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
Daniel K
VerifiedJune 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 220, Loop: Loop 200
Nice facility. Clean bathrooms/shower house. Beautiful area
Emily M
VerifiedJune 25, 2021 • Stayed at: 218, Loop: Loop 200
Beyond beautiful well worth the drive. Sites seem a little weird like they are short but wide? So you have to park kinda sideways but it was a great time
Sue W
VerifiedJune 17, 2021 • Stayed at: 204, Loop: Loop 200
Signage to campground is very small and could be improved. Floating or Kayaking is a must.
Diane D
VerifiedJune 16, 2021 • Stayed at: 203, Loop: Loop 200
Big Spring campground was beautifully maintained. Each campsite was clean and spacious. The Big Spring is a must see. I enjoyed the easy access to the Current River.
Russell H
VerifiedJune 6, 2021 • Stayed at: 210, Loop: Loop 200
Restrooms were always clean. Quieted right down at 9:30pm. Peaceful Beautiful woodsy experience.
Michael H
VerifiedJune 5, 2021 • Stayed at: 206, Loop: Loop 200
How do you check in at park on mobile device??? Should be real simple.
Malinda Y
VerifiedMay 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 223, Loop: Loop 200
We loved the area. We are fairly new at this so it may be normal but there was no camp host? Would definitely go again.
Melony M
VerifiedMay 17, 2021 • Stayed at: 210, Loop: Loop 200
Big Spring is a beautiful campground. Personally think its great for Spring and fall camping. Summer camping may be a little hot with no great access to the river to cool off in. Already have our next reservation in the fall booked! The Spring is soooo amazing!
Stacie G
VerifiedMay 10, 2021 • Stayed at: 209, Loop: Loop 200
This state park campground have the most beautifully manicured landscape that I’ve ever seen. Everything was extremely clean including the bathrooms and the showers, although the showers could be updated, they were still extremely clean. The beauty of this campground is in the top 10 of our all-time visits to any state park campground.
The staff was exceptionally friendly but not overly intrusive. We definitely will be back, if I’m ever in this area this is the only place I’ll stay
Gregory H
VerifiedMay 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 213, Loop: Loop 200
Wonderful park but mosquitoes were very bad
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