Big Spring Campground, near Van Buren, Missouri, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying some modern conveniences. The campground is known for its spacious sites and well-kept amenities, making it a comfortable base for your outdoor adventures.

Visitors rave about the stunning Big Spring, which flows an impressive 226 million gallons a day. The area is perfect for hiking, swimming, and kayaking, with trails that lead right to the river. One camper noted, “The campground is beautifully manicured and has spacious sites and many options,” highlighting the well-maintained environment.

You’ll find electric hookups available, along with picnic tables and fire pits for those cozy campfire evenings. While some amenities like showers may not always be operational, the overall experience remains top-notch, as one reviewer mentioned, “I can't wait for the cabins to be remodeled!” 

If you’re up for some exploration, the surrounding Ozark National Scenic Riverway offers a wealth of outdoor activities, from fishing to floating down the Current River. With its picturesque scenery and friendly atmosphere, Big Spring Campground is a great choice for a memorable camping experience.

## Overview

 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.
## Recreation

 The Current River flows past the campground, offering excellent canoeing, tubing, swimming and fishing. Over 130 miles (209 km) of waterways exist within the park. Canoe and kayak rentals and outfitters can be found nearby. Several miles of hiking and horseback riding trails crisscross the region, include the Alley Overlook Trail, Chubb Hollow Trail, Ozark Trail, Cave Spring Trail and Big Springs Trail. 
## Natural Features

 The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is known for its caves, springs, sinkholes and losing streams, and features over 300 identified caves within its boundaries. The caves range in size from a rock overhang to almost seven miles of identified passages. Eight caves, including an open sinkhole, have been designated as outstanding natural features. The Ozark forest is mostly White oak and Shortleaf pine, Missouri's only native pine species. Along the rivers, Sycamore, Cottonwood, River birch and maples are common. Redbud and dogwoods are also abundant, putting on a spectacular show during most spring months. 
## Contact Info

 This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (573) 323-4236. 
## Nearby Attractions

 Scenic Big Spring is the largest freshwater spring in North America and produces an outflow of 280 million gallons a day. Round Spring Cave is nearby, with ranger-guided tours offered daily during summer months. Historic and picturesque Alley Mill and Alley Spring are also nearby. The mill is open daily in the summer and ranger-guided tours are available upon request.

Big Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Van Buren. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Missouri camping adventure.

Van Buren

The Best Camping Near Van Buren, Missouri

Very neat to see! Water bubbling outta the ground making a whole River! Campground was nice , limited electric spots but loads of primitive sites. The campground is in the middle of a bunch of other parks so plenty to do. What was sorta depressing was all the park buildings that are not being kept up or used. Our parks are in trouble :(

The Mist

The water here comes from a spring so it is extremely clear and COLD! You can walk up right on top of where the spring comes out! But no swimming! Current is crazy fast! 

So clear

Great place to have a picnic lunch and watch the spring bubble up.

Awesome spring

Big spring is big blue and beautiful...camp spots have a dispersed feel. Close to other amenities

Quiet, large, next to Current River in NPS managed area

For Labor Day we stayed at **Big Spring State Park CG**, near Van Buren, Missouri which is part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. 

We arrived Friday afternoon and set up camp in the 100 loop, which are primitive campsites with fire ring, picnic table and lantern hook. Nice shady outer ring with plenty of room to set up your area. The inner ring is less private and lacking in shade. There are trails from the back sites to the river and the wading/swimming was nice. Where your hiking shoes to get there, and pack your water shoes you’ll probably want them for the rocky river bottom. 

 In May 2017 the area had major flooding. ( A Park Ranger put on a very informative slide show about it Friday evening) The park is still in the process of rebuilding many of its structures. That being said there are porta pots in two of the campground loops and some of the trails are closed still. The actual showerhouse was extremely busy and not well maintained. Spiders galore, three claustrophobic shower stalls (one was inoperable) with questionable cleanliness and the configuration is just weird. I’ve said it before , it’s unfortunate that the state does not keep these awesome areas maintained. 

