Featured amenities
Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates132 total sites
RV Sites
126 sites
Tent Sites
6 sites
About Big Spring
Number of accommodations: 132
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Water Activities
Year-round
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Spring
Water Activities
Summer
Water Activities
Fall
Water Activities
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Water and Hygiene
- 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
John V
VerifiedAugust 6, 2025 • Stayed at: 215, Loop: Loop 200
beautiful park. Our site was level. 30 amp electric. showers are a little way away. Showers and bathrooms very clean.
Brooke W
VerifiedAugust 7, 2025 • Stayed at: 204, Loop: Loop 200
Nice campground. It was close proximity to the water. There is a trail not to far off to walk down to the water.
Tim D
VerifiedAugust 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 203, Loop: Loop 200
We had a great time visiting. It was so nice to be able to cook outside with no mosquitoes. The place is beautiful and the springs were awesome to see, the water so blue. The park rangers were super nice and helpful and it was good to have them present. Knowing that you did not have to worry about anyone being unruly. This camp was as pleasant to visit and we will come back more often. The river access was great and everything was clean and natural.
Hank L
VerifiedAugust 11, 2025 • Stayed at: 216, Loop: Loop 200
When we arrived and saw how close all of the campsites where to each other we left and did not stay. I have camped at other state campgrounds in other states and have had space between campsites.
Elizabeth R
VerifiedAugust 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 302, Loop: Loop 300
Love van buren, MO and the big springs park but even better the current river!
Dave H
VerifiedAugust 19, 2025 • Stayed at: 301, Loop: Loop 300
While it would have been nice to have a site with electric it turned out better as the electric loop was busy and noisy.
The campground was very well kept, grass mown, asphalt in great shape, etc. The bathrooms could have been better...we only stayed on a Saturday night while passing through the area.
James K
VerifiedAugust 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 217, Loop: Loop 200
Nicely kept park. Can’t swim anywhere there🙈. National Park Service invested $ millions in renovations for CCC lodge and cottages which were finished two years ago AND NOT OPENED. It was VERY hot for our August visit. Swimming would have been nice. Travelled to Alley Springs Mill….very well kept and beautiful.
Katherine J
VerifiedAugust 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 212, Loop: Loop 200
Had a wonderful time we love going to Big Springs. However our campsite had really tall grass and could have been mowed before we got there. (Only Complaint) Rocky Falls is a fun destination. 😁
Laura M
VerifiedAugust 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 213, Loop: Loop 200
We stayed 3 nights in August. It was hot & buggy. The bugs were gnats & they were relentless. We never saw campground hosts but saw their spot. One morning, we had a very loud family packing up BLASTING music with curse words BEFORE 7:00. It was so loud. The next NIGHT, a group of young people were up drinking and playing very loud music until after 2:00 AM. I honestly was worried a fight was going to breakout because of how loud it was. The scenery is beautiful but the camping environment should have been different; it should be peaceful at a campground.
Marvin L
VerifiedAugust 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 218, Loop: Loop 200
We had a great camping experience (camper). All the facilities buildings were in excellent shape and very clean.
The camper sites are a bit on the smaller side and close together. It gets very busy during the evening but during the day when everyone is out on the river the campground is peaceful.
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