Featured amenities
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
Diana B
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 217, Loop: Loop 200
Very nice campground, you can tell it is older because it is hard to fit today’s size campers in some of the spots. Made for the small campers. It was clean and taken care of. We were there Columbus weekend so quiet for the most part.
Lisa J
January 16, 2020
I know the NPS is struggling now with budget cuts, but the facility has been flooded out and is currently under water. So with that said if there is nothing there but a slab of concrete should it be rented out as a facility??
DAVID O
VerifiedJanuary 15, 2020 • Stayed at: G02, Loop: Big Spring Group Sites
Our group camping experience was very good. However, after renting rafts at the neighboring community, we were very disappointed in our rafting outing on the river... way too many motor boats in that area, downright dangerous for tubing and rafting!
Tina B
VerifiedJanuary 14, 2020 • Stayed at: 216, Loop: Loop 200
The spring is absolutely beautiful, the hiking trails are well marked. The rangers (esp. Sean) were friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. The campground itself is a little older and there has been some flooding in the past years, evidence of the flood damage is still visible. The shower house is older as well and could use updating. Overall we had a good experience.
RICHARD L
VerifiedJanuary 11, 2020 • Stayed at: 210, Loop: Loop 200
Great place to vacation. Really enjoyed the river.
Erica W
VerifiedJanuary 11, 2020 • Stayed at: 229, Loop: Loop 200
First time there. It was easy; clean; the couple that was their monitoring the campsites were friendly and helpful. We will definitely be back during the summer to do more floating and love the campsite we were at great location and a quick walk down to current river
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.) |