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Average nightly rates132 total sites
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126 sites
Tent Sites
6 sites
About Big Spring
Number of accommodations: 132
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Hiking
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Year-round
Hiking
Horseback Riding
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Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
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- Showers
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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132 Sites Available
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Reviews (302)
What Guests Are Saying
Big Spring State Park offers a beautiful and well-maintained campground with excellent access to the Current River and nearby attractions like Blue Spring and Rocky Falls. Many visitors appreciate the cleanliness of the facilities and the friendly staff, highlighting the park's peaceful atmosphere and various recreational opportunities, including hiking and swimming. However, some guests noted issues with restroom cleanliness and limited electric sites, as well as occasional disturbances from wildlife, particularly raccoons. Overall, it is a cherished spot for camping and outdoor activities.
What Guests Are Saying
Big Spring State Park offers a beautiful and well-maintained campground with excellent access to the Current River and nearby attractions like Blue Spring and Rocky Falls. Many visitors appreciate the cleanliness of the facilities and the friendly staff, highlighting the park's peaceful atmosphere and various recreational opportunities, including hiking and swimming. However, some guests noted issues with restroom cleanliness and limited electric sites, as well as occasional disturbances from wildlife, particularly raccoons. Overall, it is a cherished spot for camping and outdoor activities.
Review Summary
shirley k
VerifiedJuly 30, 2024 • Stayed at: 214, Loop: Loop 200
Multiple brothers and cousins hanging at the river, floating down the river, eating at beaver teeth and throwing axes. Also Blue hole is a must! Can't wait until Big Springs restaurant is open.
Andrew M
VerifiedJuly 24, 2024 • Stayed at: 204, Loop: Loop 200
wow, what an awesome electric only site hot showers down the road and close to the river great place to stay
Karen L
VerifiedJuly 21, 2024 • Stayed at: 216, Loop: Loop 200
Although the spring was beautiful, the campsite was disappointing. Not waterfront as described. You can take a trail down to the river from another campsite but definitely can't see or hear the river from the campsite. There are no showers in the camping loop. You will need a bike or car to get to the shower house. Fire pit and picnic table are on the driver's side so not convenient.
Sharon L
VerifiedJuly 11, 2024 • Stayed at: 223, Loop: Loop 200
Such a lovely campground that is well maintained and perfect for making use of the Current River. We floated from the rocky beach on our paddle boards and had a lovely time! Highly recommend this place!
Tony C
VerifiedJuly 10, 2024 • Stayed at: 113, Loop: Loop 100
Nice place and throttle hosts were very nice
Robert B
VerifiedJuly 9, 2024 • Stayed at: 111, Loop: Loop 100
What a great campground. The 100 and 200 campsites are very close to the river. There’s even a trail to walk upstream and float back down right at the campground.
Many facilities are new. Spaces are level.
This campground is so close to so many other hiking areas, I chose to stay an extra 10 days.
GLADIS R
VerifiedJune 25, 2024 • Stayed at: 209, Loop: Loop 200
It's a great place to relax. When you go to the river, don't forget your mosquito repellent, outdoor shade, bear spray (just in case), an igloo with refreshments, sunscreen, seats, and water shoes, which you can find at the gas stations in the nearest town...
Simon B
VerifiedJune 25, 2024 • Stayed at: 206, Loop: Loop 200
Nice campground and beautiful area but the sites are packed in tight and it’s a bit of a family party atmosphere on the weekends. Those that prefer a quieter campground should avoid.
Jane W
VerifiedJune 17, 2024 • Stayed at: 210, Loop: Loop 200
Big Spring has a really nice camping areas. The campsites were far enough apart and had very nice fire rings, tables and pads. The bathrooms were clean and the campground hosts were also very nice. We walked down to the current river which was beautiful as always and also went to the big spring and did a hike. We will be coming back!
Billy C
VerifiedJune 1, 2024 • Stayed at: 212, Loop: Loop 200
The campground roads were narrow and the sites were much closer together than the map suggested. The campsite views were of undergrowth rather than the river. Ants invaded our camper and mosquitoes attacked us outside. The spring was beautiful but the best part of the campground was leaving. We won't be back.
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.
Elevation: 138 feet
4.7 mi drive to downtown Van Buren (about 11 min)
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: September 2, 2026
