Big Spring

Po Box 490, Van Buren, Missouri, United States

Big Spring flows along it's tree and moss-lined banks
Historic Big Spring Lodge retaining walls and drinking fountain before restoration
Big Spring on a cold fall morning with mist
Big Spring flows along it's tree and moss-lined banks preview

Featured amenities

Showers Showers

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

132 total sites

RV Sites

126 sites

Tent Sites

6 sites

About Big Spring

In the rolling, forested landscape of Big Spring, two of America's most beautiful spring-fed rivers combine to make up the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. As the first national park area to protect a wild river system, visitors have plenty of scenic water activities to enjoy as well as hiking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing.

Number of accommodations: 132

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Horseback Riding

Horseback Riding

Year-round
Water Activities

Water Activities

Spring Summer Fall

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Apr 15 to Oct 15

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Showers Showers
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Showers
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

132 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 101, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 102, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 103, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 104, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 105, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 106, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 107, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 108, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 109, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 110, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 111, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 112, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 113, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 114, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 115, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 116, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 117, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 118, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 119, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 120, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 121, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 122, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 123, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 124, Loop: Loop 100 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 202, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 203, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 204, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 205, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 206, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 207, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 208, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 209, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 210, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 211, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 212, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 213, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 214, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 215, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 216, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 217, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 218, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 219, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 220, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 221, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 222, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 223, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 224, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 225, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 226, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 227, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 228, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 229, Loop: Loop 200 RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 301, Loop: Loop 300 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
⛺ 302, Loop: Loop 300 Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
⛺ 303, Loop: Loop 300 Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 304, Loop: Loop 300 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 305, Loop: Loop 300 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 306, Loop: Loop 300 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
⛺ 307, Loop: Loop 300 Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 308, Loop: Loop 300 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 309, Loop: Loop 300 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 310, Loop: Loop 300 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
⛺ 311, Loop: Loop 300 Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 312, Loop: Loop 300 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 313, Loop: Loop 300 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 314, Loop: Loop 300 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 315, Loop: Loop 300 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 316, Loop: Loop 300 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 317, Loop: Loop 300 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 318, Loop: Loop 300 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 319, Loop: Loop 300 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 401, Loop: Loop 400 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 402, Loop: Loop 400 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 403, Loop: Loop 400 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 404, Loop: Loop 400 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 405, Loop: Loop 400 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 406, Loop: Loop 400 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 407, Loop: Loop 400 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 408, Loop: Loop 400 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 409, Loop: Loop 400 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 410, Loop: Loop 400 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 411, Loop: Loop 400 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 412, Loop: Loop 400 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 413, Loop: Loop 400 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 414, Loop: Loop 400 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 415, Loop: Loop 400 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 416, Loop: Loop 400 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 417, Loop: Loop 400 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 418, Loop: Loop 400 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 419, Loop: Loop 400 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 420, Loop: Loop 400 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 421, Loop: Loop 400 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 501, Loop: Loop 500 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 502, Loop: Loop 500 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 503, Loop: Loop 500 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 504, Loop: Loop 500 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 505, Loop: Loop 500 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 506, Loop: Loop 500 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 507, Loop: Loop 500 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 508, Loop: Loop 500 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 509, Loop: Loop 500 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 510, Loop: Loop 500 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 511, Loop: Loop 500 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 512, Loop: Loop 500 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 513, Loop: Loop 500 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 514, Loop: Loop 500 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 515, Loop: Loop 500 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 516, Loop: Loop 500 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 517, Loop: Loop 500 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 518, Loop: Loop 500 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 601, Loop: Loop 600 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 602, Loop: Loop 600 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 603, Loop: Loop 600 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 604, Loop: Loop 600 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 605, Loop: Loop 600 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 606, Loop: Loop 600 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 607, Loop: Loop 600 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 608, Loop: Loop 600 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 609, Loop: Loop 600 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 610, Loop: Loop 600 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 611, Loop: Loop 600 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 612, Loop: Loop 600 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 613, Loop: Loop 600 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 614, Loop: Loop 600 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 615, Loop: Loop 600 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 616, Loop: Loop 600 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 617, Loop: Loop 600 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 618, Loop: Loop 600 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 619, Loop: Loop 600 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 620, Loop: Loop 600 RV
No Hookups
Price not available
⛺ G02, Loop: Big Spring Group Sites Tent
45 guests · Campfire
Price not available
⛺ G03, Loop: Chub Hollow/Groupsite #3 Tent
45 guests · Campfire
Price not available

Reviews (302)

Verified Only

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

4.2
302 reviews
5
55.3%
167
4
23.2%
70
3
9.3%
28
2
7.0%
21
1
5.3%
16

Janice B

Verified

July 19, 2026 • Stayed at: 203, Loop: Loop 200

5

We love camping at Big Springs! We look forward to being here each year. The Springs are beautiful. It is so peaceful here. The water can be a bit chilly but, it is so clean and clear. Love, love love it here!

