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

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

Nearby Activities & Attractions

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Water Activities

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
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
No Hookups
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🚐 102, Loop: Loop 100
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🚐 103, Loop: Loop 100
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🚐 104, Loop: Loop 100
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🚐 117, Loop: Loop 100
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🚐 119, Loop: Loop 100
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🚐 123, Loop: Loop 100
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🚐 124, Loop: Loop 100
No Hookups
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🚐 202, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
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Electric Only
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Electric Only
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Electric Only
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Electric Only
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Electric Only
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🚐 210, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
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🚐 211, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
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🚐 212, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
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Electric Only
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Electric Only
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Electric Only
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Electric Only
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🚐 220, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
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Electric Only
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🚐 222, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
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🚐 223, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
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🚐 224, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
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🚐 225, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
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Electric Only
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🚐 227, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
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🚐 228, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
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🚐 229, Loop: Loop 200
Electric Only
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⛺ 301, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
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⛺ 302, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
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⛺ 303, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
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⛺ 304, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
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⛺ 305, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
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⛺ 306, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
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⛺ 307, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
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⛺ 308, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
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⛺ 309, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
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🚐 310, Loop: Loop 300
No Hookups
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⛺ 311, Loop: Loop 300
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
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🚐 312, Loop: Loop 300
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🚐 313, Loop: Loop 300
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🚐 314, Loop: Loop 300
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🚐 315, Loop: Loop 300
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🚐 408, Loop: Loop 400
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🚐 503, Loop: Loop 500
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🚐 618, Loop: Loop 600
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🚐 619, Loop: Loop 600
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🚐 620, Loop: Loop 600
No Hookups
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⛺ G02, Loop: Big Spring Group Sites
45 guests · Campfire
Price not available
⛺ G03, Loop: Chub Hollow/Groupsite #3
45 guests · Campfire
Price not available

Reviews (239)

Verified Only

What Guests Are Saying

Big Spring Campground offers a beautiful and peaceful setting with stunning natural springs, clean facilities, and hot showers, making it a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts. While some reviews noted maintenance issues, such as poorly placed picnic tables and unclean fire pits, many visitors appreciated the spaciousness, cleanliness, and convenience to nearby attractions like Van Buren. Overall, guests enjoyed their experiences and expressed a desire to return, highlighting the campground's charm and natural beauty.

Review Summary

4.1
239 reviews
5
54.0%
129
4
23.4%
56
3
8.8%
21
2
8.8%
21
1
5.0%
12

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.

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

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!

Andy W

Verified

October 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 210, Loop: Loop 200

5

Spring is easy to access and awe-inspiring. CCC lodge is pretty awesome also. Campground was nice.

Mark H

October 23, 2025

4

The park maintenance employee made sure to have the hot showers turned on, as it was close to the end of the season

Christopher D

Verified

October 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 212, Loop: Loop 200

5

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.

Dave W

Verified

October 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 307, Loop: Loop 300

4

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.

Heather M

Verified

October 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 214, Loop: Loop 200

3

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.

Erica L

Verified

October 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 407, Loop: Loop 400

5

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!

pieter l

Verified

October 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 212, Loop: Loop 200

5

Staff was very helpful.

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.

Latitude & Longitude: 36.9625 / -90.9831

Elevation: 138 feet

Map of Big Spring location at Van Buren, MO, United States
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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: June 13, 2026

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