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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
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Year-round
Hiking
Horseback Riding
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Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
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- Showers
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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
douglas s
VerifiedOctober 7, 2025 • Stayed at: 216, Loop: Loop 200
We were unable to get to the campground due to road paving. After 3 miles of hills and curvers we found the road blocked with no warning.
After calling the office, we were advised to turn around and recover the 3 rugged miles and find a church on the corner of the new road to take 3 more miles to the campground.
We never saw the church or road, we headed for home.
I believe that staff should have notified us by email as to the closure, nothing was sent or received by us.
Very bad experience.
pieter l
VerifiedOctober 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 212, Loop: Loop 200
Staff was very helpful.
Erica L
VerifiedOctober 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 407, Loop: Loop 400
We love camping at Big Spring. The gravel bars are wonderful. Great place for swimming! The hot showers are a great amenity to have while camping. We will return!
Heather M
VerifiedOctober 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 214, Loop: Loop 200
We moved our spot three times since after arriving we realized we would be in full sun. Then we found a better spot with partial day shade, but moved again to help accommodate another camper who needed a larger spot. We ended up closer to the river and it was a great location with lots of shade. The bathrooms were clean. I regretted not bringing the e bikes to ride to the showers and to Big Spring. The trails to the river cut through people’s camp sites and that felt a little awkward. There were little gnats on the first day and tons of flies on another, but the area was so pretty and conveniently located to the nearest town for groceries and river float activities.
Dave W
VerifiedOctober 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 307, Loop: Loop 300
Our visit occurred during shutdown. We saw very little official presence. The bathrooms were clean but the campground was unmowed. The spring itself was very impressive. We didn't stop at the entrance station since it was closed. It would have been nice to have had trail maps posted. Most of the campsites could not accommodate larger RVs or trailers. The sites were wide enough so that the trailer could be dropped and the tow vehicle park next.
Christopher D
VerifiedOctober 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 212, Loop: Loop 200
Our trip was after Labor Day so the campground was not very populated. I like camping in the trees and grass so close to the river. Lots of trails to and from the river. The Spring itself is impressive. Bathroom facilities were clean and functional. Van Buren is a neat little town that can be explored in a couple hours.
Mark H
October 23, 2025
The park maintenance employee made sure to have the hot showers turned on, as it was close to the end of the season
Andy W
VerifiedOctober 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 210, Loop: Loop 200
Spring is easy to access and awe-inspiring. CCC lodge is pretty awesome also. Campground was nice.
Jeff J
VerifiedOctober 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 103, Loop: Loop 100
Big Spring Campground had a great dark sky festival, the newly paved campground loop was nice, the bathrooms were clean despite the USG shutdown, and the hot showers were nice!
Jesse O
VerifiedOctober 28, 2025 • Stayed at: 225, Loop: Loop 200
Peaceful setting. Note that Campground is being renovated - re-leveling campsites and resurfacing roads
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