The campground was full but we still had privacy and the noise was never intrusive on our activities. 

Big Spring is pretty awesome. There is a trail that circles up around the spring to the far side and several areas to take pictures from. It’s worth the visit to see the spring. We will visit again but I think I will take my field shower!

Needs some State government love

**Big Spring**, _Ozark National Scenic River_ is one of many springs to visit in this area.

The river is very well used by the party crowd, several of the rocky sand bars are occupied by RV group sites playing loud music and obvious alcoholic beverage consumption. I’m not against a good time but the trash they leave and their obvious disregard for the preservation of natural sites is not conducive the the purpose of the conservation effort. It is still possible to enjoy the area and there are places to get away from the crowd.

In 2017 the area had a major flood and renovations are slow. There are porta pots in some of the campgrounds and the showerhouse is in bad shape. There are three campground areas and a group site near the spring. They have a grill, fire ring and lantern pole. The sites are good sized and depending on which site your in you will have shade and privacy. Several are near short trails to the river. Some of the trails are still closed and other areas may never open back up.

We waded with water shoes on and hiked to several locations. I think I will come back in the colder months when the flow of tourist has lessened and the sites are less traveled.

It is a destination location. There is a nice little collection of stores in the area. With a coffee shop and apparel store to name a few. That area is frequented by the equestrian crowd but everyone is welcome.

We drove through Eminence, Missouri several times. It is one of the main intersections to the different areas. There are two restaurants, sit down and drive up plus a Sinclair for fuel.

Bring your water craft and keep your tank on full there is a lot to see in the area with a few miles in between.

Worth a month of vacation time

Love visiting this area. **Big Spring Campgrounds** near Van Buren, MO is still being renovated after the flood in 2017\.

That being said porta pots are in evidence but they were clean. The showerhouse is crowded and old. The only one for the entire campground and three shower stalls. You have room to spread out in your site, privacy andshade if your on the outer loop. A short walk to the river to wade or swim but there is a good current so be aware and wear water shoes.

Moist

It’s a great place on the current river to camp then go floating. Make sure you stop at the jolly cone for some great food.

Great place

It was a bit flooded in this area over this past weekend, but it is still worth the drive and visit! So much beauty 

Sooo beautiful!

We stayed at the Big Spring Campground for a quick weekend away. Only 2.5 hr drive for us. The Big Spring is really an impressive sight. 

  

The NPS Staff was very friendly and did not mind all my questions about the park or spring or wildlife. They had a presentation in the Amphitheater while we were there but missed it cause the kids were just enjoying running around so much. 

  

Short hikes on some maintained sand trails from the campgrounds to the river. I regretted not bringing my water shoes for the river, rock bottom.

  

The whole place looked well maintained, some of the back campsites possibly under renovation. We were in the 400 loop and they had new fire rings with gravel pads around them installed recently. 

  

Plenty of deadfall to collect for firewood which was great since you cannot bring in your own firewood.

What a Fun Weekend

The Big Spring is really pretty and we appreciated learning about the geology of the area. The campsites were tight. The pads were small and short. Campers had to part their vehicles on the grass. There were no private campsites that I observed. (I always appreciate some foliage and privacy between campsites so you feel like you are camping in nature rather than a parking lot. During the week there were less campers so you felt like you had some space but on the weekend it was cramped with cars and trailers. 

  

I did not find the access to the river easy or convenient. We were in t he 200 loop. There was an access off the 100 loop that had stairs and then a short cliff (say 10 feet high?) with a rope that you had to hang on to while you backed down the cliff then waded across some shallow water. Not very conducive to transporting supplies for a day at the river. The second access off the three hundred loop was a bit easier to negotiate. It involved a100 yard (guesstimate) walk in the woods through deep sand then an easier scale down a bank and across a large gravel bar to reach the river. The water was clear and refreshing. Good fishing and a nice swim area. The downside for me was the very fast motor boats that would speed by. The drivers of the boats would not slow down for kayaks or people tubing. This behavior was surprising to me although I was told that this is normal on Missouri rivers and lakes. 

