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Average nightly rates132 total sites
RV Sites
126 sites
Tent Sites
6 sites
About Big Spring
Number of accommodations: 132
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Hiking
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Year-round
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Horseback Riding
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Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
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- Showers
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Rates, Sites & Availability
132 Sites Available
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132 Sites Available
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Reviews (302)
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.
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
Renee N
VerifiedJune 21, 2026 • Stayed at: 228, Loop: Loop 200
The electric sites are extremely small and there are very few of them. If you have a larger camper it is very difficult to be able to back into your site especially if someone else has something parked at the front of their site across from you. Don’t try to back up past the end of the asphalt even though there is gravel. They will call the sheriffs department on you. They will gladly allow you to have multiple tents smashing the grass down and killing it but don’t you dare put a tire on it! They will again call the sheriffs department on you. We have stayed at many wonderful corp of engineers campgrounds in the past 20 years of camping but this was by far our worst experience and we will not be back. Oh and if you bring your boat too good luck having a place to park it where you can keep an eye on it, you’ll have to decide between your boat and vehicle which one can stay at your site and which one has to be parked out on the main road for anyone to pilfer through.
John K
VerifiedJune 19, 2026 • Stayed at: 207, Loop: Loop 200
Facilities were clean , park was great
Ken C
VerifiedJune 16, 2026 • Stayed at: 217, Loop: Loop 200
Site 217. No water but the fill and dump station at the entrance to the park is easily accessible from both directions. Can’t see the river but there is access from several different points. It was about a 1.3 mile walk each way to the spring.
Jessica B
VerifiedJune 14, 2026 • Stayed at: 219, Loop: Loop 200
Clean, quiet and the river was close enough we could walk to it while carrying chairs and bags. We attended the ranger led events in the evening and they were very informative and fun. We will be back.
Tammy W
VerifiedJune 14, 2026 • Stayed at: 205, Loop: Loop 200
When we arrived at the campground was packed. We drove around to check out our site. When we saw how awful the conditions were, we decided to leave. I love big spring. It is so beautiful there. But the campground was small and cramped and no shade. We had to drive back into Van Buren and pay $65 to camp somewhere else.
Roy S
VerifiedJune 12, 2026 • Stayed at: 208, Loop: Loop 200
The campground was clean and well maintained. The bathroom was also very clean. The shower house could have been cleaner, but it was okay. The setting is gorgeous. I got up early and had the spring to myself and it was so peaceful. We floated the current and enjoyed wonderful summer activities. The campsites were perfect for our small camper and a tent.
The staff I encountered were friendly and knowledgeable.
DeAnne R
VerifiedJune 11, 2026 • Stayed at: 214, Loop: Loop 200
This campground is very clean and well planned out. There is a good amount of spacing between the sites, the roads are well maintained, and the sites are level. The hot showers were clean and a welcome bonus.
Lisa F
VerifiedJune 11, 2026 • Stayed at: 212, Loop: Loop 200
Beautiful shaded campground on the banks of the beautiful Current River. Facilities were all very clean. Just wish it had water hook ups!
Joseph R
VerifiedJune 10, 2026 • Stayed at: 210, Loop: Loop 200
Beautiful place and Campground is very nice. We only booked it for one night on our way to the Smoky Mountains and wished we would have stayed at least 2 nights to look around the area. Big Spring is awesome to see!
JoAnne J
VerifiedJune 7, 2026 • Stayed at: 205, Loop: Loop 200
Beautiful area and the others campers were great. My Chihuahuas were a big hit with the kids mostly and adults.
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.
Big Spring Campground is accessible via Missouri Highway 103, which connects to the nearby town of Van Buren.
Elevation: 138 feet
4.7 mi drive to downtown Van Buren (about 11 min)
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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Last updated: September 2, 2026
