 200
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
VerifiedMay 1, 2022 • Stayed at: 216, Loop: Loop 200
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
VerifiedOctober 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 208, Loop: Loop 200
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
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