  

Considering the motorized boats and the more challenging access to the river, I think I prefer Sam A Baker and Buffalo Point AK over this campground.

Beautiful spring. Tight campspots. Lots of motor boats.

Gorgeous quiet area by the river. Great easy hiking. We stayed at group camp and it was just my husband, me and our dog. 

Perfect Tent Primative 

I had a great time but it was off season. In peak times it would be easy to be stacked on stacks ...

Hit or maybe miss

We enjoyed clean well-maintained bathrooms.
Men’s showers were hot and the women’s were cold!
The grass was mown well, so it was easier to tent camp.
Staff was very helpful and accommodating.
Scenery was spectacular.

Oh-Ozarks

The people of Missouri gave a wonderful gift to the people of the United States.  A gift I did not know about or had never heard of till we made the decision to camp in Missouri.

Big Springs was Missouri's first state park.  The CCC did a lot of construction on the park and so much of the buildings are still there.  In much need of repair and I do hope the federal government will restore.  Big Spring is off of Missouri Highway 160.  Turn onto State Route 103 to Big Spring.  The spring has a wheelchair accessible pathway that will lead right to the spring.

The campground is large and open.  Tent sites along with with RV sites but the RV sites are small and very close together.  Some RV sites had electric but no water or sewer.  There is a dump site.  During the summer I think I would get a reservation for the RV sites if you need electric.  If you have the ability to generate your own electric stay in the open tent site area.  The tent site area is large and open to the sun.  Big Springs has flush toilets and hot showers.

There are picnic areas with tables and grills scattered throughout the park along with two group shelters.

The Ranger programs are well worth checking out.  Take advantage.

The Current River makes a wonderful backdrop for nature lovers.  You have the options of hiking, biking, fishing, camping, floating, kayaking, and all sorts of boating with a ramp in the park.

Have Fun - Stay Safe

Leave No Trace

Better Than When You Found It

Memories of Days Gone By

Great little place to stop along the way. Roads are in great condition, water is crisp and very blue, grass is cut and kept up well, playgrounds are clean and tidy. 

Gorgeous Stop

Hot showers. Flush toilets. On the current river and national waterways. Lots of sites spaced apart. Only $8 with senior pass. Electric $2 more. We did first come first serve and had lots of choices on Thursday before Labor Day. 

National forest park

Spacious camp sites. Very few people in the whole campground. Had the whole lower loop to ourselves. Short walk to the river and the spring.

Nice and quiet 

Came here for a solo winter camping trip with my dog. It was really nice. The spring was beautiful and the campsites and amenities were very well kept. 

Beautiful

Great camping!

Big Spring is a great, quiet spot to take in some hiking with access to the Current River. The campground offers 29 electric sites and many more with level pads, picnic tables, lanterns hooks, and fire pits. Loop 200 offers a restroom with flush toilets. Hot showers are less than 10 minute walk. We enjoyed the trail the follows the river right behind the campground. Be sure to check out the Slough trail which takes you right to Big Spring!

A great intro to the Ozarks

Great park lots to do- hiking, swimming, boating, kayaking, etc
Nice paved site a bit on the small side- I have a 36’ 5th wheel and am pushing the max site, older park so smaller site but pretty!

Nice park

This campground is a must visit. Obviously the main attraction is the amazing and magical spring. Flowing 226 million gallons a day! Campground is beautifully manicured and has spacious sites and many options. It's a self serve campground so pay at the front. The hot water in the showers was out but still giving it 5 stars because this place is just great. The cabins are super cute cottages that are being remodeled right now, and I can't wait! The trails are well kept and moderately challenging. I highly recommend camping here dont forget to bring in your own firewood.

Photos of Big Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

Real photos from real campers