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About Big Spring
Number of accommodations: 132
Campground Amenities
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Showers
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
132 Sites Available
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132 Sites Available
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Reviews (236)
What Guests Are Saying
Big Spring Campground is a peaceful and well-maintained location, known for its beautiful spring and river, making it ideal for outdoor activities such as fishing, canoeing, and hiking. Visitors appreciate the clean facilities, helpful staff, and the serene atmosphere, especially during less crowded times. While some guests noted the lack of water and electric hook-ups at sites and occasional noise from other campers, many expressed a strong desire to return for the natural beauty and overall enjoyable experience.
What Guests Are Saying
Big Spring Campground is a peaceful and well-maintained location, known for its beautiful spring and river, making it ideal for outdoor activities such as fishing, canoeing, and hiking. Visitors appreciate the clean facilities, helpful staff, and the serene atmosphere, especially during less crowded times. While some guests noted the lack of water and electric hook-ups at sites and occasional noise from other campers, many expressed a strong desire to return for the natural beauty and overall enjoyable experience.
Review Summary
PJ B
VerifiedOctober 12, 2020 • Stayed at: 227, Loop: Loop 200
We had reservations for 5 night's but ended up staying 6. Gorgeous country and Big Spring was amazing. We also traveled to Blue Spring and Rocky Falls. My service dog and I were able to participate in the B.A.R.K program and that was fun. We hiked some trails and drove around quite a lot . Yes the campsites are a little small and close together but we immensely enjoyed our time and hope to return next year. The bathroom in loop 200 was very clean. The shower house was FILTHY, the worst I've experienced at any campground. That's why I only gave it 4 stars. Rangers at the head quarter's in Van Buren were very helpful. Lot's to see and do in all of the scenic Riverways!!
Timothy J
VerifiedOctober 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 207, Loop: Loop 200
beautiful quite park we enjoyed while passing through and back from Montana to Florida. We stayed in a Trailer and the camp sites are grassy with lovey large trees. The spring is quite a wonder.
Katie C
VerifiedOctober 5, 2020 • Stayed at: 216, Loop: Loop 200
The spring and surrounding recreation areas were beautiful. The bathrooms at circle 200 were nice, new and clean. However the shower house was by far the most disgusting one we have ever experienced. Bugs and webs everywhere. Rusty partitions and mold throughout. The drains were clogged so you had the stand in water. Just gross.
David B
VerifiedOctober 5, 2020 • Stayed at: 226, Loop: Loop 200
Beautiful park,amazing spring,will definitely be back.
Bob and Cheryl S
VerifiedSeptember 26, 2020 • Stayed at: 108, Loop: Loop 100
Beautiful place right on the river
Christopher F
VerifiedSeptember 20, 2020 • Stayed at: 113, Loop: Loop 100
The bit of the river at the 100 camping look is heaven to set up a chair, soak your feet and watch it go by. The bathrooms were on the 200 loop, but they are were clean. We enjoyed our stay.
Will S
VerifiedSeptember 18, 2020 • Stayed at: 223, Loop: Loop 200
Amazing campground. The spring is amazing and very beautiful. The river was easily accessible and very nice. Clean but cold water. Everyone was very nice and the facilities were clean and easily accessible.
The campground is stunningly beautiful as is the entire area. We drove through a lot of the park roads. The overlooks are very overgrown now but there are a couple with stunning views. The hidden mountain ponds were full of frogs.
Mary B
VerifiedSeptember 14, 2020 • Stayed at: 214, Loop: Loop 200
Big Springs is a nice park. The new bathrooms are very nice in Loop 2. The sites are kind of short, but that is due to it being built many, many years ago. The only complaint I have is that the Hot Shower House was dirty, with moldy shower curtains. I don't think they were thoroughly cleaned the 6 days we were there. Either the bathroom staff is lacking or they are understaffed.
Mary L
VerifiedAugust 22, 2020 • Stayed at: 225, Loop: Loop 200
A walk around Big Springs is a must.
Allen C
August 12, 2020
We really enjoyed our stay at Big Springs. We were able to get one of the group sites (G02) and it was a great spot. The bathrooms were really close, and even though it rained, the site didn't have any standing water. Our group of 20 had a wonderful time there, and Big Spring and the river where just a short distance away. The only complaint any of us had was that we didn't see any easy access to the river from the campground area. There was one path behind the bathrooms that we found, but it was way too overgrown for people to traverse. Other than that, wonderful spot.
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 36.9625 / -90.9831
Elevation: 138 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| General |
50-amp electric hookups are now available in the 200 loop only (bring converters if necessary). |
| General |
There is no direct water hook up at the campsites. You may fill your tanks at the station near the front entrance. |
| General |
There are no sewer hookups. A dump station is available at the campground entrance. |
| General |
Two tents or 1 RV and 1 tent per site only on Standard Family sites |
| General |
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. |
| General |
No glass bottled beverages are allowed in tubes or non-motorized vessels |
| General |
All reservations and reservation changes MUST be completed through the Recreation.gov user profile or by calling toll free 1+877-444-6777. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
Free standing Hammocks only. NO hammocks are allowed to be tied to trees. |
| General |
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.) |