Mehmed & Amra K

Verified

July 19, 2026 • Stayed at: 208, Loop: Loop 200

4

Very crowded because and not enough electric sites but beautiful place. Last twenty years we are praying to get more electric sites. Not enough space for trailer and truck to park. Not easy to get to the beach. No stairs and very steep.

Patrick B

Verified

July 21, 2026 • Stayed at: 310, Loop: Loop 300

4

Great camping good staff

Kyle C

Verified

July 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 420, Loop: Loop 400

5

The campground was well kept and very clean. The amenities were in good shape and well kept. The entire campsite and area was well kept and all of the rangers that we interacted with were very friendly and informative. We floated all the way down the river right to the campsite and the entire process was very pleasant. We will absolutely be back to camp again!

Nancy M

Verified

July 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 221, Loop: Loop 200

3

The Park and the surrounding area were just beautiful. While we were there it was extremely HOT. Would have loved to have sat in the river to cool down. Everyone in our group was 65+ years old and we never found a place within the park that felt safe for us to enter the water. The place by the campground had steps but then you had to use a rope to get down further. Not safe!

Gregory W

Verified

July 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 209, Loop: Loop 200

4

We love camping here every year. We love riding bikes and checking out the deer at night in the fields with our grandkids. We wish there were more electric spots to camp on. Jolly Cone is a nice place to get a bite to eat too.

Marco B

Verified

August 2, 2026 • Stayed at: 315, Loop: Loop 300

4

Very nice quiet spot next to the river which is perfect for a swim. Though the bathrooms are not cleaned the two nights we were staying there.

Kathy C

Verified

August 3, 2026 • Stayed at: 207, Loop: Loop 200

3

The shower houses were very nasty. They have mold in them!! We have been coming there for 23yrs and you have finally built showers and bath rooms and are very nice compared to what they used to be but there is mold in the showers already and no garbage cans to throw stuff away in showers except the bathrooms. Also in the primitive site why didn't they rebuild the toilet house? The one that is close to the electric site. Also we did not have a camp host this year only part of our stay just wondering what was going there?

Glenn B

Verified

August 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 206, Loop: Loop 200

5

When we are traveling, it is always nice to find a rec.gov park for an overnight stay. Big Spring CG was quiet, clean and nicely maintained. We did not use the restrooms. We were able to fill our fresh tank and dump on the way out. Our site was 206 and we were able to get leveled up without dropping out travel trailer. This section was very busy because it has electric and it was very hot on July 27. Many people seemed to be enjoying the river. We like to hike but it was really too hot for us. We wanted to see the spring and we were able to do that in the morning by driving to it with our camper. The spring is an unforgettable experience-gushing out 288 million gallons a day. This made our stop here even more worthwhile. We were traveling on US 60 and our GPS had us turn on 102 I think to enter the park. There is a church there. When we left we went out on 103 which is a better and faster route. Trust the reviews that say don't turn at the church!

Douglas B

Verified

August 6, 2026 • Stayed at: 216, Loop: Loop 200

3

Arrived at campground (very hot). 30amp breaker not functional. No staff or host available to repair. Thank goodness I was able to find a 50amp adapter in my gear. After day 2, dump station was posted as out of order and stayed that way during the remainder of our stay. Restrooms were poorly maintained and dirty.

A beautiful park and location.

Location Big Spring

Address:
Po Box 490
Van Buren, MO, 63965
United States

Highway access

Big Spring Campground is accessible via Missouri Highway 103, which connects to the nearby town of Van Buren.

Elevation: 138 feet

Distance to downtown

4.7 mi drive to downtown Van Buren (about 11 min)

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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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Nearby destinations

Van Buren
Ellsinore
Winona

Last updated: September 2, 2026

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