OutReserve

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

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

Campground Amenities

  • Showers
    Showers

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

Sites & Availability

132 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 101, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 102, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 103, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 104, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 105, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 106, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 107, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 108, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 109, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 110, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 111, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 112, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 113, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 114, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 115, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 116, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 117, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 118, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 119, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 120, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 121, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 122, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 123, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 124, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 202, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 203, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 204, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 205, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 206, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 207, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 208, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 209, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 210, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 211, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 212, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 213, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 214, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 215, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 216, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 217, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 218, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 219, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 220, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 221, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 222, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 223, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 224, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 225, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 226, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 227, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 228, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
🚐 229, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
$30.00
/ per night
⛺ 301, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
⛺ 302, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
⛺ 303, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
⛺ 304, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
⛺ 305, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
⛺ 306, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
⛺ 307, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
⛺ 308, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
⛺ 309, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 310, Loop: Loop 300
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
⛺ 311, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 312, Loop: Loop 300
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 313, Loop: Loop 300
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 314, Loop: Loop 300
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 315, Loop: Loop 300
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 316, Loop: Loop 300
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 317, Loop: Loop 300
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 318, Loop: Loop 300
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 319, Loop: Loop 300
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 401, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 402, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 403, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 404, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 405, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 406, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 407, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 408, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 409, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 410, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 411, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 412, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 413, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 414, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 415, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 416, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 417, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 418, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 419, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 420, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 421, Loop: Loop 400
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 501, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 502, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 503, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 504, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 505, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 506, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 507, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 508, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 509, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 510, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 511, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 512, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 513, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 514, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 515, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 516, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 517, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 518, Loop: Loop 500
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 601, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 602, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 603, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 604, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 605, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 606, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 607, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 608, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 609, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 610, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 611, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 612, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 613, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 614, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 615, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 616, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 617, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 618, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 619, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 620, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
⛺ G02, Loop: Big Spring Group Sites
45 guests · Campfire
$65.00
/ per night
⛺ G03, Loop: Chub Hollow/Groupsite #3
45 guests · Campfire
$65.00
/ per night

Reviews (236)

Verified Only

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

4.1
236 reviews
5
54.7%
129
4
22.9%
54
3
8.9%
21
2
8.5%
20
1
5.1%
12

Elena N

Verified

December 1, 2025 • Stayed at: 212, Loop: Loop 200

5

Great spot for late fall visit. Trees super pretty. Spot 212 perfect for a walk down to the river. Bathrooms close by and shower house a quick drive over.

David B

Verified

November 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 211, Loop: Loop 200

5

Always a great experience.

Kathleen W

Verified

November 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 205, Loop: Loop 200

5

We came in early November. only a few campers around, beautiful weather, warm days, cool nights. Since we were in an RV, and self-contained, the lack of shower and toilet was not a problem. We enjoyed the colrs and full moon. I love Autumn, and this was a chance to see a part of Missouri I'd never seen before.

James D

Verified

November 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 207, Loop: Loop 200

5

Big Spring is one of Missouri’s most beautiful natural wonders — a must-see if you’re anywhere near the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The sheer power and clarity of the water are breathtaking; it’s amazing to stand by the spring and watch gallons rush out of the rock every second.

The park area is peaceful and well-kept, perfect for families, photographers, or anyone who just wants to unplug for a while. There are picnic tables, short walking trails, and a scenic overlook along the river that’s great for pictures.

If you enjoy the outdoors, bring sturdy shoes for the trails and a camera for the blue-green water near the mouth of the spring — it’s stunning in early morning light. Canoeing, kayaking, and tubing are also popular nearby on the Current River, and Van Buren has small local diners worth checking out after a day on the water.

Noah W

Verified

November 5, 2025 • Stayed at: 411, Loop: Loop 400

5

Amazing. Amazing. BEAUTIFUL. Amazing.

Brandy H

Verified

November 3, 2025 • Stayed at: 216, Loop: Loop 200

5

Definitely a place I would love to come back to. It was the end of October so it was empty. Freshly paved roads and pads. The only thing was the picnic table and firepit are on the driverside when backed in, so kinda awkward.

Wayne H

Verified

October 30, 2025 • Stayed at: 226, Loop: Loop 200

5

This was our third visit to Big Spring. Our campsite was quite level and the electrical power was good. There aren't very many electrical sites compared to non-electric, and probably more than half were occupied. The rest of the campground was mostly empty,. The road getting there is quite hilly and none too wide, but for us it is worth the drive. The spring is awesome. The size of the waves it produces is impressive. This was an overnight stop for us on a cross-country trip so we didn't explore the area.

Jesse O

Verified

October 28, 2025 • Stayed at: 225, Loop: Loop 200

4

Peaceful setting. Note that Campground is being renovated - re-leveling campsites and resurfacing roads

S M

Verified

October 28, 2025 • Stayed at: 202, Loop: Loop 200

5

a geologic marvel. staff helped me do my first online booking at recreation.gov. they were very helpful. what a neat area.

Jeff J

Verified

October 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 103, Loop: Loop 100

5

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!

Location Big Spring

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

Latitude & Longitude: 36.9625 / -90.9831

Elevation: 138 feet

Map of Big Spring location at Van Buren, MO, United States
Open on Google Maps Open on Apple Maps

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.)

Nearby Campgrounds

Watercress
Closed for Season

Watercress

Poplar Bluff, MO

***Watercress sustained substantial damage to the pavilions during the 2017 flood, they are not reservable at this time, however the boat ramp is still open for public use.*** Watercress Campgrou...
Pinewoods Lake Rec Area
Closed for Season

Pinewoods Lake Rec Area

Poplar Bluff, MO

Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area sits next to Pinewoods Lake in southeastern Missouri. It is an ideal location to enjoy lake fishing and scenic trails.
Webb Creek Park
Closed for Season

Webb Creek Park

Piedmont, MO

Webb Creek Campground on Clearwater Lake greets visitors with excellent camping, fishing, swimming, boating and picnicking opportunities. Water sport enthusiasts love the lakes diverse offerings, ...

3.5 (22)

From $14/night

Nearby destinations

Van Buren
Ellsinore
Winona